Social Justice Studies

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Reflect, Imagine, Develop, and Act

The Social Justice Studies program is designed for students who are curious about activism in political, social and economic spheres.

Our program provides students with an opportunity to engage in collective actions to address social problems within their own communities. This means that students gather firsthand experience as activists through both on and off campus collaborative organizing.

woman with microphone stands up from an audience to speak

Students in the SJS program engage in their learning process as a whole human who brings with them their own community histories, identity, and consciousness.

  • Reflect on their community history and their position they have been placed in American society and global systems of inequalities.
  • Imagine what a just world will look like.
  • Develop their vision and blueprint of actions for change.
  • Act on their growing awareness to help shape society into what they collectively imagine.

Career Outlook

Social Justice Studies encourages students to challenge these structures of oppression through the study and application of political organizing. Through hands-on engagement with the art and mechanics of various forms of political organizing, from consciousness building to direct action, students learn how the histories of social movements inform their place in current struggles for justice.

Check out the Social Justice Studies classes offered in upcoming semesters.

Check out the class schedule

Program Type Total Units
Social Justice Studies for Transfer AA-T 60 Units

Social Justice Studies urges students to challenge structures of oppression through the study and application of political organizing. Majoring in Social Justice Studies is a great preparation for upper-division level studies in Ethnic Studies, Gender Studies, Queer Studies, Labor Studies, and Resistance Studies. Through hands-on engagement with the art and mechanics of various forms of political organizing, from consciousness building to direct action, students who major in Social Justice Studies can seek career in community organizing, journalism, law, labor organizing, NPOs, public policies, and lobbyin, among other fields.

Office Information
Location: Building 1
Email: socialsci-creativearts@smccd.edu
Fall 2024 Courses  |  Summer 2024 Courses

Type Status Title Days Time Instructor
Day Class   OPEN SJS 110 - 97650 - Intro to Social Justice Studie
SJS 110 Introduction to Social Justice Studies

An interdisciplinary study of race and ethnicity, and its intersections with gender and class in the United States. Examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socio-economic, cultural and political conditions among key social groups.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 9D3
Transfer Credit: UC; CSU (CSU GE Area D)
C-ID: SJS 130
M W 12:10pm-1:25pm Fabian, R
Online Class OPEN SJS 130 - 97249 - Intro to LGBTQ Studies
SJS 130 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies

Introduction to key themes and critical frameworks in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer (LGBTQ) Studies. Topics include histories of sexuality; forms of oppression including heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia; resistance to oppression; violence against LGBTQ people; queer activism; diverse experiences of sexuality; and representations in literature, art, and popular media.

Units: 3
Degree Credit
Grade Option (Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass)
  • Lecture hours/semester: 48-54
  • Homework hours/semester: 96-108
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
AA/AS Degree Requirements: Area 5a; Area 9D3
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSU GE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4)
C-ID: SJS 130
TBA Amunrud, M

The college catalog contains lists of all courses that we may offer in the current academic year.

View the Full Course Catalog

Social Justice Studies Faculty

Rika Yonemura-Fabian
Rika Yonemura-Fabian (Associate Professor)
Social Science|Creative Arts-Sociology
fabianr@smccd.edu More details »
Mustafa Popal
Mustafa Popal (Assistant Professor)
Social Science|Creative Arts-History
popalm@smccd.edu
BLDG 01- 1101A
More details »
Megan Amundrud
Megan Amundrud (Instructor)
Social Science|Creative Arts-Sociology
amunrudm@smccd.edu More details »

Division Contacts

Lynette Caballero
Lynette Caballero (Division Assistant)
Social Science|Creative Arts-Division Office
caballerol@smccd.edu More details »
Danni Redding Lapuz
Danni Redding Lapuz (Dean)
Social Science|Creative Arts-Division Office
reddinglapuzd@smccd.edu More details »