Opportunities and Resources
Justice Studies values civic and community engagement. We encourage students to find ways to be involved with and contribute to their communities. As articulated on the Civic Engagement Webiste, civic engagement involves “preparing individuals to be active and responsible participants in a representative democracy dedicated to the common good.”
Justice Studies offers many opportunities for civic and community engagement, including the following:
Courses:
JUST 401. Internship in Justice Studies. 4 credits.
This course allows students to receive academic credit for work experienced in an agency or organization related to the justice studies major. Students should consult the justice studies director for assistance in arranging approved internships. Prerequisites: JUST 200 and JUST 399 . Successful completion of four additional justice studies courses. This course may be taken only once for credit.
JUST 403. Nelson Institute Seminar. 3 credits.
Students enrolled in this course will be assigned to consider a contemporary problem Justice Studies. Working individually and in teams, students will first study the problem, and then propose workable solutions. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status and permission of the instructor. This course may be taken twice for credit.
JUST 404. Practicum in Community-Based Research. 3 credits.
This course provides students with an intensive, collaborative community-based research experience working in partnership with a community organization or group. Students will integrate and apply principles and conceptions of justice and methods of scholarly inquiry to a community-identified problem. This course may be taken twice for credit. Prerequisites: JUST 200 , JUST 399 and permission of the instructor.
Other Programs:
Contact:
For more information about civic and community engagement opportunities in Justice Studies, please contact the departmental advisor, Daisy Breneman.
University Opportunities and Resources
JMU University Studies Civic Engagement
JMU Community Service-Learning
Madison Collaborative: Ethical Reasoning in Action
Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services
Center for International Stabilization and Recovery
Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE)
Local Community Opportunities
The Community Service-Learning website contains a database with a more comprehensive list of local agencies; however, here are some that may be of particular interest to Justice Studies majors:
NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center
The Collins Center & Child Advocacy Center
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services BoardChurch World Service Immigration and Refugee Program
United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
The ARC of Harrisonburg and Rockingham
Valley Associates for Independent Living
External Opportunities
Please note this is not an endorsement of the organizations, their politics, or the programs, but rather just a list of some opportunities that may be of interest to Justice Studies majors:
