Socio-Economic Justice (Graduate Certificate)

Program Overview

The transdisciplinary graduate certificate in socioeconomic justice at ASU equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of economic and social justice. Through a combination of theoretical and practical coursework, students develop expertise in analyzing inequalities, designing policies, and advocating for social change. The program's flexible structure allows students to tailor their learning experience to their specific career goals.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Is justice possible, given wealth gaps and structural abandonment? What of racial capitalism, gendered dynamics of poverty, and possible paths to material well-being? This program enables students to develop expertise in ideas and policies about the social and political phenomena that impact the material condition of injustices. Students investigate the local and global conditions that give rise to economic and ecological precarities and social inequalities, as well as the practices that enable alternative economic approaches to wealth and labor, including wealth sharing, land and food sovereignty, and solidarity economy. The program fuses interests in political economy, structural inequalities, and economic justice, allowing students to develop specialization and expertise in research and policy design in broad areas such as wealth sharing, income and land distribution, housing, food justice, employment, and education.

Objectives:

• Enhance understanding of the interrelations between economic and social inequalities.
• Develop critical analyses of the structures and policies that produce and perpetuate inequalities.
• Gain knowledge of diverse strategies for achieving economic and social justice.
• Cultivate skills in research, policy design, and advocacy for social change.

Overall Description:

The transdisciplinary graduate certificate in socioeconomic justice combines the strengths of various disciplines to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of economic and social justice. The program's emphasis on both theoretical and practical aspects empowers students to actively engage in efforts to achieve a just and equitable society.

Outline:

Required Core (6 credit hours):

• One course from Economic Justice:
• JUS 550 Gender, Race and Economic Justice (3)
• JUS 660 Globalization and Economic Justice (3)
• One course from Conducting Research in Communities:
• JHR 525 Critical Methodologies in Social Justice and Human Rights (3)
• JUS 633 Community Research (3)

Electives (9 credit hours):

• Three elective courses on socioeconomic justice from a restricted list.
• Only one 400-level course may be used with prior approval from the program director.

Structure:

The program is designed to be flexible and adaptable to students' individual interests and needs. Students can choose electives from a variety of disciplines, including economics, sociology, anthropology, political science, law, and public policy. This allows them to tailor their learning experience to their specific career goals.

Course Schedule:

The program offers courses in a variety of formats, including online, hybrid, and in-person.

Careers:

Potential career paths:

• Government
• Law
• Justice-related organizations
• Research think tanks
• Community colleges
• Further graduate studies in justice-related fields

Opportunities:

• The program equips students with the knowledge and skills to address complex social issues and contribute to positive change.
• Graduates are well-prepared for careers in a variety of fields where they can work to promote economic and social justice.

Outcomes:

• Graduates will be able to:
• Analyze the root causes of economic and social inequalities.
• Develop and implement effective strategies for achieving social change.
• Advocate for just and equitable policies.
• Conduct rigorous research on social justice issues.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences about social justice issues.

Other:

• The program is designed to be accessible to students from all backgrounds.
• The program is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
• The program is constantly evolving to reflect the latest research and best practices in the field of socioeconomic justice.

Additionally:

• The program complements the current graduate curriculum at ASU.
• The program is transdisciplinary, intersectional, and transnational.