Justice

What is justice, and how as a society do we pursue its realization? Justice: An Introductory Experience will investigate answers to these questions by studying ideas and case studies concerning justice that highlight the challenges involved in its pursuit, and by participating in service learning where students experience local agencies on their efforts to realize a more just society. This course is required for the Justice Thread, where possible as the first course in the Thread.

Theories of Justice explores the theoretical foundations of justice work by studying diverse theories of justice, examing the inter-relationships between theory and practice, considering the possibilities inherent in such a realtionship, and prompting critcal assessment of subject positions within "efforts to realize a more just society".

This course investigates ethical issues and moral dilemmas found in the modern business arena. The conflict between an organization's economic performance and its social obligations are studied. Various economic theories, legal regulations and philosophic doctrines are discussed. Contemporary Western moral philosophy, historic and contemporary Christian ethics, and social theory provide a context for the course. Case studies are integrated throughout the semester.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and a 1000- or 2000-level speaking-instructive course.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

This course offers an examination of contemporary problems in crime and delinquency with emphasis upon the theories of deviant behavior and correction.

Prerequisite(s): CRIM 1010 Introduction To Criminal Justice and SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology.

(Normally offered each spring semester.)

Each course in the Topics in World Literature group will study a selection of literary works that engage the chosen topic--texts of different genres, from historical eras, and from different cultural traditions. The selected readings will present both abstract principles involved in the topic and its immediate, lived realities.
Prerequisite(s): Any First Year Writing course.

A study of movements for racial justice in the United States since 1900, this course focuses on the ideas, strategies, tactics and participants in movements which sought to counter racial discrimination, violence and oppression directed at African Americans, Latino/a Americans, American Indian nations, Asian Americans and various immigrant populations sometimes defined as "racial" groups. Attention also will be given to the interaction of the movements with other movements,such as LGBTQ+ or Feminist movements. No P/F.

See Thread Coordinator.

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

This course will draw together previous learning and experiences in the Justice Thread by having students engage in a significant justice-related project in partnership with a community organization. Students must have completed 10 hours in the thread; be junior standing and have permission of the instructor to enroll.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and permission of the instructor.

This course examines several normative ethical principles and examines how these principles are used to argue for and justify ethical conclusions. Students will study normative principles from the western philosophical tradition and examine applied ethical issues including, but not limited to animal ethics, abortion, euthanasia, economic justice, and capital punishment. Students will develop their critical thinking and writing skills by evaluating real-world case studies in light of what they learned.

This course will analyze the regulations, laws, and rules that impact the lives of people in the community. Students will examine issues that are related to social and civic life including education, health care, crime, and employment. They will utilize local, state and national case studies for understanding and analysis.

Prerequisite: POLSC 1000 United States Government and Politics or POLSC 1010 Intro to U.S. Govt/Politics: Civic Engagement

This class will give students first-hand experience making social and political change. Our goal is to understand how ordinary citizens work for social, economic, and political justice within their communities. Students will work with a grassroots organization to experience the way in which mobilization and change in Lincoln occurs. When the course is offered for 2 credits, the focus will be on the strategy of grassroots organizing and how that is manifested in the students' experiential learning projects. When the course is offered for 4 credits, there will be an additional focus on theories grassroots organizing and on the tactics employed by influential political activists in the United States and globally.

State governments in the United States play an essential and often overlooked role in the lives of their citizens. Among many other public policy areas, state decisions affect the quality of education provided to children, the criminal laws established and enforced, the operation of elections, and the strength of local economies. This course takes a comparative approach, examining the institutions, procedures, politicians, citizens, and public policies of states in the U.S. We utilize this information to investigate how the collective experiences of the several states can inform governance and policy.

This course explores religious responses to social justice issues, such as conflict, poverty, oppression,discrimination, and the environment. Particular focus is lent to the distribution of resources, gender and racial discrimination, war and other forms of violent behavior and the historical, philosophical, religious, economic, cultural influences therein. The course will also show some implications that theories and implementations of justice have that could aid in framing public policy and social justice activism around particular issues.

This course explores social stratification, the socially created pattern of unequal distribution of social resources that leads to social inequality. It gives particular attention to social class, but also considers how class intersects with other social categories (such as race/ethnicity and gender) to create even further inequality. It also examines the interconnectedness of social inequality and the primary social institutions of U.S. society. It also explores global social inequality.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology.
(Normally offered alternate years.)