Civic responsibility. Racial equality. Community leadership. Sept. 11.

A new course offered by the African and African-American studies department is attempting to combine these diverse issues to foster real-world understanding and skills.

The class is part of a special-topic course that examines a different socially relevant issue each semester.

This semester, African and African-American studies 497D (Peer education for Social Change: How Do We Educate for Cultural Understanding after 9/11?), will examine social justice issues in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

"Every semester I try to really capture what I know is on the mind of students," said Erik Malewski (graduate-curriculum and administration), the course's instructor. "It was clear when I was talking to students that Sept. 11 was still an enigma . . . it was still a trauma. And I thought we had to break it open and really talk about it."

The events of Sept. 11 relate to African and African-American studies because of the race-related justice issues that have arisen, Malewski said. For example, he said victims who were illegal immigrants were excluded from receiving benefits. He also said the media focused on white victims and survivors more than minorities.

"Equality should always be on the front burner. If we have that awareness, we have a way to go about making an equitable world," he said.

The course begins by exposing students to the topic of social justice and examining the works of people Malewski dubs "inspirational thinkers." This semester, students will read 9-11, a book by Noam Chomsky.

The course also focuses on concrete ways students can pursue a social change agenda. As a major component of the course, students must work together to create on-campus programs dealing with the issue the course is addressing. Malewski walks students through the process of planning and executing these programs.

"I want to think about the philosophy of what they're doing, but also the very practical," Malewski said. "I teach them the down and dirty laundry list of things students have to do to organize an event."

Past students of the AAA S 497D course have organized workshops in the HUB-Robeson Center and dorms, planned panel discussions and arranged film viewings, Malewski said.

Chester Asher (junior-political science), a student in the course, said the program-planning aspect of the course was very helpful to him.

"This class actually has an aspect where you can apply what you've been learning. Other courses leave you with an academic feel, but this course offers a real-world understanding," Asher said.

Aside from teaching students how to organize educational programs on campus, Malewski said he hopes the course will show students how to address issues of social justice throughout their lives.

"The class is not just about peer education, but how to live a meaningful life," Malewski said. "How can I say that I've made the world a better place -- that's the question I ask students as they leave the course."

Kidane Mengisteab, head of the African and African-American studies department, said special topic courses are helpful to the department because they allow faculty members to teach courses about contemporary issues.

The topic for next semester's AAA S 497D course has not yet been determined.