Courses for SEEK Students

EDU 100 Education and Justice 

Credits: 3 Hours: 3  (Course available for SEEK students only)

This course examines the relationship of education to questions of justice as fairness in the U.S. It explores the historical, social, political, economic, and cultural contexts in which young people receive their schooling and analyzes the nature, causes, and effects of educational inequality. In the process of studying these issues, students will reflect on their own educational experiences and gain an understanding of the processes and expectations of college.

Notes: This course satisfies the College Option: Justice and the Individual (100-level) area of the Gen Ed Program. This course is restricted to SEEK students only. This course is a First Year Seminar and is restricted to Freshmen only.

EDU 277 Education as Power to Heal and Take Action

Credits: 3 Hours: 3

This course examines the role education can play as both a tool of oppression and also a tool of liberation. By using a process of critical inquiry into what we learn, how we learn it, and what knowledge is traditionally valued in society, this course will focus on student knowledge and experience as a foundation for understanding larger social issues and theories. Particular attention will be made to personal identities (i.e. - race, class, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, etc.) and individual experiences of power, privilege, and oppression to examine different worldviews and how these are either muted or amplified. This course will build critical consciousness while providing tools to take practical social action (praxis) in tandem with self and community healing. A project at a local community-based, non-profit organization, or service department at John Jay College will be utilized to gain valuable hands-on experience and an insider view on careers working towards social change.

Prerequisite: ENG 101; Sophomore standing or above and/or Permission of the Instructor.

EDU 300 Education for Social Change in the U.S.

Credits: 3 Hours: 3 

Using the lens of education as a vehicle for social change, this course examines issues of education as “privilege” or “right” and the impact of opportunity programs such as SEEK which emerged from the struggle for social justice and access of the less privileged to higher education in the US. It provides an opportunity for students to critically reflect on the historical, philosophical, social, political and cultural forces that affected higher education’s evolution with respect to issues of justice, access and equality in the United States. Students will research and analyze data on issues of inclusivity, exclusivity and inequality as it relates to educational access. They will have the opportunity to move from critical reflection to social action by contextualizing their own educational experiences and ambitions in the context of the struggle for justice in education.

Prerequisite: ENG 201 and Junior standing or above

Notes: This course satisfies the College Option: Struggle for Justice and Equality in the U.S. (300-level) area of the Gen Ed Program.