Peace Studies

Welcome to the Peace Studies webpage. On this page you'll find the mission of the department, departmental student learning goals, a curricular map and assessment schedule, and progress made from the most recent Program Review Action Plan (2013-2014). If you have questions about the assessment findings or questions about the department, please contact Jeff Anderson, Peace Studies Department Chair, at [email protected].

MISSION

The peace studies program encourages students to think and act with responsible human freedom and to be capable of effective service to others. Inside and outside of the classroom the Peace Studies Department seeks to cultivate an environment for learning which draws its deepest inspiration from a desire for the truth, for justice and for charity. Our commitment to community-based education is evidenced by the internships and service learning activities that peace studies majors and minors undertake.

Practitioners in the field of peace studies are aware that any concrete situation reflects multiple issues. Effective peacemaking and conflict resolution thus requires an ability to synthesize the strands involved in the conflict, including gender and ethnicity, economics and environment, religion and philosophy, culture and government, history and literature, psychology and social structure.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

Graduates of the Peace Studies program will:

Goal 1: Students will understand the causes and dynamics of conflict, violence and peace at the intergroup and international levels.

Goal 1a. Students will understand, compare and evaluate theories and research on the causes of intergroup and international conflict and violence.

Goal 1b. Students will understand, compare and evaluate theories and research on the conditions for peaceful and just social systems.

Goal 1c. Students will understand, evaluate and be able to use the techniques and channels available for peaceful conflict management, resolution, and transformation.

Goal 1d. Students will understand, compare and evaluate theories and research on nonviolent social and political power.

Goal 1e. Students will understand, compare and evaluate religious and ethical theories concerning violence, peace and justice.

Goal 2. Students will apply peace studies concepts and skills in experiential learning settings.

Goal 2a. Students will apply peace studies concepts and skills through the required peace studies internship.

Goal 2b. Students who wish to do so will be able to apply peace studies concepts and skills through service-learning options available in some peace studies courses.