SJCS banner image (above) by: Bria Miller
The Department of Social Justice & Community Studies (SJCS) at Saint Mary’s University is unique in the region and across Canada through its dual focus on social justice and community engagement dedicated to understanding and challenging unequal power relations. We offer strong interdisciplinary training to promote social responsibility and the development of active citizens. We do so by fostering intersectional knowledge and community engagement around unequal power relations, and social and historical resistance and organizing. SJCS fosters this knowledge and community engagement with the aim of building stronger institutional and community relationships with and between diverse Indigenous peoples, African Nova Scotians, migrant peoples, and historically settled white Nova Scotians and Canadians.
Saint Mary's University is in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki, the Ancestral and Unceded Territory of the L'nu'k*
Based on student and BA Advising feedback we expanded the list of non-SJCS course options for SJCS credit under Major & Minor Requirements. Please see the SJCS-approved List of Non-SJCS courses eligible for SJCS credits .
These courses will be listed in the 2027-2028 Academic Calendar. Contact sjcs@smu.ca or your Academic Advisor for more information
Visit the Future Students website to learn about admissions requirements, important application dates, life at SMU and more!
*What is now called the Maritimes is governed by the Peace and Friendship Treaties between the Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Nations and the British Crown. For more information on these treaties, see the resources provided by Cape Breton University.