Critical identity studies (CRIS) examines how identities are formed and how they operate within systems of power. The field explores how race, gender, sexuality, class, dis/ability, religion, and nationality shape people’s experiences, opportunities, and relationships with institutions.
You gain tools to understand how identities intersect, how inequalities are created and sustained, and how individuals and communities work toward justice and transformation. You’ll learn how lived experiences connect to broader social structures and how to navigate differences with care, reflection, and critical insight.
A critical identity studies minor deepens your understanding of the world and strengthens your ability to work across differences in any field. Whether you are majoring in health sciences, education, sociology, political science, arts, business, or the humanities, this minor helps you analyze complex social issues and understand how identity impacts access, opportunity, and wellbeing.
Students develop skills in critical inquiry, empathetic communication, collaborative problem-solving, and community engagement, abilities that employers increasingly value in social services, nonprofits, public health, policy, education, and community-based careers.
Beloit College created the first program of this kind in the nation, offering an approach to identity and power that is interdisciplinary and grounded in real-world application. You benefit from a curriculum shaped by gender studies, ethnic studies, queer and trans studies, disability studies, postcolonial studies, and religious studies.
Students can explore topics through ten social justice blocks, such as Indigenous Studies, Race and Racialization, Criminal Justice and the Carceral State, Queer and Trans Studies, Colonialism and Decoloniality, and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Education, choosing pathways that complement their major. Faculty emphasize restorative justice, relationship-building, and reflective practice, preparing you to engage diverse communities thoughtfully and responsibly.
The critical identity studies minor introduces students to intersectionality, identity formation, systems of power, and social justice frameworks. Coursework blends theory with applied practice and encourages students to connect individual experiences to broader historical and structural contexts.
A minor in critical identity studies from Beloit College equips students with the ability to analyze identity, navigate difference, and engage thoughtfully with diverse communities. These skills enhance all majors and support work in fields centered on people, equity, or systems change.
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