The School of Education has created a new minor in atrocity studies and the practices of social justice that prepares students to be engaged citizens, advocates, scholars and leaders in a changing global society.
The interdisciplinary minor, open to all Syracuse University undergraduate students, provides a background in the Holocaust, other global atrocities and human rights violations, and efforts to confront the past and transform the future. Partnerships and courses from across the College of Arts and Sciences and the University examine when, how, where and why individuals and groups act as perpetrators, bystanders and upstanders. Students will have the opportunity to study abroad in Central Europe; Strasbourg, France; or Santiago, Chile as a part of these courses.
“We are seeing increased activity from right-wing and extremist political parties across the globe, in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, Brazil, Canada and the United States,” says Julia White, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Leadership and coordinator of the atrocities studies minor. “Along with this, systems and individuals are demonstrating discrimination and violence against marginalized people. By studying potential—and occurring—atrocities we are intentionally developing a world view that considers what part we can play in confronting injustice and disrupting systemic patterns of prejudice, discrimination, racism, antisemitism and dehumanization that lead to the commission of atrocities.”
The minor in atrocity studies and the practices of social justice consists of 18 credit hours. There is one required course for the minor, HST 362, Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, so students currently enrolled in the course or plan to take the course should consider the minor. The other courses are chosen from a broad range offered across the university:
White notes this interdisciplinary minor would be of interest to any student at Syracuse University who is interested in social justice and challenging oppression.
“For example, students from the Whitman School who are committed to social change and entrepreneurship; Newhouse School and College of Visual and Performing Arts’ students who are interested in advancing social justice through media and the arts; Maxwell School and College of Arts and Sciences’ students who are interested in justice, peace, security, stability and domestic and international affairs in their many forms; education students committed to teaching, leading and engaging with schools and communities to confront and address injustices; Falk College students committed to anti-oppressive social policies and practices; School of Information Studies’ students interested in combatting oppression through information technology; and School of Architecture students committed to social justice through design.”
Students interested in the minor in atrocity studies and the practices of social justice can visit the School of Education website or contact Julia White at jmwhit02@syr.edu or 315.443.9321.
