Planting the Seeds: Promoting Social Justice by College Students

• In Event: 52.084 - Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: 52.084-24 - Uncomfortable Talk: Struggling Toward Genuine Conversations About Community, Race, and Social Justice

Abstract

Undergraduates from a variety of majors in a diversity course wrote a three-part final paper focused on improving social justice within their fields. First, they described a problem of equity/equality for a specific group within their field. Second, students designed a plan to improve the inclusion of that group. Lastly, they revised the plan and reflected on the reality of implementation. Analysis of the papers focused on which groups students felt were discriminated against, what type of changes were desired, how specific the changes were to their fields of study, and the reality of implementing the plans. Papers showed a growth of awareness regarding inherent discrimination within our society and a desire to change their corner of the world.

Author

• Melissa J. Marks, University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg