Social Justice Studies
Overview
Starting Fall 2019 American River College is offering two Social Justice Studies degrees. Social Justice Studies is an interdisciplinary AA-T degree program that combines core courses in social justice with related coursework in a variety of disciplines, including History, English, Sociology, and Psychology.
Students in the program will:
- Research theoretical perspectives and critical theories on social justice
- Analyze power, privilege, and oppression
- Study historical origins of social justice
- Assess artistic works that examine oppression, power, and justice
Some of the core courses include:
- SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies
- SJS 310 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
- SOC 320 Minorities in America
- SOC 342 Gender Relations in America
See a counselor for more details and a complete listing of all course options!
Roadmaps
Roadmaps lay out all of the courses you need to take for a given degree or certificate.
AA-T/AS-T Transfer Degrees
- Social Justice Studies: Race and Ethnicity AA-T Degree - Chicano studies (Full Time) Map
- Social Justice Studies: Race and Ethnicity AA-T Degree - Chicano studies (Part Time) Map
- Social Justice Studies: Race and Ethnicity AA-T Degree - ethnic studies (Full Time) Map
- Social Justice Studies: Race and Ethnicity AA-T Degree - ethnic studies (Part Time) Map
- Social Justice Studies: Women, Gender, and LGBTQ Studies AA-T Degree - LGBTQ (Full Time) Map
- Social Justice Studies: Women, Gender, and LGBTQ Studies AA-T Degree - LGBTQ (Part Time) Map
- Dean Kathy Sorensen
- Department Chair Pam Chao
- HomeBase People, Culture, and Society HomeBase
- Phone (916) 484-8283
- Email AskHB-PCS@arc.losrios.edu
Associate Degrees for Transfer
A.A.-T. in Social Justice Studies: Race and Ethnicity
The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies: Race and Ethnicity for Transfer (AA-T) program provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements for transfer to a California State University. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students should work closely with their American River College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majors related to Race and Ethnicity at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU and the degree may only transfer to specific institutions.
Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) requirements (pursuant to SB1440, §66746):
• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
All ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2025
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core: | ||
| SJS 300 | Introduction to Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| SJS 310 | Introduction to LGBTQ Studies | 3 |
| SOC 321 | Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States | 3 |
| List A: | ||
| A minimum of 9 units from the following: | 9 | |
| Select three courses from at least two of the following areas: | ||
| Area 1: History or Government | ||
| HIST 320 | History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3) | |
| HIST 321 | History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3) | |
| HIST 323 | History of the United States: The American Indian Experience (3) | |
| HIST 325 | History of Asian/Pacific Americans (3) | |
| HIST 327 | History of the Chicano/Mexican American (3) | |
| Area 2: Arts and Humanities | ||
| ENGLT 330 | African American Literature (3) | |
| or ENGLT 486 | Honors African American Literature (3) | |
| ENGLT 334 | Asian-American Literature (3) | |
| ENGLT 335 | Latino, Mexican-American, and Chicano Literature (3) | |
| ENGLT 338 | Native American Literature (3) | |
| HUM 320 | Asian Humanities (3) | |
| Area 3: Social Sciences | ||
| ANTH 334 | Native Peoples of North America (3) | |
| HSER 330 | Issues of Diverse Populations (3) | |
| or PSYC 365 | Issues of Diverse Populations (3) | |
| JOUR 320 | Race and Gender in the Media (3) | |
| SOC 342 | Gender Relations in American Society (3) | |
| Area 4: Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| PSYC 330 | Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3) | |
| or STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics (4) | |
| or STAT C1000H | Introduction to Statistics - Honors (4) | |
| Area 5: Major Preparation | ||
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology (3) | |
| or PSYC C1000H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors (3) | |
| SOC 300 | Introductory Sociology (3) | |
| or SOC 480 | Introductory Sociology - Honors (3) | |
| Total Units: | 18 | |
The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies: Race and Ethnicity for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- research how theoretical perspectives and critical theories on social justice inform the social, political, economic, historical, and cultural circumstances surrounding justice as they relate to race and ethnicity as well as other intersectional aspects of life in society.
- define and analyze power and oppression to better understand how they operate at the individual, cultural, institutional, and systemic levels.
- explain how intersectional formations of social identity reflecting various levels of power and privilege impact social justice at the individual, cultural, institutional, and systemic levels.
- recognize the historical origins and similarities and differences in struggles for social justice among different ethnic and racial groups.
- assess artistic works that examine oppression, power, and justice as they relate to race and ethnicity.
Career Information
The AA-T degree provides students with a solid foundation in Social Justice Studies as well as prerequisites for upper division coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree in a variety of Areas of Emphasis. The degree gives students a pathway to possibilities, options, and baccalaureate degrees focusing on social justice. In addition, a student can use the AA-T in Social Justice Studies to get into a CSU and then complete a graduate degree in a related field. Students with degrees in this field often assume careers as (or in) the following: activists, community organizers, political campaigners, human rights groups, religious organizations, international agencies, lobbyists, and mediators. This program is also an excellent starting point for students interested in a career in law, law enforcement, social work, clinical psychology, social science, politics, business, education, or public policy.
A.A.-T. in Social Justice Studies: Women, Gender, and LGBTQ Studies
The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies: Women, Gender, and LGBTQ Studies for Transfer (AA-T) program provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements for transfer to a California State University. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students should work closely with their American River College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majors related to Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, and/or Queer Studies at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU and the degree may only transfer to specific institutions.
Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) requirements (pursuant to SB1440, §66746):
• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
All ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2025
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core: | ||
| SJS 300 | Introduction to Social Justice Studies | 3 |
| SJS 310 | Introduction to LGBTQ Studies | 3 |
| SOC 342 | Gender Relations in American Society | 3 |
| List A: | ||
| A minimum of 9 units from the following: | 9 | |
| Select three courses from at least two of the following areas: | ||
| Area 1: History or Government | ||
| HIST 330 | Women in American History (3) | |
| POLS 342 | Women and Politics from a Global Perspective (3) | |
| Area 2: Arts and Humanities | ||
| ENGLT 360 | Women in Literature (3) | |
| ENGLT 365 | Introduction to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Literature (3) | |
| Area 3: Social Sciences | ||
| ANTH 336 | Anthropology of Sex, Sexuality and Gender (3) | |
| HSER 330 | Issues of Diverse Populations (3) | |
| or PSYC 365 | Issues of Diverse Populations (3) | |
| JOUR 320 | Race and Gender in the Media (3) | |
| PSYC 356 | Human Sexuality (3) | |
| PSYC 361 | Psychology of Women in a Multicultural Society (3) | |
| SOC 321 | Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3) | |
| Area 4: Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| PSYC 330 | Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3) | |
| or STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics (4) | |
| or STAT C1000H | Introduction to Statistics - Honors (4) | |
| Area 5: Major Preparation | ||
| HIST 308 | History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3) | |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology (3) | |
| or PSYC C1000H | Introduction to Psychology - Honors (3) | |
| SOC 300 | Introductory Sociology (3) | |
| or SOC 480 | Introductory Sociology - Honors (3) | |
| Total Units: | 18 | |
The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies: Women, Gender, and LGBTQ Studies for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- research how theoretical perspectives and critical theories on social justice inform the social, political, economic, historical, and cultural circumstances surrounding justice as they relate to gender, sexuality, and race as well as other intersectional aspects of life in society.
- define and analyze power and oppression to better understand how they operate at the individual, cultural, institutional, and systemic levels.
- explain how intersectional formations of social identity reflecting various levels of power and privilege impact social justice at the individual, cultural, institutional, and systemic levels.
- recognize the historical origins and similarities and differences in struggles for social justice among diverse groups.
- assess artistic works and political achievements that expose oppression and injustice as they relate to women, gender, or the LGBTQ community.
Career Information
The AA-T degree provides students with a solid foundation in Social Justice Studies as well as prerequisites for upper division coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree in a variety of Areas of Emphasis. The degree gives students a pathway to possibilities, options, and baccalaureate degrees focusing on social justice. In addition, a student can use the AA-T in Social Justice Studies to get into a CSU and then complete a graduate degree in a related field. Students with degrees in this field often assume careers as (or in) the following: activists, community organizers, political campaigners, human rights groups, religious organizations, international agencies, lobbyists, and mediators. This program is also an excellent starting point for students interested in a career in law, law enforcement, social work, clinical psychology, any social science, politics, business, education, or public policy.
Social Justice Studies (SJS) Courses
SJS 299 Experimental Offering in Social Justice Studies
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
This is the experimental courses description.
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SJS 110
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
This interdisciplinary course introduces students to the theoretical and practical foundations of social justice and the social processes that create and resist oppression. It covers the sociology, history, and psychology of oppressions based upon race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and other group identities in the United States and the corresponding social justice movements for liberation. It investigates how creating and undoing asymmetrical power relations are linked to social structures, institutional processes, and culture. Additionally, it provides a basis for a better understanding of socioeconomic, political, and cultural conditions of key social groups in the United States. Topics include theoretical foundations of social justice and oppression, history and politics of group identity, culture and ideologies, forms of oppression, privilege, and forms of resistance. Field trips may be required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- define the foundational theories within social justice studies.
- differentiate between oppression and other forms of mistreatment.
- explain power asymmetry as it is linked to social structure and institutional processes.
- analyze theories on how identity is created for groups in a society via power, economic, political, and cultural structures.
- summarize the modern histories and experiences of groups oppressed because of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality in the United States.
- compile contributions of oppressed groups to the development of American society.
- assess the complex intersections and relationships within and across race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities.
- identify and analyze the role of culture in oppression and in empowerment, including art, film, literature, or music reflecting different groups.
- understand theories on how and why groups resist.
- identify struggles for social justice, liberation, and decolonization.
- apply how privilege and oppression operate in the major institutions of the United States, including education, health care, the economy, and the criminal justice system.
SJS 310 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SJS 130
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
This course introduces students to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) studies. It explores how LGBTQ individuals and communities are impacted by various social, cultural, historical, and political factors. Topics include politics of sexuality and sexual identities; forms of oppression including heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia, as well as resistance to oppression, violence against LGBTQ individuals and communities, and queer activism. This course also includes contemporary issues in families, education, religion, and the law.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- analyze the various ways people identify their sexual orientation and/or their gender identity and expression.
- explore the intersections of homophobia, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, racism, classism, ageism, ableism and other intersecting identities within the context of LGBTQ political struggles in the United States.
- assess theories about sexual orientation and gender identity and expression within the context of feminist theory, gender theory, and queer theory.
- examine the continuous evolution of legal policies and societal views of LGBTQ people on a global level.
- examine sexual orientation and gender identity within Native American, African American, Chicano/a and Latino/a, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and recent immigrant communities in the United States.
- identify key individuals and describe their roles and contributions to domestic and international LGBTQ struggles for full human rights.
- assess the impact of hate crimes on LGBTQ individuals, the LGBTQ community, the community at large, and public policy.
- research the history of public health policy in the United States as well as internationally to explore the ways that LGBTQ people have consistently suffered under homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic policies.
- examine the evolution of LGBTQ culture in literature, the media, and the arts.
- explore the impact of our education system on the ability of LGBTQ individuals and communities to achieve social justice and equity.
SJS 499 Experimental Offering in Social Justice Studies
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
This is the experimental courses description.
Faculty
Programs and Majors
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