Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Do you seek a deeper understanding of current issues and trends in our society? If the answer is yes, the Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Emphasis can provide you with the knowledge to be a leading driver of change.

The Equity and Social Justice Emphasis (ESJ) offers students a unique opportunity to study the social, economic, cultural, and political forces that have shaped historic and contemporary experiences of our diverse communities. Students engage in an interdisciplinary examination of various dimensions of human diversity – including race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, and more – with a focus on social justice and change.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this emphasis will be able to:

• Identify historical and contemporary issues based on social location/identities, including a primary focus on race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, ability and age;
• Critically analyze power structures, oppression, and privilege;
• Create strategies and tools for empowerment, transformation, and social justice;
• Work and communicate effectively with peers and diverse perspectives to build solidarity within and outside the class.

AA-DTA with Emphasis in Equity and Social Justice (pdf)

Undergraduate Majors

Students who choose an A.A. or A.S. with an ESJ emphasis can transfer to four-year schools to major in a variety of related disciplines, including:

• Ethnic Studies
• Cultural or Media Studies
• Gender Studies
• Environmental Studies
• Disability Studies
• Sexuality/Queer Studies
• Law/Political Science
• Sociology
• Migration Studies
• And many others

(Note: Although the ESJ Emphasis does not serve as a formal transfer path to any university, some courses may meet prerequisites to enter related major or minor programs.)

Contact

For more information, contact
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Division
206.934.4164
AHSS.Central@seattlecolleges.edu