Minor & Certificate program

Program Goals

The minor in Peace Studies is an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary program designed to introduce undergraduate students to the basic causes, technological principles and potential consequences of conflict. More essential, the program will afford students the opportunity to examine alternatives to war and to reflect upon the nature of peace as a sustainable condition at the individual as well as collective level.

In order to satisfy these broader goals, the following specific objectives have been identified:

  • ground students in the essential theories, methodologies and practical applications of relevant disciplines concerning war and peace,
  • assist students in integrating theory and practice through field and/or research experience,
  • encourage dialogue and collaboration among students and faculty in the on-going development of the peace studies curriculum.

Ultimately, the goals of the Peace Studies minor reinforce the overall goals of liberal arts education – to inform, to enrich and to strengthen humanistic values in our society. The minor offers a unique, interdisciplinary addition to existing programs in the College of Arts and Sciences.

  1. General Requirements

    1. 24 hours of PCST of which;
    2. 3 hours of PCST 102 -Introduction to Peace Studies / meets US Global Equity & Inclusion
    3. 15 hours of 300 level of above; and only
    4. 6 hours of Internship PCST 400 (substitution possible with director approval)

  2. Minor Degree – Specialized Plan A - C (Arts & Sciences majors only); Plan D (University College - LAIS majors only)

    1. Plan A
      1. 24 hours of which
      2. 3 hours of PCST 102 -Introduction to Peace Studies
      3. 9 hours of Justice & Healing (selected from A&S); and
      4. 12 hours of electives from Arts and Sciences (taken in one of the following departments: Africana Studies, Chicano (a) Studies, International Studies, Native American Studies, Sustainability Studies, and Women’s Studies) - Minimum of 6 of the 12 hours at the 300 level or above from each department
    2. Plan B
      1. 24 hours of which
      2. 3 hours of PCST 102 -Introduction to Peace Studies
      3. 9 hours of Violence Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Transformation courses (selected from A&S); and
      4. 12 hours of electives from Arts and Sciences (taken in one of the following departments: Africana Studies, Chicano (a) Studies, International Studies, Native American Studies, Sustainability Studies, and Women’s Studies) - Minimum of 6 of the 12 hours at the 300 level or above from each department
    3. Plan C
      1. 24 hours of which
      2. 3 hours of PCST 102 -Introduction to Peace Studies
      3. 9 hours of Institutional, Systems Change and Development courses (selected from A&S); and
      4. 12 hours of electives from Arts and Sciences (taken in one of the following departments: Africana Studies, Chicano (a) Studies, International Studies, Native American Studies, Sustainability Studies, and Women’s Studies) - Minimum of 6 of the 12 hours at the 300 level or above from each department
    4. Plan D
      1. 24 hours of which
      2. 3 hours of PCST 102 -Introduction to Peace Studies
      3. 9 hours of PCST Integrated courses from Plans A-C; and
      4. 12 hours of electives from Arts and Sciences (taken in one of the following departments: Africana Studies, Chicano (a) Studies, International Studies, Native American Studies, Sustainability Studies, and Women’s Studies) or University College/Liberal Arts & Integrative Studies (Includes LAIS 150 Fundamentals of Integrative Thought) - Minimum of 6 of the 12 hours at the 300 level or above from each department