The Justice Studies Institute (JSI) works to advance interdisciplinary examination and collaboration on justice-based issues at St. Thomas Aquinas College and in the broader community.
WHO:
Housed in the School of Arts & Social Sciences (SASS), JSI is composed of a mix of faculty members from across SASS, bringing together a diverse disciplinary background to the Institute.
WHAT:
JSI seeks to foster a unique space for academic and activist conversations with STAC students and the broad community on critical social issues. Through a diverse range of panels, invited guest speakers, sponsored film screenings, and topic-based discussions, the Institute aims to be at the forefront of community justice discussions in Rockland County and to cultivate STAC students as active citizens and community members.
WHY:
It is imperative that SASS take the lead in bringing national discussions on a range of justice issues to the STAC community, and make critical links between these national conversations and local inequities right here in Rockland County.
For more information, contact: JSI@STAC.edu
Director:
Heath Bowen
Associate Professor of History, Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences
hbowen@stac.edu
845-398-4380
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Neerja Chaturvedi
Professor of History
Ellen Chayet
Professor of Criminal Justice
Donald Johnson
Associate Professor of Physics
Craig Martin
Professor of Religious Studies
Stacy Sewell
Professor of History and Assistant Dean of the School of Arts & Social Sciences and STEM
Past Events
Held on Wednesday, April 19 at 2:45pm in the College’s Lougheed Library Reading Room
Four days before he was assassinated in 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his last Sunday sermon, “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution,” at the Washington National Cathedral. Here, King perhaps gave his most compelling argument for addressing the racial wealth gap in America and the debt owed to descendants of slaves. In honor of Black History Month, join us to discuss King’s message, the economics of racism, and the case for reparations. The event is free and open to all students, faculty, staff, and the public. A celebration in recognition of Black History Month will follow.
Panelists: Rev. Dr. Brandon McLauchlin, Pastor St. Charles AME Zion, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies
Dr. Stacy Sewell, Assistant Dean, School of Arts & Social Sciences, Professor of History
October 19th, 2022 — 7:00 PM
Sullivan Theater
Even the Rain (2010), directed by Icíar Bollaín
Screening and discussion with Dr. Robert Ingoglia, Adjunct Professor of History.
As a director and his crew shoot a controversial film about Christopher Columbus in Cochabamba, Bolivia, local people rise up against plans to privatize the water supply. Join us for a thoughtful discussion regarding the historical legacy of colonialism and modern-day efforts to privatize natural resources in Latin America.
October 12th, 2022 — 7:00 PM
Sullivan Theater
A Discussion with German Jaramillo
Actor, director, and producer, Jaramillo was born in Manizales, Caldas, Colombia. He is well known for Our Lady of the Assassins (2000), Paraiso Travel (2008), and Narcos (2015). Join us for an in-depth discussion of Jaramillo’s work and in particular his role in the filming of Netflix’s popular show, Narcos, and the depiction of Latin American drug cartels in popular cinema.
October 5th, 2022 — 7:00 PM
Sullivan Theater
Tamara (2016), directed by Elia Schneider
Screening and discussion with Joseph Novoa, Executive Producer
Join us for a lively and engaging discussion with Joseph Novoa, executive producer of Tamara. Inspired by the courageous life of Venezuela’s first transgender elected official, Tamara Adrián, Tamara tells the story of a lawyer and professor of law’s journey to overcome his fears and the social boundaries to become what he always dreamed of: a woman like any other.
In this deep dive into education, incarceration, and re-entry, three conversations have built on each other to provide participants with a rounded and complex understanding of the challenges facing formerly incarcerated individuals.
In Part 3, guests heard from STAC faculty who have first-hand experience teaching at Sullivan Correctional Facility with Hudson Link.
Part 3: Lessons from Teaching at Sullivan: Educating Incarcerated Students
Hosts: Dr. Ben Wagner and Dr. Stacy Sewell
Featuring: Susan Rucano, Evan Matthews, Meghan DeWitt, and Barbara Yontz
View the conversation here.
In this deep dive into education, incarceration, and re-entry, three conversations have built on each other to provide participants with a rounded and complex understanding of the challenges facing formerly incarcerated individuals.
Part 2 brings together leading activists from Rockland and Westchester County who work to improve the re-entry process and make connections between incarceration and higher education.
Part 2: The Challenges of Re-Entry During a Pandemic: A Panel Discussion
Hosts: Dr. Ellen Chayet and Dr. Carolyn Fraker
Featured Guests: Sean Pica (Hudson Link), Nicole Prais (Bridges), and Tarik Greene (OWDS and Activist for Returned Citizens)
View the conversation here.
On February 16, 2022, STAC’s Justice Studies Institute welcomed STAC students Eldredge Blalock and Jose Fitzgerald who gave a first-hand account of the transition from college while incarcerated to joining a college campus post-incarceration.
Part 1: The Experience: What is it like to be a Formerly Incarcerated Student?
Hosts: Dr. Stacy Sewell and Dr. Ellen Chayet
In this deep dive into education, incarceration, and re-entry, three conversations will build on each other to provide participants with a rounded and complex understanding of the challenges facing formerly incarcerated individuals.
St. Thomas Aquinas College’s Justice Studies Institute held a virtual conversation concerning the war in Ukraine, an event that has engendered many emotions. Our panelists shared their perspectives, answered questions, and facilitated an open conversation.
STAC students, employees, and faculty were invited to attend.
The event took place on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 4:00 PM via Zoom, and featured the following panelists:
- Heath Bowen, Dean, School of Arts and Social Sciences
- Neerja Chaturvedi, Professor of History
- Sofiia Shutko, History Major, Class of 2021
This event was co-sponsored by the Social Justice & Equity Forum and Student Government Association.
Justice Studies Document Series
In recognition of Black History and Women’s History Months, the Justice Studies Institute honored bell hooks, the acclaimed black feminist, social activist, and fiercely antiracist scholar who recently passed away at the age of 69. In addition to highlighting the significance of her work, guests discussed its implications for creating a more just and equal society.
hooks’ brief essay, “Love as the Practice of Freedom,” was a focal point of the conversation.
More information about bell hooks can be found through The bell hooks Center at Berea College.
This discussion was held via Zoom with STAC’s Dr. Neerja Chaturvedi and Dr. Donald Johnson.
On September 16, 2021, STAC’s Justice Studies Institute welcomed Congressional Representative Mondaire Jones for a virtual event. In recognition of Constitution Day and the launch of the College’s Justice Studies Institute, this virtual event allowed members of the STAC community to converse with Congressional Representative Mondaire Jones and learn more about the social justice conversations happening on campus.
March 23, 2021
With Associate Professor Ernesto Silva of Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas College Professor Oscar Gonzalez-Barreto.
ABOUT
The Justice Studies Institute at St. Thomas Aquinas College supports the fostering of conversations in and outside the classroom on broad justice topics. This includes, but is not limited to, interdisciplinary examinations of racism and racial justice, economic and wealth inequalities, health and environmental justice, US foreign policy, criminal justice reform, LGBTQ rights, education justice, and gender equity.
We work to:
- Build a community among students and faculty concerning broad justice topics.
- Foster critical public conversations within Rockland County on a range of justice issues.
- Create a home within SASS for faculty pursuing research concerning justice.
- Enrich public knowledge on justice issues within the STAC community.
- Invest in the development of socially engaged students.