Become part of a community of students who care deeply about the world, have a desire to grow and meet their full potential, and are excited to tackle tough issues affecting us all.
“Austin has endless opportunities to get involved in change, but it's important to be familiar with the environment we're working with. More than anything, Social Justice encouraged me to be aware and active in my world. It's a supportive community that continually challenges me to see other perspectives and understand the complexities of our world.” — former Social Justice LC member
Quick Facts
Faculty Coordinator: TBD
Capacity: 80 students
Signature Events: Social justice film series, monthly community activities and service opportunities
Founded: 2007; re-imagined for 2015
Fall 2021 Social Justice Courses
Gender in Public Spaces
Gender in Public Spaces
Faculty member teaching this course: Renee Pinchero
We will examine how ideas about masculinity and femininity (as they intersect with our other identities of race, sexual orientation, etc.) and gender/gender identities have been experienced, policed and resisted in everyday public spaces (from the streets to social media). We will also have many opportunities to take our learning outside of the classroom as we investigate course concepts in real time in a variety of public spaces.
Latinx Immigration in the U.S.
Latinx Immigration in the U.S.
Faculty member teaching this course: Perla Delgado
From Drag Race to Moonlight to Fun Home, LGBT stories and artists are becoming increasingly popular. But does pop culture matter? For marginalized communities who don’t often see themselves represented accurately, it can. In this seminar, we will study film, literature, and television to see what it tells us about LGBT identities and communities.
Real to Reel: Exploring Social Justice Activists on Film
Real to Reel: Exploring Social Justice Activists on Film
Faculty member teaching this course: Susan Loughran
There are some people whose devotion to social justice and activism are so extraordinary that Hollywood producers have been motivated to put their lives on film. In this course, we will analyze films that deal with a diverse handful of social activists who might have remained relatively unknown if their lives had not been memorialized on celluloid.
#Woke: Allyship Beyond the Hashtag
#Woke: Allyship Beyond the Hashtag
Faculty member teaching this course: Lionel Lopez
Slacktivism is defined as supporting a social movement online, while providing minimal effort or commitment in person. Have you been looking for a space to discuss gender, sexuality, race, and class? Do you want to learn what you can do to make a real systemic impact on your community? This class is about moving away from performative actions and leaning towards true allyship in order to create revolutionary thought.