This concentration engages learners in a complex interdisciplinary analysis of historical and contemporary social justice struggles and movements. Students will identify and critically evaluate the symbolic systems, power structures, ideologies, values, and religious meanings and practices at play in events and interactions, institutional and social structures, ethical judgments, and living communities, and articulate and enact a vision for increased social justice in these contexts. With a focus on sustainable and community-based practice, the concentration is designed to help people who want to develop an inclusive, collaborative, and justice-based social justice leadership with the cultural capacity and organizational skills necessary for domestic and international religious organizations, diverse non-profit settings, government agencies, educational institutions, the media, and various business and professional contexts.

This concentration engages interdisciplinary perspectives on experiences of individual, communal, generational, and historical trauma, including theological, historical, psychological, cultural, and literary approaches. Understanding the structural forces, power dynamics, colonizing practices, ideological and religious beliefs, epidemiological and ecological crises, and psychological factors contributing to traumatic experience will help students recognize, understand, and support/accompany persons and communities who have experienced trauma. Religious trauma, particularly related to expressions of gender and sexuality rejected by some religious communities, will be a particular focus. The wisdom of historical and contemporary survivors of trauma as well as insight from interdisciplinary research will inform constructive practices of lament, recognition, reparation, and healing.