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Peace and Justice Studies Concentration
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Credits:
18
Concentration Description
The undergraduate concentration in Peace and Justice Studies treats justice issues as a general class of social and political problems to be understood. It is through understanding of the issues that underlie injustice that society is able to create social change. The mission of the Peace and Justice Studies program is to promote the fair and equitable provision of justice as the path to a more just and humane world.
A Key Element in Your Bachelor’s Degree. The Peace and Justice Studies concentration is accepted in any Cambridge College bachelor’s degree, as open electives. It is often of interest to students doing a bachelor’s degree in human services, multidisciplinary studies or psychology. It also provides valuable understandings to students in other fields who work with people and social change.
Program Outcomes
Students will gain:
- Fundamental understanding of the historical development of concepts of justice
- Basic knowledge of major theories, concepts and processes of justice
- Critical understanding of formalized constructs and procedures designed to impart justice
- Understanding of alternate concepts of justice and social change
- Understanding of the roles of cultural, social and historical forces in shaping concepts of justice
Careers and Further Study
Our students go on to graduate study in human services, psychology, counseling, social work, law, political science, government studies, corrections, law enforcement, forensics, criminology, religious and peace studies. This program can lead to careers in law, government service, corrections, law enforcement, politics, urban and community planning, mediation and management in NGOs, government, and community agencies.
Curriculum
This course explores differing sociological theories of why inequality exists and how it affects us, and offers alternatives toward a more economically and socially just society. While the United States is the main focus, attention is also given to global inequality. The major emphasis is on socio-economic class, including intersections of class with race and gender. Students will learn about the U.S. upper class, middle class, working class, and poverty class.
This seminar will provide students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the justice issues inherent in contemporary social attitudes and institutions. Students will utilize Circles as a forum for in-depth discussion of selected social issues such as race, poverty, juvenile delinquency, crime, war, terrorism, and the death penalty. Issues selected will vary.