Social Responsibility Minor

Department Contact:

Co-coordinators: 
Dr. Robin L. Cadwallader, rcadwallader@francis.edu, 814-472-3342 
Dr. Jessica Cammarata, jcammarata@francis.edu, 814-472-3851

Program Description:

The Social Responsibility Minor is an interdisciplinary course of study designed to help students consider the nature and responsibilities of democratic citizenship in our time. The minor is inspired by the Goals of Franciscan Higher Education and the Goals of the Saint Francis University General Education Program, which call for a reverence for all life, a global vision, a respect for all persons, an appreciation for diversity, stewardship of the world’s resources, and service to the poor and needy.

In the course of studies for this minor, students will engage questions such as the following: What does citizenship mean now? What should it mean? How does it relate to various perspectives on justice? community? diversity? What are the ideals to which democratic citizens are called? What are essential values for responsible citizenship? In what ways can people make a positive difference in their world? What are the skills needed to be a socially responsible citizen? In what ways might conscientious objection or civil disobedience be expressions of social responsibility?

The Minor may have either a national (United States) or an international focus. Consistent with the goals of General Education at Saint Francis, not only familiarity with key knowledge bases but also the development of relevant skills and the examination of values-related questions are integral to this course of study.

Skills Components in the Social Responsibility Minor:  Communications (verbal, written, technology-related, media), organizational and leadership skills, political skills, intellectual skills (critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, socio-critical analysis).

Key knowledge bases:  Investigations of the modern social, environmental, and technological problems, the historical precedents, and the key social and political institutions that contribute to development of problems, as well as their possible resolution.

Examination of values-related questions of social responsibility:  Opportunity to evaluate critically the dominant cultural values, as well as to acquire an awareness of  alternative value systems; the study of values in the context of social and political questions; and the study of means by which social and political groups achieve compromise and resolution in the context of varying systems of belief.

Capstone Requirement:

Students pursuing the Social Responsibility Minor must complete a general education capstone that helps to fulfill program goals of the minor. Approval of a Social Responsibility coordinator is required (see Dr. Cadwallader or Dr. Cammarata).

Total Credits Required:

18 credits