About Social Justice Studies
Prepare for a BA in a field related to Social Justice
Social Justice Studies AA-Ts introduce students to the study of ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, and economic inequality, engaging them with theories and practices of social change in a range of fields. In our interdisciplinary courses, students explore history, culture, and contemporary issues, preparing to transfer and pursue a baccalaureate degree in a field related to Social Justice.
Explore Potential Careers
Studying Social Justice Studies can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the options you may be interested in pursuing.
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officer
- Social Worker
- Educator
- Human Services Professional
- Politician
- Counselor
- Sociologist
Program Options
Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.
Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.
View Requirements in College Catalog
Required Courses
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
|
| AFAM 30 |
African American Consciousness |
3.00 |
|
| IDST 37 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies |
3.00 |
|
| AND one of the following: |
|
|
|
| LGBT 5 |
Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies |
3.00 |
|
| OR |
|
|
|
| WGST 25 |
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Feminism Demystified |
3.00 |
|
Total Units: 9.00
Select three courses from at least two of the following discipline areas:
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
|
Area 1: History and Government
HIST 41A |
African American History From Ancestral West Africa to the Civil War
|
3.00 |
|
| HIST 41B |
20th Century African American History from the Reconstruction to 21st Century |
3.00 |
|
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
|
Area 2: Arts and Humanities
AFAM 40 |
The Black Experience in California |
3.00 |
|
| AFAM 55 |
From Funk to Hip Hop |
3.00 |
|
| HUM 48 |
African-American Music, Art and Literature |
3.00 |
|
| IDST 36 |
Poetry for the People |
3.00 |
|
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
|
Area 3: Social Science
AFAM 42 |
Origins and History of Race Theory and Modern Racism |
3.00 |
|
| AFAM 60 |
African American Women in the U.S. |
3.00 |
|
| ECON 30 |
Economics of the African American Community |
3.00 |
|
| LGBT 50 |
LGBT Communities of Color in the U.S. |
3.00 |
|
| PSYC 23 |
Psychology of Race and Ethnic Relations |
3.00 |
|
Area 4: Quantitative Reasoning and Research Methods
LALS 5 |
Intro to Statistical Methods in Latin American and Latino/a Studies |
5.00 |
|
Total Units: 18.00 - 20.00
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| IDST 37 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies |
3 |
|
| ENGL 1A + 1AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
4 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area E |
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development |
3 |
|
| ASAM 20 |
Asian American Experience Since 1820 |
3 |
|
| |
Additional CSU Transferable Units |
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 18
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| WGST 25 |
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Feminism Demystified |
3 |
|
|
CSU GE Area B4 |
Math / Quantitative Reasoning |
3 - 8 |
|
| CSU GE Area A3 |
Critical Thinking |
3 - 4 |
|
| Additional Major Requirement- Area 1: Humanities |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area C1 |
Arts |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 21
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
|
Additional Major Requirement-Area 2: Social Sciences and Area Studies |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B1 |
Physical Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area B3 |
Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) |
1 |
|
| CSU GE Area A1 |
Oral Communication |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 19
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| Additional Major Requirement-Area 2: Social Sciences and Area Studies |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B2 |
Life Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| Additional CSU GE Area C1 or C2 |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| POLS 1 |
U.S. Government |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 20
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| IDST 37 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies |
3 |
|
| ENGL 1A + 1AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
4 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area A1 |
Oral Communication |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area E |
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 18
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
|
CSU GE Area B4 |
Math / Quantitative Reasoning |
3 - 8 |
|
| CSU GE Area A3 |
Critical Thinking |
3 - 4 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| CSU GE Area C1 |
Arts |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 23
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
|
LGBT 5 or WGST 25 |
Introduction to Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Studies or Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Feminism Demystified |
3 |
|
| AFAM 30 or ASAM 20 or HIST 15A or LALS 1 |
African American Consciousness or Asian American Experience Since 1820 or History of the American Indian: Eastern Tribes or Latino/a Diaspora: The Impact of Latinos Living in the United States |
3 |
|
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| CSU GE Area B1 |
Physical Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area B3 |
Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) |
1 |
|
| CSU Graduation Requirement Group 2 |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 21
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| POLS 1 |
U.S. Government |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B2 |
Life Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| Additional CSU GE Area C1 or C2 |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 22
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| WGST 25 |
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Feminism Demystified |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area E |
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B4 |
Math / Quantitative Reasoning |
3 - 8 |
|
| ENGL 1A + 1AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
4 - 6 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 23
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
|
IDST 37 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area A3 |
Critical Thinking |
3 - 4 |
|
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area C1 |
Arts |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 16
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
|
LGBT 5 or LBCS 70A |
Introduction to Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Studies or Who Built America? From the Colonial Era to the Civil War to the Reconstruction |
3 |
|
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| POLS 1 |
U.S. Government |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B1 |
Physical Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area A1 |
Oral Communication |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 18
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU GE Area C1 or C2 |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| CSU GE Area B2 |
Life Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area B3 |
Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) |
1 |
|
| CSU Graduation Requirement Group 2 |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 21
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| IDST 37 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies |
3 |
|
| CSU Graduation Requirement Group 2 |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| ENGL 1A + 1AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
4 - 6 |
|
| Additional CSU GE Area C1 or C2 |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| CSU GE Area E |
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development |
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 20
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
|
WGST 25 |
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Feminism Demystified |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B4 |
Math / Quantitative Reasoning |
3 - 8 |
|
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area A3 |
Critical Thinking |
3 - 4 |
|
| CSU GE Area C1 |
Arts |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 21
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
|
LGBT 5 |
Introduction to Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Studies |
3 |
|
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| POLS 1 |
U.S. Government |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B1 |
Physical Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area A1 |
Oral Communication |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 18
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B2 |
Life Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area B3 |
Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) |
1 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 19
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| IDST 37 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies |
3 |
|
| WGST 25 |
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Feminism Demystified |
3 |
|
| ENGL 1A + 1AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
4 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area E |
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 18
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CSU GE Area B4 |
Math / Quantitative Reasoning |
3 - 8 |
|
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| LBCS 70A or 70B |
Who Built America? From the Colonial Era to the Civil War and Reconstruction or Who Built America? From Reconstruction to the Present |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area A3 |
Critical Thinking |
3 - 4 |
|
| CSU GE Area C1 |
Arts |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 23
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| CSU GE Area A1 |
Oral Communication |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU GE Area C1 or C2 |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| CSU GE Area B1 |
Physical Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 22
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| POLS 1 |
U.S. Government |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B2 |
Life Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area B3 |
Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) |
1 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 18
View Requirements in College Catalog
Semester 1
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| LALS 1 |
Latino/a Diaspora: The Impact of Latinos Living in the United States |
3 |
|
| ENGL 1A + 1AS |
University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support |
6 |
|
| CSU GE Area E |
Lifelong Learning and Self-Development |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 15
Semester 2
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| CSU GE Area B4 |
Math / Quantitative Reasoning |
3 - 8 |
|
| IDST 37 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies |
3 |
|
| Additional CSU GE Area C1 or C2 or Area D |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area A1 |
Oral Communication |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 22
Semester 3
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| LALS 14 |
Diego Rivera; Art and Social Change in Latin America |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area A3 |
Critical Thinking |
3 - 4 |
|
| CSU GE Area B1 |
Physical Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| POLS 1 |
U.S. Government |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15 - 21
Semester 4
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| Additional Major Requirement |
(See Counselor) |
3 - 5 |
|
| WGST 25 |
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Feminism Demystified |
3 |
|
| CSU GE Area B2 |
Life Science |
3 - 6 |
|
| CSU GE Area B3 |
Lab Activity (To Be Taken with Course from B1 or B2) |
1 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
| Additional CSU Transferable Units |
|
3 |
|
Total Units: 16 - 21
View Requirements in College Catalog
Required courses:
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| IDST 80A |
Diversity and Social Justice: Racism |
0.5 |
|
| IDST 80C |
Diversity and Social Justice: Sexism |
0.5 |
|
| IDST 80D |
Diversity and Social Justice: Heterosexism |
0.5 |
|
| IDST 80E |
Diversity and Social Justice: Ableism |
0.5 |
|
| IDST 80F |
Diversity and Social Justice: Class and Classism |
0.5 |
|
| IDST 80G |
Diversity and Social Justice: Transphobia |
0.5 |
|
| IDST 81A |
Diversity: Ageism and Adultism (Age-based Oppression) |
1 |
|
| IDST 81B |
Diversity and Social Justice: Anti-Semitism/Anti-Arabism |
1 |
|
Total Units: 5
View Requirements in College Catalog
REQUIRED COURSES (Choose five courses from options below.)
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| LBCS 70A |
Who Built America? From the Colonial Era to the Civil War and Reconstruction |
3 |
|
or
| LBCS 70B |
Who Built America? From Reconstruction to the Present |
3 |
|
| LBCS 96C |
Labor Relations in the Modern American Workplace |
3 |
|
| LBCS 81 |
Organizing for Economic and Social Justice |
3 |
|
| LBCS 114 |
Shaping Public Policy for Labor and Community Organizations |
3 |
|
| LBCS 115 |
Workforce Development & Land Use For Labor & Community Groups |
3 |
|
| LBCS 88 |
California Labor History |
3 |
|
Total Units: 15
ELECTIVES (Choose one course from each of the three groups below.)
Group A
| Course Number |
Course Title |
Units |
Notes |
| LBCS 98A |
Beginning Labor Heritage Chorus |
3 |
|
or
| LBCS 98B |
Intermediate Labor Heritage Chorus |
3 |
|
or
| LBCS 98C |
Advanced Labor Heritage Chorus |
3 |
|
Group B
| LBCS 103 |
Peer Counseling- the Basics |
1 |
|
or
| LBCS 104A |
Work Tales- Beginning Performance |
3 |
|
or
| LBCS 15 |
Latin American Workers in the Americas |
3 |
|
or
| LALS 15 |
Latin American Workers in the Americas |
3 |
|
Group C
| IDST 300 |
Social Justice Work Experience |
1 -6 |
|
Total Units: 5 - 12
Total Units: 20 - 27
Transfer Options
The Social Justice Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC) is an "area of emphasis" (AOE) and has specifically been designed to prepare students for transfer into a variety of CSU Majors, such as
- African American Studies
- Africana Studies
- American Indian Studies
- American Studies
- Arabic Language, Literature and Culture
- Asian American Studies
- Chicano/Chicana Studies
- Ethnic Studies
- Gender Studies
- Labor and Employment Studies
- Latin American Studies
- Liberal Studies w/Option in Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture & Society
- Liberal Studies - Border Studies w/Option in Mexican-American Studies
- Modern Jewish Studies
- Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
- Sociology with a concentration in Critical Race Studies
- Sociology with a concentration Race, Class, and Gender
- Sociology with Inequalities and Diversity Option
- Social Science with Emphasis in Islamic and Arabic Studies
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Women’s Studies
- and many other possible CSU majors.
Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.
Social Justice Work Experience
Through supervised internships and at social justice and community-based organizations, students can increase their skills working with the public sector and their knowledge of career options and pathways, including the skills necessary for work in this sector. Enroll in IDST 300; one unit of credit is earned for every 60 hours of unpaid work or 75 hours of paid work.
Learn more about Social Justice Work Experience opportunities
