Social Justice

If you are inspired to work with diverse communities to promote equity and meaningful change, the Social Justice major is where you begin your journey.

Gain the knowledge and skills to work within communities to promote equity. Engage with issues you are passionate about, while applying classroom learning to social justice contexts. Through this program you will critically analyze social structures and act creatively and collaboratively with diverse communities to promote meaningful change.

Coursework and community engagement foster critical reflection on individual positionality and responsibility in the context of power, privilege, and oppression. Students will analyze social structures that perpetuate injustice and identify alternative models for social transformation.

Community-engaged learning provides opportunities to apply ethical concepts to hands-on work with marginalized communities. Social justice knowledge and skills culminate with a faculty-mentored, community-based research project focused on a contemporary issue. The program is flexible enough to accommodate a double major.

Career Paths

Social justice careers flourish in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, think tanks, human rights and peace organizations, legislative advocacy, religious institutions, education, law, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, healthcare, journalism, law enforcement, and the arts.

Degrees Offered

BA

Course Catalog

Learning Outcomes

Office Hours

Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Admissions and Aid

A degree from a top-ranked, private University like Dominican is deliberately affordable and accessible! More than 99 percent of our first-year incoming students receive significant financial aid through merit- and need-based scholarships as well as state and federal aid. Additionally, for most students, there is no application fee, and we don't ask for test scores. Get in touch with a counselor to learn more about your path to an exceptional college experience at Dominican!

Learn More About Admissions and Aid

Engaging with the Community

Partnering with various organizations in the San Rafael community, students work hand-in-hand to solve pressing issues in the area. Learn more by clicking the image.

Social Justice in the News

Faculty and Staff

Julia van der Ryn headshot

Julia van der Ryn, MA

Executive Director Center for Community Engagement and Partnerships Associate Professor, Philosophy and Social Justice
George Faithful headshot

George Faithful, PhD

Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy
Laura Stivers headshot

Laura Stivers, PhD

Professor, Philosophy, Religion, Social Justice Co-Chair Division of Public Affairs
Jennifer Lucko headshots

Jennifer Lucko, PhD

Professor and Co-Chair of Education Department
dominican seal

Lucia León, PhD

Assistant Professor, Latino Studies and Social Justice
Gay Lynch headshot

Gay Lynch, PhD

Assistant Professor, Humanities
Cynthia Taylor

Cynthia Taylor, PhD

Associate Professor of History
Natalie Babler headshot

Natalie Babler

Administrative Manager
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Three students walking together on the Dominican campus.

La Vida Dominican

La Vida Dominican is a program for all students, increasing educational access and connection to support services, enabling degree completion and post-graduation success. Particularly, La Vida is centering experiences of students from Latinx and other historically underserved backgrounds.

Learn More About La Vida Dominican