Open with certain restrictions to all majors.

Program Mission/Objectives

Social justice is a social philosophy that emphasizes the social, political and economic equality of all persons. The Social Justice minor provides students with opportunities to consider the meanings and dimensions of social justice, to critically examine various forms of injustice, and to engage in social justice work through participation in experiential learning. The program is designed to help students consider the intersectional nature of all types of injustice and the multiple means of addressing injustice through education, research, and social activism. Students will examine histories of injustice, people’s experiences of injustice, policies and institutions that reproduce injustice or promote justice, and collective actions and social movements that lead to social justice. The interdisciplinary design of the minor allows students to explore social justice from a variety of perspectives, while the minor’s grounding in sociology provides students with skills in sociological analysis, critical thinking and communication. The Social Justice minor supports SUNY Potsdam’s mission by preparing students to be engaged global citizens who are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. Career path possibilities for the graduate with a Social Justice minor include careers in advocacy, non-profit, and human service organizations as well as research in social science, policy and educational arenas.