Peace & Social Justice Studies

P&SJ Courses Offered Fall 2009

Introduction to Global Studies (SSC 201)
Des Plaines Campus
Tuesday / Thursday, 12:30 – 1:45 pm
Tuesday / Thursday, 9:30 – 10:45 am (honors tandem course with PHL 106)

Ray Hartstein Campus
Monday / Wednesday, 11:00 – 12:15 pm
Monday, 6:30 – 9:20 pm

Ethics: Peace and Social Justice Studies Section* (PHL 106)
Des Plaines Campus
Monday / Wednesday, 9:30 – 10:45 am
Tuesday / Thursday, 9:30 – 10:45 am
Tuesday / Thursday, 11:00 – 12:15 pm (honors tandem course with SSC 201)

Social Psychology* (PSY 202)
Des Plaines Campus
Monday / Wednesday, 12:30 – 1:45 pm

Social Problems* (SOC 103)
Des Plaines Campus
Tuesday / Thursday, 11:00 – 12:15 pm
Tuesday, 6:30 – 9:20 pm
On-Line Section
SOC 103:0C1

* Fulfills IAI general Education requirements.

Peace & Social Justice Studies Concentration
(18 semester credit hours)

The Peace & Social Justice Studies Concentration is an eighteen (18) semester hour program designed to provide students study and discussion of diverse histories, philosophies, theologies, and ethics of peace, non-violence, and social justice that have emerged in response to conflicts, tensions and suffering around the world. The program presents a broad, interdisciplinary approach to the study of peace and social justice, one that includes courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It establishes a unique foundation for the pursuit of various majors upon transfer, including, peace studies, international relations, sociology, psychology, or philosophy, among many others.

Most courses included in the concentration meet the general education requirements and have IAI transfer codes.  However, students should work closely with the Peace & Social Justice Studies Coordinator to ensure that they are taking the needed courses in each general education area and are not taking more than one course with the same IAI number. 

Students meeting the requirements for the concentration will have a notation added to their transcript indicating successful completion. In order to receive this designation, students must complete a Peace & Social Justice Studies Concentration Completion Form and meet with the Peace & Social Justice Studies Coordinator.

Required Courses

• SSC 201 – Introduction to Global Studies, 3 semester credit hours
• PHL 106 – Ethics: Peace Studies Section, 3 semester credit hours

Choose One of the Following

• PSY 202 – Social Psychology, 3 semester credit hours
• SOC 103 – Social Problems, 3 semester credit hours

Choose three (3) additional courses that are designated as Peace & Social Justice Studies courses or sections.  A comprehensive list of approved sections each semester is available on this website and in the class schedule.

For more information, please contact Madhuri Deshmukh, Peace & Social Justice Studies Coordinator, 847-376-7032, mdeshmuk@oakton.edu.

Academic Concentration Program-Level Learning Objectives

Students will:
Define, categorize and utilize diverse concepts of non-violence, peace and social justice within the context of international and interpersonal conflict situations.

• Explore and articulate the interdependence of ecosystems, cultures, nations and peoples.
• Identify and describe realities of violence and injustice in global economic and political systems and explore non-violent alternatives.
• Articulate non-violence as a philosophical concept and demonstrate knowledge of non-violence as a strategy of social transformation.
• Examine the dynamics of specific conflicts, identifying the political, social, racial, ethnic, national, economic, environmental, and/or religious dimensions that define and shape them.
• Examine and critically evaluate the ethical theories that address peace, non-violence and social justice.
• Identify and describe social pressures exerted upon us in areas such as deviance, prejudice, and conformity and /or identify and describe contemporary social problems that arise because of norms, systems of stratification, and the failure of social institutions to fulfill their functions.
• Apply course content and interpersonal skills necessary to build and maintain effective social relationships and to become an active participant in our society.
• Develop strategies for peaceful resolution of conflicts internationally, in their local communities, and in their personal lives.
• Develop skills for peaceful resolution of conflict through role play, debates, field trips, service learning, modern language learning, use of appropriate intercultural communication skills, international field study experiences, and internships in peace and social justice organizations.