Introduction to Social Justice: Identity, Equity, and Action - EDU-X726V

Course Description

Challenge and Analyze Systems of Oppression Through the Lenses of Identity, Power, and Equity to Become an Agent for Change.

Introduction to Social Justice: Identity, Equity, and Action is a foundational course that explores the principles and practices of social justice through the lenses of identity, power, and systemic inequity. Students will engage in critical inquiry and self-reflection to understand how social identities—such as race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, and citizenship—intersect and influence lived experiences within societal structures. This course will examine historical and contemporary movements for justice, analyze systems of oppression, and develop tools for equity-driven action. The course emphasizes the importance of allyship, advocacy, and collective responsibility in creating inclusive and equitable communities. 

Offered through the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional and Continuing Education in collaboration with the university’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences , the program prepares you to apply best practices to plan, deliver and assess character education in the classroom.

This professional development course, is led by distinguished faculty from the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES). SOLES Professional Learning (SPL) educators bring a rich blend of academic expertise and practical, real-world experience to support meaningful learning and application.

Learner Outcomes

• Define key concepts related to social justice, including identity, equity, power, privilege, oppression, and intersectionality 
• Evaluate systems of power and oppression and their impact on marginalized communities across various domains (e.g., education, health, housing, criminal justice)
• Engage in critical self-reflection to understand one's own positionality, biases, and responsibilities in promoting social justice
• Develop actionable strategies for community engagement, advocacy, and allyship in pursuit of social justice and equity

Course Details

Number of Units: 1.0 graduate level extension credits in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for students, educators, community leaders, and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of social justice and apply it in personal, academic, and civic contexts.

Refund Policy: To receive a refund, students need to drop the course through the MyPCE@USD student account portal before midnight (11:59PT) on the third day of the course. The refund of the course fee will be returned less a processing fee of 10% of the course tuition. No refunds will be issued after this deadline.