111 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies. (4)

176 January Term Topics. (0-4)

177 January Term Core Topics. (0-4)

211 Technologies of Nonviolence/Violence. (4)

215 Science, Environment and Society.(4)

271 Individual Learning Project. (1-4)

276 January Term Topics. (0-4)

277 January Term Core Topics. (0-4)

333 Jewish/Christian Foundations of Violence/Nonviolence. (4)

343 Philosophies of Violence/Nonviolence. (4)

346 Mediation and Conflict Resolution. (4)

349 International Law and International Organization. (4)

353 Peace Studies Science Symposium. (4)

354 Global Environmental Politics. (4)

368 Special Topics. (4)

371 Individual Learning Project. (1-4)

375 Supervised Study. (0-4)

376 January Term Topics. (0-4)

377 January Term Core Topics. (0-4)

397 Internship. (4-8)

398 Honors Senior Essay, Research, or Creative Project. (4)

399 Peace Studies Seminar. (4)

Faculty: Jeffrey Anderson, Phillip Durkee, Vera Eccarius-Kelly, Kaarin Johnston, Wendy Klepetar

What gives rise to any new field of study? A need to know. In the midst of a world of violence, technologized violence, rapid violence, instant awareness of violence, the human race needs to know about violence and nonviolence. Where is violence coming from? Can we find any way to overcome violence? Out of this need to know a new field of studies is emerging from the ashes of burnt cities and the disappearance of forests and the pollution of water. From the modern technologies of military destruction arises the need to know. As Jews and Arabs face each other across the banks of the Jordan comes the feeling, "We've got to understand this." Those who hear Christians and Jews and Muslims fighting one another in the name of God and fighting each other in the name of their sect feel the need to understand so that someday things may be different. From the death chambers deep inside of prisons comes the question, "Why this?" We need to understand so that our world and our neighborhood may be different.

Out of this need has emerged the relatively new field of peace studies. Out of this need comes the attempt to look at the history of violence and nonviolence in our world. From this need comes the desire to see how poverty and pollution and inequality generate violence. From the violence of crime and prison emerges the question of why. These "whys" of violence lead quickly to the question, "Well, now what shall we do?" Negotiation? Faith-based non-violence? Just war? Development techniques? Structural analysis of violence and nonviolence and the technologies which feed both?

The six required courses which touch on these questions are completed by a concentration in some specific arena of conflict looked at through the lenses of the humanities or the social sciences or the natural sciences.

PCST 111, 211 or 215 (except for those in natural science concentration), 333 or 343, 346, 397 and 399.

Special Requirements for the Major

Each peace studies major selects a concentration in the Humanities or in the Natural Sciences or in the Social Sciences.

Humanities Concentration
(28 additional credits)

The humanities concentration will include seven PCST humanities courses, chosen by the peace studies major to fit her/his particular focus. The selection will need the approval of the student's adviser and the department chair. Students with a humanities concentration will take PCST 333 or PCST 343 (whichever was not taken for the basic requirements). Five of these courses must be upper division.

Natural Sciences Concentration (34-56 additional credits)

PCST 353 (or a substitute approved by the student's adviser), plus a major or minor in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics or nutrition; one PCST humanities course chosen in consultation with the student's adviser; one PCST social science course, also chosen in consultation with the student's adviser.

Social Science Concentration
(28 additional credits)

Seven PCST courses chosen in consultation with the student's adviser, in order to fit her/his particular focus within the department. Five of these courses must be upper division.

Required courses

PCST 111. 211 or 215 (or approved substitute), 333 or 343, 346, 397 and 399.

Acceptance into Upper Division

At the time that the peace studies major applies for official acceptance into the department, ordinarily at the beginning of the second semester of his/her sophomore year, the student will prepare a focus statement, which will contain two basic elements: 1) what has drawn the student towards a peace studies major; 2) the particular area of interest which the student would like to choose as the organizing theme of her/his course work in peace studies.

As is obvious, a successful major in peace studies must have a tightly focused concentration in order to insure her/his preparation for graduate school or the work world. The major in peace studies requires a great deal of contact between the peace studies student and the peace studies adviser in order to insure a focused program of studies.

However, it might be helpful to list some courses within the Humanities and Social Sciences which might easily be approved for inclusion in a peace studies major.

Humanities: COMM 101, 205, 250, 251, 265, 303, 304, 350, 351, 367; ENGL 382, 383, 388; HIST 120, 302, 316, 317, 321, 322, 323, 344. 355, 364. 365. 368; SPAN 336. 345; PHIL 130; some topics courses within theology.

Social Sciences: ECON 111, 317, 325, 332, 333, 353, 356, 361, 362; POLS 121, 325, 339, 340, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 352, 353 (cross listed with PCST 349), 354 (cross listed with PCST 354), 355; PSYC 111, 310, 350, 354; SOCI 111, 250, 329, 330, 333, 334, 336, 338, 340, 341, 342, 346, 347, 351, 353.

Each student must receive approval from her/his adviser for any courses within the concentration which will count towards the major. The department chair will sign off on the list of courses.

Courses

(PCST)

Examination of the field of conflict (e.g., between individuals, groups and societies, within and between nations), the relationship of the roots of conflict to social concepts of gender, and the resolution of conflict through such methods as direct action, mediation, arbitration, removal of the sources of conflict through economic, social and political development. Study of examples in historical context. Fall and spring.

177 January Term Core Topics. (0-4)

Study at the introductory level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

211 Technologies of Nonviolence/Violence. (4)  [Top]

Study of two types of technologies and their underlying scientific principles: (1) technologies with potential to advance the development of a peaceful and sustainable society; and (2) those which could cause destruction of humanity and the environment. Fall.

Introduction to global ecology, environmental studies, technology and world problems, the nature of scientific inquiry and the historical emergence of modern science. Special attention given to world problems of hunger, population growth, depletion of natural resources and pollution. Spring. Cross-listed with COLG 115.

Supervised reading or research at the lower-division level. Permission of department chair required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.

Study of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

Study of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

This course examines the Jewish and Christian Scriptures for their attitudes towards peace and justice in the City of God and the Human City. Are both peace and justice required for entrance into the City of God? Is that City of God here on earth or only in the afterlife? How does the Christian Church move from pacifism to just war theory? How does one deal with massive injustice in the world? Do the Christian Gospels demand that one value equally nonviolence and justice? Or is one or the other higher? What of the Jewish tradition demand for justice and peace? What is the obligation of the believer towards the creation of justice and peace in both the Christian and Jewish traditions?

This course looks at the way that the search for security and the claim to possession of absolute truth can lead to violence. The way of thinking involved in technology easily structures the world so that whatever does not fit into that framework is discounted and ignored and treated violently, as the philosopher Martin Heidegger shows. How does such an attitude lead to violence? Finally, the course will look at the nonviolent ethical response which the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas demands from the person who hears the call of the poor and the oppressed when they cry out against their oppression and poverty.

This course examines the nature of human conflict and the avenues for managing and resolving conflict nonviolently. It develops skills in conflict assessment, negotiation, and mediation. Intervention in disputes at the group, organizational, family and other levels are examined and practiced. The role of gender is given special emphasis. The theory and methods of nonviolent direct action against an opponent are studied.

This course will examine the historical and current development of international law and the emergence of different forms of international organization. There will be a special emphasis on the post-WW II period when there was a virtual revolution in international law, as reflected in the Nuremberg trial, Geneva conventions, the end of colonialism, and the international declaration on human rights. Case studies will be the mode of access into the relationship between international law and international organizations such as the United Nations, the special legal status of Berlin, the World Health Organization and trade/monetary regimes. Cross-listed as POLS 353.

Investigation of scientific/technical aspects of some major technologies used in modern warfare and their potential environmental impact. Examination of selected technologies used in the enhancement of world peace. Selection of topics depends on the interests/background of students and instructors. Prerequisite: five courses in a natural science or mathematics sequence.

Explores the nature of the environment as an international political issue. Specifically, topics to be covered include: transnational environmental movements, North-South issues, restrictions on national sovereignty, the environmental impacts of international monetary and trade organizations, and the effectiveness of global conferences. Cross-listed as POLS 354. Alternate years.

Students applying to the HECUA program take a full semester program of studies. One of their courses is an independent study; an eight credit internship is part of the program. The third course, covering the economics, political life and sociology of the region in conflict will be credited as PCST 368.

Supervised reading or research at the upper-division level. Projects are understood to be part of a student's concentration area work. Permission of department chair and completion and/or concurrent registration of 12 credits within the department required. Not available to first-year students.

Full-time learning experience during the January Term done under the direction of a faculty moderator, often in conjunction with an off-campus supervisor. Requires permission of instructor. Not available to first-year students.

Study at the upper-division level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

Study at the upper-division level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

Each peace studies major and minor is required to spend a minimum of 320 hours in a placement relating to conflict. All student proposals for internships will meet the criteria established by the peace studies program and will demonstrate the relationship of the proposed internship to the purposes of the program. Ordinarily, the internship will precede PCST 399.

Required for graduation with "All-College Honors" and "Departmental Distinction in Peace Studies." Prerequisite: HONR 396 and approval of the department chair and director of the honors program. For further information see HONR 398.