Arrupe Social Justice Scholars Program

The Arrupe Social Justice Scholars program is made up of two components –  the academic curriculum, and the co-curricular experience that extends beyond the classroom. Taken together, these components challenge students to grow into leaders and advocates for social change.

Academic Requirements

Arrupe Social Justice Scholars take a series of courses together over their four years at John Carroll. These courses provide students with the knowledge and skills to become effective advocates for positive social change. Courses are taken in sequential order. The Arrupe curriculum culminates in a capstone project for which students develop and implement an advocacy project.

Through designated coursework, Arrupe Social Justice Scholars will get a minor in Peace, Justice, and Human Rights.  This allows for students to grow intellectually and professionally in order to incorporate this knowledge into any career path.

Students whose schedules are subject to considerable outside restrictions should consult with the director of the Arrupe Social Justice Scholars Program. Individual students may require accommodation through an independent study course or through a course substitution, but only if such accommodation is unavoidable.

Arrupe Social Justice Scholars Program Learning Goals:

1. Intellectual Development - Arrupe Social Justice Scholars analyze social justice issues from multiple disciplinary lenses to understand the complex social, cultural, political, economic, and moral dimensions of injustice.

2. Active Reflection - Arrupe Social Justice Scholars are reflective learners, integrating their curricular and co-curricular learning experiences  to inform their understanding of social justice issues.

3. Commitment to Solidarity - Arrupe Social Justice Scholars demonstrate a commitment to social action grounded in sustained engagement with people facing injustice. The job of an Arrupe Social Justice Scholar is not simply “to help others” but rather, to learn from our community partners and bear witness to the suffering of those facing injustice in our world so they can “be men and women for and with others.”

4. Advocacy - Arrupe Social Justice Scholars will apply their knowledge and abilities to advocate for positive social change. Through coursework and experiential learning projects, Arrupe Social Justice Scholars will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be a voice of support for those facing injustice. During their four years at John Carroll, students will focus on a particular justice issue — for example, human trafficking, Fair Trade, wrongful convictions, or environmental justice. Students will then construct and carry out an action and advocacy project as the capstone experience of the Arrupe Social Justice Scholars program.

Required Courses

Alternative course maps may be developed with program director depending on individual student needs.

Co-Curricular Requirements

In addition to taking academic credits with the members of their class cohort, Arrupe students participate in a robust co-curriculum. This series of annual events bring students from all class cohorts together to work as one larger student body. The purpose of the program’s co-curriculum is to give students a variety of opportunities to develop strong pre-professional skills over the course of their time at John Carroll. The Arrupe Scholars’ co-curriculum focuses on community-based engagement initiatives and thus exemplifies the University’s fundamental commitment to graduating men and women “for and with others.” Requirements are rooted in service and solidarity.

Program Events/Initiatives*

*Events/Initiatives may be added based on student desires and campus programming.