Inequality Studies (B.A.)
The major in Inequality Studies provides students with an interdisciplinary course of study that pursues the inquiry question: What is Inequality Studies and how can inequality in society be repaired? This program uses a multidisciplinary approach to explore that question in four focus areas: (1) Exploring voices and experiences of marginalized people; (2) Investigating inequalities in culture and society; (3) Repairing inequalities; and (4) Activism to highlight and address inequalities.
In the focus areas of this program, students interrogate the social production of knowledge and social structures using the narratives of people who have been marginalized, such as those marginalized by colonial projects or by social identities including race, economic class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or physical ability, among others. Students further apply methodologies and analytical tools to disrupt the thinking of inequality that occurs individually, interpersonally, and within institutions. They analyze the role of knowledge in creating and reinforcing structures of inequality, while exploring strategies for repairing harm that has been done and participating in community activism that connects theory and practice.
Students intending to major in Inequality Studies are encouraged to select a faculty advisor in their area of interest. In addition, students are also encouraged to undertake a disciplinary minor or second major to develop an area of specialization, which will help with the application of these studies.
Integrative Studies Requirements
40 credits minimum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (44 credits) | ||
| Foundation | ||
| II-101 | Intro to Inequality Studies | 4 |
| IIPSYC-172 | Intro to Restorative Practice | 4 |
| or IIWGS-101 | Intro Women's & Gender Studies | |
| Core Courses | ||
| Select one course from the multidisciplinary topics in Voices and Experiences of Colonized Peoples: | 4 | |
| Readings American Lit | ||
| The United States and Genocide | ||
| Race, State, & Justice | ||
| Select one course from the multidisciplinary topics in Race in Culture and Society: | 4 | |
| Globalization Culture & Place | ||
| Health in Society | ||
| United States Politics | ||
| Race Gender Sexuality Pop Cult | ||
| Select one course from the multidisciplinary topics in Decolonizing Land and Society: | 4 | |
| Rhetoric Civil Rights Movement | ||
IHWGS-290 | ||
| Capstone Core Course | ||
| PSYC-425 | Psychology of Women | 4 |
| Upper-Level Multidisciplinary Electives | ||
| Select one course from the multidisciplinary topics in Voices and Experiences of Colonized Peoples: | 4 | |
| Studies African Amer Lit | ||
| Amer Indian Wrt & Cult | ||
| Advanced Studies | ||
| Natives/Newcomers NA1500-1766 | ||
| Africans:Colonial Atlantic Wd | ||
| Select one course from the multidisciplinary topics in Race in Culture and Society: | 4 | |
| Rhetoric Post-Civil Rights Era | ||
| Am Slavery/Capitalism1787-1848 | ||
| Culture & Psychology | ||
| Race, State, & Justice | ||
| Latina Fem Theory | ||
| Select one course from the multidisciplinary topics in Decolonizing Land and Society: | 4 | |
| Sustainability & Justice Plann | ||
| Restoration Ecology | ||
| Critical Ethnic Studies | ||
WGS-301 | ||
| Select one course from the multidisciplinary topics in Activism: | 4 | |
| Environmental Advocacy | ||
| Peace Studies | ||
| Law and Policy | ||
| Select one additional Upper-Level Multidisciplinary Elective from one of the topic areas listed above. | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 44 | |
**Please note: Some courses have prerequisites outside of this program, which requires additional planning.
Electives
Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.
Degree Requirements
120 credits
40 credits at the upper-level
Upon completion of the Inequality Studies B.A. degree, students will be able to:
- Apply the experiences and narratives of peoples who have been silenced by social inequalities—emphasizing contributions by scholars of marginalized groups—to interrogate the social production of knowledge and the cultural, intellectual, political, and social structures in the United States and in international contexts.
- Apply methodologies and analytical tools—including antiracism, feminist theories, decolonization, heterosexism, oppression, privilege, difference, and intersectionality—to disrupt the thinking that supports social inequalities that occurs individually, interpersonally, and within institutions. Analyze the historic and ongoing role of academic knowledge in creating and reinforcing unequal social structures, while exploring academic and practical strategies for disrupting and repairing harm that has been done.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically, and write and speak effectively, about both the challenges of building knowledge within a society divided into unequal groups and the long-term commitment required to deconstruct oppressive systems and structures.
- Create and participate in community activism that connects theory and practice. Utilize the methodologies and tools of this program to reflect on awareness of power, privilege, and positionality while working as an activist.