Social Justice and Peace Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program committed to experiential education and inspired by the Catholic Social Teaching tradition. It encourages critical reflection on oppression and injustice, locally and globally, and it examines theoretical and practical approaches to justice and peace. It calls students to social action that transforms the world in the interests of human dignity, equality, sustainability, and peace. This innovative cross-disciplinary program offers one of four core courses in social justice and peace in each of the four years leading to a degree. These core courses are combined with existing courses drawn from a variety of disciplines such as sociology, politics, economics, history, social work, religious studies, and others. There is a mandatory service component in second year that engages students in local issues of Social Justice and Peace and an optional (experiential learning) component offering a variety of opportunities that may be undertaken at any time after first year. Course credit can be arranged for these experiences.

SJPS will be attractive to students who: Want to develop critical and analytical skills necessary to seek advanced degrees in the social sciences and the humanities. Many graduates establish careers in the law, social work, education, or medical fields. Seek to become engaged with non-profit organizations to improve the lives of people in Ontario and abroad. Students regularly participate in volunteer experiences and become part of King’s Centre for Social Concern. Are interested in expanding their awareness of social justice issues and their understanding of the interlocking nature of poverty, violence, racism, sexism, colonization, disability, religious persecution, environmental degradation and other forms of oppression.