2024 Summer Social Justice Institute

Now open for summer registration: COLL 299 Topics in Creativity and Social Justice : LGBTQ+ Social Health Equality

Beginning April 22nd, 2024, you can register for a scholarship-eligible Summer Social Justice Institute class, and fulfill Core requirements too!

The idea of a Summer Social Justice Institute was introduced in 2022. With an interdisciplinary focus and bringing together diverse faculty, the Creativity and Social Justice courses are tied to Chicago’s vibrant summer schedule, with lots of opportunities for students to engage with the City built into the curriculum.

Topics in Creativity and Social Justice courses can meet Columbia Core requirements or Collegewide Electives. Enrolled students should work with Academic Advising to determine how the class can fulfill a Core requirement toward degree completion.

Any student who demonstrates financial need through a completed 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be reviewed for scholarship eligibility up to the full cost of tuition for the 3 credit hour class.

The Summer 2024 class will be held during the 1st 5-week summer session (UA).

COLL 299 Topics in Creativity and Social Justice
This interdisciplinary rotating topics course explores creative practice across the breadth of disciplines offered at Columbia College Chicago and the myriad ways in which artists engage with issues of power, privilege, and justice through their work. Students will research and discuss social justice issues and artists’ creative interventions, as well as how these events are shared and communicated with others. Through this engagement with artistic cultures, communities, and histories, students will respond by creating their own new creative work, analysis, and commentary.

Section 01: LGBTQ+ Social Health Equality
Taught by Derick D. Jones Jr. (Science and Mathematics Department)
Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Room 618-LL01
May 28 - June 29, 2024
Sophomore Standing or Above (SO)

In this course, we will delve into the dynamic interplay between social and healthcare practices in the 21st century, specifically focusing on their impact on marginalized creatives, with an emphasis on the Chicago community. Through interdisciplinary exploration, we will analyze the intersection of science, gender, and art in shaping societal narratives, and critically examine the effects of illicit pharmaceuticals on marginalized groups, including queer, womxn, and BIPOC communities. Exploring historical contexts, students will gain insight into pharmaceutical integration and the broader implications of the 'war on drugs'. During Pride Month we will engage in community immersion activities, documenting overlooked experiences and histories within the LGBTQ+ community. The course will culminate in a collaborative project to develop an educational website advocating for healthcare equality and social justice.

Senior Associate Provost Nate Bakkum says, “The creative community of Columbia College Chicago is connected to so much artmaking and activism throughout the city. The Social Justice Institute gives us a great new opportunity to connect with diverse practitioners during the amazing flourishing of creativity that animates the city each summer.”

Visit the Summer Social Justice Initiative website to learn more about the program.

Contact Columbia Central, your College Advisor, or Robin Whatley at rwhatley@colum.edu for more information about the Summer 2024 classes.

Related links:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion