Field Work in Racial and Social Justice

Black and Latino Studies (BLS) at Baruch College celebrates field work as its fundamental praxis. Since its inception, a defining feature of Black, Latinx, and Ethnic Studies is fieldwork, the concept of applied classroom learning to real-world issues concerning racial and social justice. This course conceives of antiracist work as critical to learning, and to its applications to issues that matter beyond school while also providing experiential learning as an opportunity to practice career-building skills. Students taking this course will work 8-10 hours per week in a community or non-profit organization whose mission supports racial and social justice activities. Field work opportunities may include work in projects that support racial justice, gender equality, climate justice, migrant justice, civil rights, harm reduction, or restorative justice. With supervision by a BLS faculty member, students will produce a public knowledge project or work portfolio at the end of their term. There are many opportunities for racial and social justice fieldwork in New York. Students will receive credit for BLS 5100 or LTS 5100, and these courses may substitute for each other with the F-replacement option. Students may take this course once to fulfill the Black and Latino Studies major or minor elective requirements.