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This 18-credit interdisciplinary minor in Politics & Social Justice (PSJ) has been designed for those students who want to understand and change social injustices and are seeking the necessary theoretical and practical tools to do so. The Department of Political Science & International Relations (POSCIR) has developed this interdisciplinary minor that focuses on both local and global social injustice and social movements. Upon completing this minor students shall: (1) understand the causes of domestic and international inequalities in social, economic, and political rights and opportunities, (2) have explored both theoretical and practical solutions towards addressing these inequalities, (3) have gained practical experience working with a social justice organization to address these inequalities.
Students who complete this minor will leave UD with a degree that signals the unique and valuable training and knowledge that can offer them a competitive advantage in a variety of contexts. For example, given the issues with implicit bias and discrimination in many work environments (corporations, academia, government offices), our students would already have the training and language to know about and address such issues. For science, engineering, and health science professionals, this minor could address a deficit in training in many white- and/or male-dominated professions by encouraging students to understand how diversity shapes people's access to everyday resources like medical care, infrastructure, and technological advancements. For students wanting to work in nonprofits, they too will have both the practical experiences and wide understanding of inequality and activism that make them more effective advocates.
Partnering Departments
To establish this interdisciplinary minor, the Department of Political Science & International Relations has partnered with the Departments of Africana Studies, Anthropology, History, Sociology & Criminal Justice, Women & Gender Studies, and the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration.
Academic Requirements
18 credit minor (6 classes total)
9 total credits in political science (3 classes total, 2 required and 1 elective)
9 total credits in partnering departments (1 required and 2 electives)
Required Courses (available to all students from any major):
POSC 230/AFRA 230/WOMS 230: Intro to Politics & Social Justice
AFRA 220: The Civil Rights Movement
POSC 469: Social Justice Practicum (3-credit hybrid course that includes 40 hours of social justice work and some classroom time and course work; prerequisites include: POSC 230, AFRA 220)
At least one additional "Local" elective (see below)
At least one additional "Global" elective (see below)
Electives from Partnering Departments (choose two total)
