The Peace and Social Justice Studies Program at Oakton College is committed to the rigorous study of social injustice and oppression in personal, local and global realities. This concentration provides a broad approach to studying peace and social justice through courses in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. In our courses, you will learn about important social justice issues like:
Anti-Black and structural racism.
Sexism.
Discrimination against diverse gendered people.
Xenophobia and migrant issues.
The exploitation of labor.
The Environmental Crisis.
Through our courses and co-curricular campus activities, you will explore past and ongoing movements, as well as diverse philosophies and theories of social change to help envision and work towards just and peaceful alternatives.
We support and aim to contribute to creative activities on campus and in our communities to support struggles for justice in local and global contexts. We seek to encourage students, faculty members, administrators and staff members to:
Address conflicts/injustice caused by racism, sexism, gender/sexual discrimination, xenophobia, environmental degradation, ableism, globalization and capitalism;
Analyze and engage in social movements for justice and peaceful transformation;
Discuss ideas of non-violence, peace and social justice through engagement with actual conflicts
Discuss ethical theories of peace, non-violence and social justice;
Identify and think through the issues raised by conflicts and suffering on personal, local and global levels;
Envision ways to peaceful transformation and/or resolution to conflicts;
Live their own lives in ways that embody the principles of peace, social justice, and responsible environmental stewardship.
Degrees and Certificates
Students meeting the requirements for the concentration will have a notation added to their transcript indicating successful completion. To receive this designation, you must complete a Peace and Social Justice Studies concentration completion form and meet with the Peace and Social Justice Studies Program coordinator. Learn more from our course catalog below.
The Peace and Social Justice Studies Program at Oakton College is committed to the exploration of diverse ideas and practices of social justice and non-violence which have emerged in response to conflicts and suffering around the world. We envision a broad approach to the study of peace and social justice, one that includes courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
We support and aim to contribute to creative activities which encourage non-violence and social justice in our local and global communities.
We seek to encourage students, faculty members, administrators, and staff members to:
Discuss and debate ideas of non-violence, peace and social justice through engagement with actual conflicts around the world;
Draw out the political, social, racial, ethnic, national, economic, environmental, and/or religious dimensions that define and shape actual conflicts and struggles;
Examine and critically evaluate ethical theories of peace, non-violence and social justice;
Identify and think through the issues raised by conflicts and suffering on personal, local and global levels;
Envision ways to peaceful transformation and/or resolution to conflicts;
Live their own lives in ways that embody the principles of peace, social justice, and responsible environmental stewardship.
What's Next?
We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.
