With registration for Spring 2022 beginning this week, students are often overwhelmed with navigating the proper classes to add to their cart. With all of the General Ed and major courses, labs, and upper divisions, it can definitely be a challenge for all students. However, the Social Sciences department is offering a social justice course for students, titled SSCI 320, optimized for students who hope to make a change in the future.

Last Weds., Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJS) professor, Caitlin Kelly Henry, hosted an informational Zoom meeting to explain what SSCI 320 will look like for students. She was accompanied by alumni who had previously attended the class, who gave testimonials about their experiences and growth with the class. 

The SSU social justice organizing class is optimal for those who want to contribute to social justice, would like to expand their network, improve in media skills, and contribute to the overall initiative to make a social change. Although the class is fast-paced and involves creating different kinds of media, no prior experience is required.

Henry explained what students can expect to gain from taking the course, stating that students will, “learn how local social justice issues are embedded in societal structures of inequalities, colonialism, imperialism, and various other types of discrimination.” Henry also went on to say that students will also “develop a theoretical human betterment and social change,” and “become familiar with local and international social justice issues and organizations.” Throughout the course of the semester, students will also engage with the Black Lives Matter movement, learn about different types of indigenous land and what types of indigenous social activists are involved with the local area.

Students will then be developing and applying their skills as they, “plan, develop, and participate in the 2022 Social Justice Week conference. Students will also use social media and websites, advertise and recruit for social media events, engage in teams to moderate panels, coordinate talks while serving as a liaison to speakers, and more. They will be able to take advantage of many different materials and opportunities through the class itself,” Henry said about the class.

Shannon Ottens, a recent graduate, expressed how her learning experience was one of the “most impactful learning experiences” she has had. While Ottens was able to develop skills to facilitate Zoom sessions and promotions, she also cited SSCI 320 for providing her with the knowledge and confidence to build her career in social justice.

The course is a hands-on learning experience that incorporates the usage of different creative skills to perform outreach. Some of the students are able to use software such as Canva to create posters or flyers for upcoming events and others use the many different social media platforms to increase their impact or call to action. 

Another Sonoma State graduate, Danielle Caballero, mentioned that it made her “feel more involved” as the class has local guest speakers who speak about different social justice issues, because of the local advocacy that the class provides for the community on and off-campus. She also explained that one of the most memorable learning moments was when the class went over “people-centered language”. This is when “you focus on the person and not the label,” so for example, instead of saying an ‘ex-con’ or an ‘ex-felon’, you would just refer to them as “someone who committed a felony.”

Jose Gonzalez, an SSU student, and attendee of the informational event, mentioned that, “students often learn a lot in an academic setting. However, this information only goes so far until you are able to apply it. This is why I believe SSCI 320 could be beneficial, because it is a class that allows students to turn knowledge into skills, through hands-on work.”

This class can be taken for two or three units. The difference between the units is that those with fewer units will have fewer assignments to complete, as opposed to those in the three-unit class. All students will work toward the same goals and focus on the same social injustices, while also being able to do the hands-on work, outreach, promotion, hosting, and creation. This course will be an opportunity of a lifetime for any student during the spring semester, and there will be no pre-requisite requirements for interested students. Students interested in making a change in their community in terms of social justice should keep their eye on this class, as it is bound to fill up quickly.