Social Justice Requirement

CSW is proud to be the first independent school in the country to include a Social Justice Requirement among our graduation requirements — evidence of our deep commitment to cultivating engaged citizens with global consciousness and a sense of social responsibility. During their time at CSW, students must take at least 10 classes that reflect the diverse viewpoints, complexity, and richness of the world in which we live. Over 80 approved courses, spanning all departments, challenge students to explore multiple perspectives, examine structures of power and privilege, study models of social change, and engage in meaningful and purposeful action. CSW graduates will have the empathy and skills to overcome language and cultural divides, and the ability and resourcefulness to build a better world.
 
To satisfy the Social Justice Graduation Requirement, a course must examine:

  • Historical and contemporary issues from the perspectives of non-western cultures and/or historically oppressed groups.
  • Structures of power and privilege — their history, causes, and effects.
  • Models of social change, with the goal of advancing human rights and equity.

Michael H. Feldman'67 Social Justice Day

Each spring CSW holds an annual school-wide event known as the Michael H. Feldman Social Justice Day. Formerly known as Law Day, the event was established in 1975 by Shirley and Roger Feldman in memory of their son, Michael Feldman ’67. The event explores various viewpoints on important legal and social issues of the day, creating opportunities for student discussion and debate, as well as guest speakers and presentations. Students are pivotal in choosing the focus of the day, researching and preparing materials, and educating the CSW community about the chosen topic. Recent Social Justice Days have focused on themes ranging from labor practices and consumerism, to the issue of water privatization. We invite you to view the video and photo gallery, which includes images from past Social Justice Days. 

Mark '82, Founder of College Bound Dorchester

Did You Know?


More than 80 courses, that span all departments, fulfill the Social Justice Requirement. Some of these courses include:

  • African Apics from the Oral Tradition
  • The Art of Buildings
  • Cultural Studies in Dance
  • Discovering India
  • Drawing: Otherness and Social Justice
  • Examining Media as a Mirror: A Statistical Approach to Deconstructing False Narratives
  • French Elective II: Literature and Arts
  • Harry: White Masculinity in American Literature
  • Latinx Literature
  • Modern Africa
  • Off Campus to China & Taiwan
  • Pocket Players
  • Social and Political Theatre
  • Spanish Elective V: Current Events in the Spanish-Speaking World
  • Topics in Jazz History
  • Totalitarianism Past & Present
  • U.S. Jailhouse Nation: History of Crime, Punishment, and Mass Incarceration
  • U.S. Native Americans
  • U.S. Youth Subcultures
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CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.