Building Communities for Social Justice

Make a difference in the world.  Join the Building Community for Social Justice (BCSJ) ILLC, based on the Marianist principles of educating the whole person by linking learning and scholarship with leadership and service.  In this ILLC, you’ll participate in specially designed courses in first-year writing, history, religious studies, and philosophy that integrate academics with a social justice perspective.  Out of class, you will enjoy meaningful community activities that include conversations about social justice issues, the annual “Pennies for Peace” campus fundraiser, and student presentations at the Stander Symposium.  The centerpiece of the BCSJ is a12-hour service commitment with a local agency, completed in conjunction with your philosophy course. Together with faculty and residence staff, BCSJ students shape a community that truly integrates learning and living.

Students: Open to all students unless restricted by major

ILLC Coordinators: Margaret M. Strain, Lori Phillips-Young

ILLC Faculty: Matt Archer, Lori Phillips-Young, Margaret M. Strain, Monalisa Mullins, William Johnston, Kara Getrost, Patricia Reid

Residence: Marycrest Complex

Shared Courses: ENG 100 (Writing Seminar 1) or ENG 200H (Honors Writing Seminar) and REL 103 (Introduction to Religion) during the Fall 2012 semester, ENG 200 (Writing Seminar II) if required, and PHL 103 (Introduction to Philosophy) and HST 103 during the Spring 2013 semester.  Service projects are part of the PHL course.

Graduation Requirements: These courses meet graduation requirements.

Community Activities:

12-hour service commitment with a local organization

Personal attention and interaction with the faculty and staff

Social Justice Movie Night

Pizza Parties/Raffles and Social Justice Discussions

“Pennies for Peace” fundraising initiative

Service Learning Fair and Service Learning Projects

Stander Symposium Student presentations

Membership in the Social Justice Service Learning Organization

An opportunity to live in Social Justice special interest housing during later years of college