International and Social Justice Studies
Bachelor of Arts Major
Explore the intricate complexities of social justice and injustice from both global and regional perspectives. While exploring the rich histories and cultures that shape societies, you will expand your sense of social responsibility and deepen your understanding of how the world works.
Our coursework breaks away from conventional approaches, giving you the skills, knowledge, and ethical mindset you need to tackle local and global inequalities and injustices head-on. You’ll develop a strong sense of active engagement and responsibility in our connected world, with a special focus on marginalized populations, communities, and cultures. This program offers more than just knowledge—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in diverse cultures, where independent research and hands-on experiences empower you to transform complex challenges into real opportunities for change.
Why International and Social Justice Studies at Warren Wilson?
- Hands-On Learning: Graduate with the understanding and lived experience of actively working to make a difference in your community. You’ll go out and build relationships, speak out for society’s most marginalized members, and guide others to think critically about the world they live in.
- Study Abroad for Everyone: Every student in this major participates in a study abroad experience that aligns with their goals personally and professionally.
- Interdisciplinary: Dive into classes about Anthropology, Sociology, Gender & Women’s Studies, History and more to find solutions to the issues you are most passionate about.
Every student will complete community-engaged coursework, an internship, and original research as part of their major
A Sample of Our Partnerships
- Bounty & Soul
- Root Cause Farms
- Owen Middle School
- Fundacion M&M (Colombia)
- LEAF Global Arts
- MANOS (tutoring program for Latinx youth)
- Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción
See how International and Social Justice Studies students put our education into action
Community Engaged Course
In Spanish III: Peace & Social Justice, you’ll develop social and cultural skills with a focus on intercultural awareness. You’ll engage with our local Latinx community and consider the roles of peace, war, and justice in the era of globalization. We typically partner with Bounty & Soul, where students often work with the Latino Market.
Work
You can work on any crew as a student but many International and Social Justice Studies majors choose to be on crews such as:
- Social and Intercultural Studies
- Global Engagement Office
- Spanish Assistant
- Bonner Community Engagement
- WIDE (Wilson Inclusion, Diversity and Equity)
Study Abroad
In the study abroad course Fields, Markets, and Kitchens: Gender and Food in Indonesia & Singapore, students explored society, culture, food systems, and gender dynamics in Singapore and Indonesia.
Senior Capstone
As an International and Social Justice Studies student, you can choose to pursue your capstone project in one of three areas: Sociology/Anthropology, Public Humanities, or Data Science.
Popular Courses
Gender, Development, and the Environment
In this course you will examine the link between gender issues and environmental problems in the Global South, and how development programs affect the lives of women. You’ll also learn how the history of colonization, and local as well as global inequalities, affect gender relations and environmental conditions in various countries.
Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies
After an introduction to the peace philosophies of leaders such as M. Gandhi and M.L. King, Jr., you’ll examine the causes of conflict and peace as well as the roles of the United Nations and international law in resolving or containing conflicts. Recent and current events and the work of some living peace promoters are also studied.
Postcolonial Theory and Methods
Examine writings from postcolonial authors and think critically about postcolonialism. You’ll explore issues of human difference and analyze how different cultures have experienced colonialism and postcolonialism to prepare yourself for a decolonized approach to social justice and international studies.
David Abernathy, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Geographic Information Systems
- Environment-society relations
- Geography of Panama
“Warren Wilson students crave a challenge. I am continually amazed at the enthusiasm with which our students throw themselves into an endeavor, whether it be a physically exhausting service trip or an intellectually stimulating research question. Wilson students tend to say “bring it.””
Siti Kusujiarti, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Gender and Development
- Southeast Asian topics, especially Indonesia
- Rural and Environmental Sociology
“Warren Wilson students are poised to learn and to expand their horizons.”
Susan Ortiz, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Social Stratification and Inequality
- Intersectionality
- Privilege and Power
“Warren Wilson is the place where both academics and intellectual virtues matter. We are all on a journey together to build a more trusting, empathetic, patient, caring, and connected community, state, nation, and world.”
Ben Feinberg, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- The Politics of Representation and Identity
- Indigenous Cultures of Mexico
- Anthropology of Tourism
“At Warren Wilson, we have the time we need to know our students as real, complete, complicated human beings, not just a butt in a seat and a name on a paper.”
Scotti M. Norman, Ph.D
Research Interests
- Indigenous Responses to European Colonialism
- Gender Studies
- GIS and Landscape
“The students at Warren Wilson have a keen interest in equality and empathy, and it is a pleasure to explore together how archaeology of past societies can create a more just contemporary society.”
Christine LaRocque Swoap, MA
Research Interests
- Assessing Critical Reflection in the foreign language classroom
- Service-Learning and community engagement in the foreign language classroom
- Language acquisition
“At Warren Wilson, I see creativity, sensitivity and a willingness to engage with others in meaningful ways. Professors and students work collaboratively towards various educative goals, taking risks while being advocates for themselves and others. All of this inspires me.”
“Honestly just the rhythms of daily life in such a beautiful place: eating in Cowpie with friends, walking across campus, watching the snow outside my dorm while I did homework, sitting on Dogwood when I had to think through something. All of these small moments weave together to form a tapestry of a beautiful life that I still treasure and miss.”
Megan Gordon
(she/her)
Policy Director at the Georgia Chapter at the Council on American-Islamic Relations
Major, Minor, Concentration, Crews
- International Studies Major
- Crews: Heavy Duty, Sage Cafe
Ainara Hidalgo
(she/her)
Student Academic Services Coordinator at American University’s Writing Center
Major, Minor, Concentration, Crews
- Global Studies Major
- Crew: Writing Studio
After graduating, Ainara moved to Athens, Greece to serve as a U.S. college counseling fellow at Pierce- The American College of Greece.
“Warren Wilson made me get comfortable frequently being a beginner and learning entirely new vocabularies – whether I was woodworking, or learning sustainable farming methods while studying abroad in Cuba, or reading and analyzing entire novels in Spanish through the foreign language department. Warren Wilson helped give me the courage to put myself out there and be new at something over and over again, which has been necessary to finding exciting and deeply meaningful work in my career.”
Eliza Stokes
(she/her)
Growing Water Smart Program Manager at the Sonoran Institute
Major, Minor, Concentration, Crews
- Double major in International Studies and Creative Writing
- Crews: Sage Café, Rentals & Renovations, Peal Crew, Writing Center
“I feel grateful for my Warren Wilson education for so many reasons, but particularly for the opportunities I had to connect with Asheville/Buncombe County area nonprofit organizations. My time on the Bonner Leaders crew led me to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector, and in turn gave me invaluable experience in volunteer coordination, project management, and community outreach. I really think that the community engagement experiences I had all propelled me to pursue a career in nonprofit work, and I’m so grateful for my mentors who supported me along the way.”
Julianna Cesarini
(she/her)
Community Markets Coordinator at MANNA Food Bank
Major, Minor, Concentration, Crews
- International Studies Major
- Bonner Leaders, Athletics
Where Our International and Social Justice Studies Graduates Go
- Bard College’s MEd at Center for Environmental Policy
- Emory University School of Law
- University of Vermont School of Law
- American University
- Trinity College Dublin
