My ISS Path
My degree in Integrated Social Sciences (ISS) has taught me how to be a more engaged global citizen.When I drafted my first entry for my ISS learning plan, my goal was to broaden my capacity for critical analysis of social phenomena. Issues surrounding socioeconomic inequality were particularly interesting because of my work at a nonprofit community clinic. I was aware of social inequality, but not fully equipped to place specific problems within a global context.
My interest in inequality lead me to investigate the social science concept of development. Both the courses Failed States and Political Economy of Development delved into different theories concerning the economic, social, and political ramifications of development. Social Justice and the City probed developmental inequality related to urban planning while Comparative Media Systems assessed development through innovative forms of communication. I learned not to discredit social theories with shortcomings, but rather carefully decipher weaknesses and biases within a broader context.The course Failed States brought on this realization because each unit presented a new analysis of failed states that in part reinforced previous theories, while contradicting others. For issues that are as complex as failing states, there are no easy, concise answers. In order to fully understand how inequality manifests in failed states, I had to suss out relevant details from a range of studies.
Considering complex social justice issues from multiple, and at times contradicting perspectives, has been an integral part of my academic experience. Enrolling in courses that employ multiple disciplines sometimes left me with more questions than answers. How do we as a society address globalization? Why do some states succeed when others fail? What causes homelessness?I have gained the skills to think about these complex questions in a more nuanced way. While I might not solve all global injustices just yet, the course Globalization and Me taught me to connect my daily actions to outcomes of globalization. I am now better equipped to make informed decisions and actively dismantle institutions that perpetuate global inequality. An act as simple as not purchasing products from transnational corporations with poor labor protects has an impact on cycles of inequality.
I am more capable and less overwhelmed by civic engagement with social justice issues since enrolling. While at the University of Washington, I joined a student group, the Tent City Collective, which advocates on behalf of populations experiencing homelessness. Studying the conditions and global trends that influence rates of homelessness inspired my involvement and enriched my work. I could place the reasons people became homeless in Seattle within a broader context of social, political, and economic instability including access to healthcare, housing affordability, trends in job security, and neoliberal policies. Being able to discuss factors leading to homelessness was critical to becoming an incisive advocate.
Considering complex social justice issues from multiple, and at times contradicting perspectives, has been an integral part of my academic experience. Enrolling in courses that employ multiple disciplines sometimes left me with more questions than answers. How do we as a society address globalization? Why do some states succeed when others fail? What causes homelessness?I have gained the skills to think about these complex questions in a more nuanced way. While I might not solve all global injustices just yet, the course Globalization and Me taught me to connect my daily actions to outcomes of globalization. I am now better equipped to make informed decisions and actively dismantle institutions that perpetuate global inequality. An act as simple as not purchasing products from transnational corporations with poor labor protects has an impact on cycles of inequality.
I am more capable and less overwhelmed by civic engagement with social justice issues since enrolling. While at the University of Washington, I joined a student group, the Tent City Collective, which advocates on behalf of populations experiencing homelessness. Studying the conditions and global trends that influence rates of homelessness inspired my involvement and enriched my work. I could place the reasons people became homeless in Seattle within a broader context of social, political, and economic instability including access to healthcare, housing affordability, trends in job security, and neoliberal policies. Being able to discuss factors leading to homelessness was critical to becoming an incisive advocate.