Department FAQs
How did the social justice program get started?
Hamline's Social Justice program was
established in 1999 by a group of faculty from the College of Liberal
Arts and the Law School. This group of faculty designed an undergraduate
program focused on understanding and confronting injustice on a
societal scale.
How many students major and minor in social justice?
At any given time there are approximately
25-30 social justice majors attending Hamline University. Each year,
there are approximately 8-12 social justice majors and 6-10 social
justice minors graduating from Hamline University.
How does one become a social justice major or minor?
Students intending to major in social
justice must have their plan for the major approved by a social justice
faculty member, preferably in their first or second year at Hamline.
Majors must complete the social justice introductory and capstone
courses, a course in each of the five breadth of study areas, and five
courses consistent with a chosen area of concentration.
What are some examples of social justice "area of concentration"?
Students' areas of concentration relates
to their future vocational and career preferences. The area of
concentration must related to some sort of social injustice and must be
approved by the program director. Students work with an advisor to
select courses that are consistent with their area of concentration.
Past areas of concentration include: Environmental Quality and Economic
Development; Women, Families and Law,; Disability and Governmental
Policy; American Labor; Native American Studies; Latin American Studies;
Gender and Justice; Justice and the Arts; Elementary Education ; Race
and Racism; International Human Rights.
What types of work are social justice graduates doing?
Social justice graduates have pursued
careers in legislative advocacy, politics, government service, human
services, hunger relief, human rights and peace advocacy, education,
community development, law enforcement and law. Certain Hamline Social
Justice majors have gone on to work for Project for Pride in Living,
Minnesota Public Defender's offices, and even the United Nations.
What do social justice graduates say about the program?
In 2010 the Social Justice program
conducted a survey among social justice alumni. Participants were asked
to rate their agreement with statements on a 1 to 5 scale with 5
representing "strongly agree," 4 representing "somewhat agree," 3
representing a neutral response, 2 representing "somewhat disagree," and
1 representing "strongly disagree. When given the statement "The Social
Justice Program at Hamline University has positively impacted how I
approach social and political issues" participants responded with an
average score of 4.72. Participants responded to the statement "I would
recommend the Social Justice Program to someone starting at Hamline
University" with an average score of 4.76. The report also included an
overwhelming number of positive written responses from students. One
social justice graduate observed:
"This program continues to, and
always will, influence my social and political alignment in a positive
way that enables me to be a compassionate human being and an instrument
of change."
Why is the social justice an interdisciplinary program rather than a department?
Social problems in our society do not stem from a single source. They
are the result of a complex web of social forces, social structures,
institutions and traditions. As a part of a multidisciplinary program
Hamline's social justice major prepares students to understand the
complex influences of social justice issues by challenging them to
engage in courses that approach social justice from a variety of
disciplinary perspectives. Approaching social justice from a
multidisciplinary stance ensures that students are exposed to a number
of different social movements and thinkers that have envisioned a more
just society, as well as skills in legal systems, advocacy, and social
science. The program is designed to inform and empower students as they
prepare to work empowering others. The program's area of concentration
allows students to tailor their own individual approach to social
justice issues