The Disability Justice and Justice for Religious Minorities tracks have been cancelled and replaced with Gender Justice II and Racial Justice II, respectively.
The Social Justice & Public Policy Academy introduces you to the complex role of public policy through the lens of social justice. You'll explore models and methods of public policy to gain an interdisciplinary understanding to analyze real-world problems. You will reflect on the meaning of democracy, freedom, justice and equality; investigate how advocacy leads to change in public policy; develop your capacity for leadership; and become part of a community committed to personal growth.
Taking advantage of our location in the heart of the nation’s capital, you'll have the opportunity to engage with policy think tanks and organizations that defend and work in areas of civil, economic, labor, and human rights. You'll study the components that shape and impact public policy and interact with leaders and lawyers that turn ideas into action. You'll also examine D.C. beyond the monuments and learn about its rich social justice history and the city's current challenges around inequality and inequity.
You'll register for one of eight distinctive tracks: Gender Justice, LGBT Justice, Racial Justice, Labor Justice, Environmental Justice, Disability Justice, Justice for Religious Minorities, or Immigrant Justice. In each track, you’ll gain valuable exposure to core theories and work in groups to explore and implement advocacy strategies that promote public awareness-building and policy reform. This includes organizing a participatory teach-in with members of the community to engage thoughtfully in proposing sustainable interventions that affect short-term relief and long-term social change.
Build awareness of key concepts related to social justice and public policy
Explore social problems, causes, consequences, and solutions
Use writing and critical reflection as applied learning
Participate in dialogues and peer group discussions on prevalent issues in our society
Visit with community leaders, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations
Develop a participatory teach-in oriented toward action
Interact with leading scholars and practitioners to learn about leadership in practice
Work with Georgetown's Center for Social Justice faculty and staff
Improve your skills in public speaking, facilitation, project design, and collaboration
Program Format & Subject Areas
As a student in the Social Justice & Public Policy Academy, you'll spend your time engaged in a combination of class sessions, field trips, hands-on workshops, group discussions, and extracurricular activities. You'll register for one of eight tracks: Gender Justice, LGBT Justice, Racial Justice, Labor Justice, Environmental Justice, Disability Justice, Justice for Religious Minorities, or Immigrant Justice. These tracks will be grouped into two cohorts to facilitate focused learning in small, interactive groups.
Cohort A
Gender Justice
LGBT Justice
Racial Justice
Labor Justice
Cohort B
Environmental Justice
Gender Justice II (Previously Disability Justice)
Racial Justice II (Previously Justice for Religious Minorities)
Immigrant Justice
Regardless of the track you choose, you'll have the opportunity to explore the following subject areas:
Public policy
Social justice
Civil rights
Advocacy
Inequality
Awareness campaigns
Social problems
Public speaking
Facilitation
Creative problem-solving
Project design
Collaboration
It was amazing to be surrounded by such high caliber students and staff who were all encouraging and fabulous to work with. I took away many positive things from my week as a Summer Hoya.
Nicole Lyon
The program offers so much–from the off-site visits to the daily lectures and the on campus activities. The lectures were interesting, meeting new people was great and the off-site visits were interactive and intriguing.
Jazzelle DeLaney
My #SummerHoya experience was enriching, inspiring, and rewarding; if I could turn back the clock, I’d do it all over again.
Trevor Dalton
As I am filling out my college applications, I am able to think back to my memories from the summer and I am reassured that I am pursuing the right educational path.
Grace Hermes
Having the chance to experience once in a lifetime opportunities and getting to meet people from around the world made it so I got to really experience what college life was like.
Anthony DuPrau
Want to learn more?
Request information to find out the latest on the Summer Programs for High School Students.
