Center for Social Justice

JAMES A. CASLER, Director of J. V. Morsch Center for Social Justice, Assistant Professor of Social Justice, 2009—
BA, Eastern Nazarene College, 1995; MDiv, Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1999; MSW, University of Kansas, 2005.

Center for Social Justice General Information

Mission Statement

The Center for Social Justice offers a Biblical based, interdisciplinary major leading to a Bachelor of Science in Social Justice. The social justice major provides three areas of concentration: Non-profit and Congregational Leadership, Public Policy, and Environmental Justice. Students will develop critical analysis and solutions to social problems through insights from the fields of law, business, public policy, environmental science, religion, and social work. Through a rich combination of theory, theology, and intensive field experiences students gain knowledge and practical skills to prepare them for a variety of careers including leadership within congregations and social service nonprofits; research and policy analysis positions within local, state, and federal government agencies or advocacy, lobbying, or educational institutions; and staff positions within public agencies or corporations focused on environmental conservation and stewardship.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a Social Justice Major will be able to:

1. Understand Biblical Social Justice in the context of presenting social injustices.
2. Develop a comprehensive action plan and creative solutions to address justice issues.
3. Secure employment in a setting that addresses social justice issues.
4. Be prepared for placement in a graduate program related to their field of interest.

Social Justice BS

All majors will take the core of 39-43 hours and will select one of three professional minors which will count as the student's minor area of study.

Variations for General Education for Social Justice Majors:

• Ethics (PHL 3070) as Philosophy
• Introduction to Environmental Science (SCI 2000) as Lab Science
• Principles of Macroeconomics (ECO 2000) or American Political Institutions (POL 2020) as Institutional Choice
• General Sociology (SOC 2010) as Behavioral Science

Social Justice BS Four-Year Plan: Public Policy Professional Minor

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Social Justice BS Four-Year Plan: Environmental Justice Professional Minor

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Social Justice BS Four-Year Plan: Non-Profit and Congregational Leadership Professional Minor

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Minor in Social Justice

Social Justice Course Descriptions

SOCIAL JUSTICE

SJS 2010 Introduction to Social Justice (3)

As the foundational course for the Social Justice Major, this course will introduce students to a basic biblical theology of justice and acquaint them with the leading secular theories of justice. It will examine historical social justice movements such as abolition and child labor reform and will explore contemporary social justice issues, including poverty, racism, environmentalism, and the criminal justice system, thus giving to students an overview of subjects which will be addressed in depth in other courses of the major.

SJS 2020 Civil Rights Experience (1)

An intensive one-week course in which students will engage in a highly experiential way in the life and writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other key civil rights leaders. Over the course of the week, students will visit key historical sites in Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, and Atlanta important in the struggle for civil rights for African Americans. Course readings will complement these visits, and students will interact with civil rights era veterans and contemporary Christian leaders focused on the ongoing challenge of racial reconciliation. Fee required.

SJS 3010 Introduction to Community Development (3)

Examines the theory, goals, and practice of community economic development and acquaints students with methods of analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy and community. Students will explore such issues as asset-based community development, asset-building strategies, community-oriented economic development strategies such as community and cooperative business development, self-employment and microbusiness, community loan funds and credit unions.

SJS 3020 Theology and Practice of Environmental Justice I (3)

The student will explore introductory theological and literary works in social justice and creation care as it relates to the environment and will apply these works through extensive hands-on, service-learning activities related to ecological restoration and sustainable development. Projects will be coordinated through the Center for Social Justice's environmental programs (e.g., composting initiative, community gardens, Brown's Creek reclamation). Classroom readings and theological reflections and discussions will complement the extensive field experience.

SJS 3025 Theology and Practice of Environmental Justice II (3)

The student will examine advanced theological and literary works in social justice and creation care. At this advanced level, the student will engage in community-based research and directed research projects as related to ecological restoration and sustainable development. Projects will be coordinated through the Center for Social Justice's environmental programs (e.g., biodiesel, community gardens, Brown's Creek reclamation). Classroom readings and discussions will complement the extensive field experience.

SJS 4000 Field Internship in Social Justice (2-6)

Field placement in an internship in the U.S. or abroad. To enhance the internship experience, students will be required to complete key readings related to their proposed field placement, to keep a log of their activities, and to participate in directed debriefing sessions.

SJS 4010 Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship (3)

An introduction to the field of the integration of nonprofit and for-profit worlds. Utilizing case studies, key readings, and primary information sources, students will examine critical issues including sustainability, impact and performance, measuring social return, and leadership qualities demanded by the field. Each student will develop a business plan for a social enterprise.

SJS 4020 Principles of Nonprofit Administration and Management (3)

Acquaints students with the primary components of nonprofit management. Students will learn the process for starting a new nonprofit organization, including legal steps for pursuing tax-exempt status. Students will also be introduced to key areas of nonprofit leadership, including program development and evaluation, strategic planning, board development, grant writing, and volunteer management.

SJS 4110 Senior Seminar in Social Justice I (3)

A capstone course for all majors. Through readings, class presentations, and an applied research project, students will begin to integrate the classes from the various disciplines in which they have studied.

SJS 4120 Senior Seminar in Social Justice II (3)

As a capstone course for all majors, this class will focus upon integrating the learning experience of the interdisciplinary Social Justice curriculum through readings, class presentations, and the student's completion of a senior thesis on a self-selected topic related to the student's concentration.

SJS 4200 The Theology and Readings in Environmental Justice (3)

Faculty directed oversight of classic and/or contemporary readings in literature and theology as these works reflect concerns of environmental justice and creation care.

COURSES FROM OTHER DISCIPLINES

BIB 3100 Biblical Theology of Social Justice (2)

An exploration of social justice as it is depicted in the narrative of the Bible, including creation, torah, the prophetic proclamations, Christ's declaration of the Kingdom of God, and the practices of the first-century church.

CED 3200 Church and Community (3)

Assuming that the church's local context is the primary location of life and witness, this course examines the processes of forming a witnessing people shaped by an outward journey of gospel engagement with their unique context. The course will emphasize skill development in exegesis of the community and the church's interaction with that community.

ECO 3500 Economics of Poverty and Public Policy (3)

An examination of the economic forces that shape poverty and public policy responses. Concepts of equity, efficiency, absolute vs. relative poverty and economic justice will be explored. Alternative approaches to policies in areas such as taxation, income redistribution, poverty, and equal opportunity will be analyzed from the perspective of policymakers and policy advocates.

THE 3100 Theology, History, and Social Movements in Social Justice (2)

An examination and analysis of theological thought and practice of social justice and social justice movements throughout the history of the Christian church, including the church fathers, Catholic social thought, John Wesley, the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, and contemporary theologies of justice. The impact of such thought upon contemporary efforts to pursue justice at home and abroad will also be explored.