Get Involved

SJPS  faculty and staff take the work for justice and peace beyond the classroom. In their research and in their work they are involved in a number of organizations that work to build a more just and peaceful world. We encourage our students to get involved and help make the world a more just and peaceful world.

Here are some organizations for you to check out:

Featured Courses

Building Peace in a World of Conflict: SJPS 2302 

How do we make the world a more peaceful place?

In the first part of this course, we explore the concept of peace and how it has and can be used. In the second part of the course we address the processes of peace building and attempts at reconciliation, including conventional methods such as negotiation and diplomacy, and as well as alternative approaches such as ‘community-based’ approaches to peace building. During the later part of course then, we will look at how justice and non- violence factor into building peace, and explore ‘the future’ of peace, peace-building, conflict and reconciliation. We will also have a number of amazing peace activists and practioners come to our class to talk about how they work to build a more peaceful world.

Humanitarianism and Global Justice: SJPS 2303B

What is the role of humanitarian organizations in the work for global justice?

This class examines the roots of contemporary humanitarian intervention, aid and development from colonization to the current moment.  Here students question the principles, motives, choices and outcomes of interventions that are motivated by concern for the well-being of the human person in crisis situations. Topics covered in this course include:   citizenship, human rights, law, violence, climate change, ethnicity, race, borders, migration, media and celebrity humanitarian ambassadors.  

Some of the questions asked in this class are:  Who has the right to have rights? Why do so many interventions fail to protect the victims of disaster? Whose interests are represented?  What are new ways of thinking about global justice? It is highly recommended that students participating in SJP international experiential learning take this course. 

Social Activism & Theories of Political Change: SJP2301 

How do we change the world for better?

In the first part of the course we investigate the major theories of political change, including Marxism, anarchism, social democracy, and participatory community organizing. In the second part, we examine influential case studies – from the Civil Rights struggle to Occupy Wall Street to Black Lives Matter. In the final part, we examine debates and controversies in contemporary Canadian activism. To enrich the learning experience, a number of phenomenal activists and social justice organizers from southern Ontario will come to the class as guest speakers.