Undergraduate education

YOUR JOURNEY TO JUSTICE BEGINS HERE

Undergraduate opportunities on a painted green map

As a distinctive element of Notre Dame’s commitment to offer an unsurpassed undergraduate education, the Institute for Social Concerns offers justice education courses, programs, and minors grounded in Catholic social tradition that develop students’ moral imagination, practical wisdom, and courage to act.

Courses

The institute offers dozens of 1-credit and 3-credit courses (course code: SOCO) at the intersection of justice and Catholic social tradition, the environment, labor, mass incarceration, migration, poverty, technology, and more. Many of the institute’s courses also include an immersive experience during fall or spring break. Read about all of our course listings to learn more.

Female student speaks in classroom

Programs

The Institute offers a variety of signature programs for students to engage more deeply with and in proximity to issues of justice. There are possibilities at each stage of the academic journey, from pre-enrollment to after graduation. Opportunities range from seminars that include semester break learning opportunities in Appalachia to fully funded immersive summer research experiences to multi-year fellowships. Explore the possibilities!

Minors

In addition to courses and programs, the institute offers two minors: the Catholic Social Tradition Minor and Poverty Studies Interdisciplinary Minor.