10 Introduction to Justice, Community and Leadership
This course introduces students to program themes of justice, community and leadership. Lectures and discussions are complemented by a visit to Glide Memorial Church and community engagement work. In addition, the course gives special emphasis to the theme of social justice in American society and culture—its roots, development, nature and impact. Throughout the course, students explore possible answers to the question: Can we create here in America the kind of “Beloved Community” envisioned in one of the course texts by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Students are required to devote time each week to a service-learning project, essays, intellectual integrations and a self-assessment. Class sessions are supplemented by a biweekly activity lab. Satisfies the Common Good, Community Engagement, and American Diversity requirements of the Core Curriculum. Offered fall and spring.
120 Theory and Inquiry
This course is intended as an advanced introduction to the critical social theory utilized in the JCL program to evaluate political, social, cultural, economic, educational, and environmental justice issues that confront local, regional, national and global communities. Critical social theory is distinct from other forms of critical theory (philosophical, political, literary) yet it is in conversation with them. We will explore the relationships between oppression, power, society, education and social change. Prerequisite: JCL 10 or permission of the instructor. Offered in the fall and spring
130 Environmental Justice
This course focuses on the natural world in which we live and the complex interrelationship between human activities, the values that determine these activities and their consequences for the environment. Course texts and assignments examine different societies’ belief systems along with their responsibility and attitudes toward the environment. Students are required to devote time each week to community engagement, essays, intellectual integrations and a self-assessment. Class sessions are supplemented by a biweekly activity lab. Prerequisites: JCL 10 or permission of instructor. Satisfies the Community Engagement and Common Good requirements of the Core Curriculum. Offered in the spring.
140 The Global Community
The purpose of this course is to gain broad-based exposure to some of the cultural, political and economic issues related to and arising from the processes of globalization. Students will study recent critical dialogues and philosophies of globalization, including issues of ethnicity / race, gender, identity, urban culture, post-nationalism, multiculturalism and postcolonial studies. Students are required to participate in class, lead discussions, write essays and journal responses, give an oral presentation and complete content examinations. Prerequisites: JCL 10 or permission of instructor. Satisfies the Global Perspectives and the Common Good requirements of the Core Curriculum. Offered fall and spring.
150 Advanced Leadership Theory
As part of the core of the Justice, Community and Leadership Program, this course addresses the necessary connection between understanding community and becoming advocates for and agents of change. The course builds on prior JCL courses and deepens the exploration and application of leadership theory and research and addresses the question, “How does knowing leadership theory contribute to my disposition about justice and my ability to enact change with and in communities?” This course serves as the catalyst for putting together the theory and practice of leadership and social change as it emphasizes Friere’s notion of praxis, action and reflection within the world in order to transform community. Students develop proposals for their senior capstone community engagement projects. Prerequisites, JCL 10, JCL 120, junior standing. Offered in the spring.
123 Praxis: Anti-Racist Pedagogy (.25)
The Praxis courses for Education concentration students that coincide with Educ 20, in which students read and discuss anti-racist pedagogy in conjunction with a placement at a Title I elementary school. Offered in the spring.
125 Text-Based Discussion in the Middle School Classroom (.25)
This field-based course trains and gives students hands-on experience in facilitating seminar-style, text-based discussion groups in local middle-school classrooms. Students will learn about and practice an educational style that develops critical skills, speaking, reading, and thinking in open discussion. This course is required of all Teachers for Tomorrow and Education Studies students. This course must be taken before Senior Capstone II. Offered in the fall and spring.
126 Praxis: Advising (.25)
This advising praxis course is required for all students in the Education Studies and TFT concentrations. Offered in the fall and spring and meets for eight sessions.
127 Praxis: Community Service (.25)
129 Praxis: Education (.25)
The Praxis courses are a sequence of optional .25-credit courses. Offered every semester, these courses enable students to involve themselves in structured community service, environmental, public policy or education-related fieldwork. In addition to fieldwork, students meet to discuss their experiences and produce a culminating paper or project. These courses may be repeated for credit as content varies. Satisfies Community Engagement of the Core Curriculum. Offered in the fall and spring.
196 Senior Capstone I
This is the capstone course of Justice, Community and Leadership Program. Students complete an individual thesis that is designed to integrate JCL core courses with a group community engagement project, culminating in a group presentation to the SMC community. Prerequisites: all JCL core classes and senior standing. Satisfies the Common Good and the Community Engagement of the Core Curriculum. Offered in the fall.
190 Senior Capstone II: Assessment and Portfolio (.25)
Students take this course in the semester immediately after Senior Capstone I. The course, which consists of eight sessions, assists students in preparing their academic portfolios and themselves for their assessment interview, which occurs in the latter part of the semester. Prerequisites: Senior Capstone I. Offered in the spring.