Higher Education: Social Justice/Inclusion in HE

Explores cultural pluralism philosophies, racial identity development, racial incidences, and educational practices related to racism and diversity for implementation in higher education.

Open to Graduate and PACE students only. International students register for this section.

This is a graduate-level seminar focused on theoretical, methodological, policy, and praxis matters related to social justice and inclusion of and for persons with marginalized identities in higher education. Guided by a strengths-based perspective, students will critically evaluate scholarly literature from interdisciplinary sources to better understand 1) social stratification in higher education; 2) historical, institutional/organizational and social psychological barriers that have systematically shaped achievement outcomes; and 3) strengths-based strategies to eliminate barriers for students at both macro- and micro-levels and at policy, institutional, and individual levels. Throughout the course, discussion will explore efforts to mitigate inequities, enhance understanding, and to advance change toward justice and inclusion in postsecondary education. This course is offered in both a hybrid/in-person modality and a hy-flex modality. Please be sure you sign up for the appropriate section.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. Connect and build meaningful relationships with others while recognizing the multiple intersecting identities, perspectives, and developmental differences people hold. 2. Identify systems of socialization that influence one’s multiple identities and sociopolitical perspectives and how they shape lived experiences. 3. Critically reflect upon in/exclusion, power, privilege, racism, and implicit bias and one’s professional responsibilities related to institutionalized systems of oppression in higher education contexts. 4. Understand how one is affected by and maintains systems of oppression, privilege, and power. 5. Develop understanding of the salience of dominant and oppressed/marginalized identities as they relate to the system of higher education. 6. Articulate, integrate, and apply knowledge of social justice, inclusion, oppression, privilege, and power to educational practice. 7. Advocate regarding issues of social justice, oppression, privilege, and power based upon local, national, and global interconnections.

Evaluation of course learning will be completed through the following general assignment descriptions: Class participation, praxis paper, class discussion lead, research paper, and a digital storytelling project.