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Peace and Conflict Studies

The Peace and Conflict Studies minor is designed to equip students with knowledge and skills in conflict analysis, prevention, resolution and transformation. The program focuses primarily on conflict at the individual, social group, institutional and community levels. It addresses theory and practices to prevent, reduce, and resolve violent conflict, as well as the building up of normative and institutional frameworks for sustainable peace. In this, the program aims to prepare students to engage in the work of peacemaking in a variety of professional and non-professional settings, as well to pursue graduate level study in the field. Contact Dr. Judith Oleson, Department of Sociology and Social Work.

The minor is designed to complement any major that might lead students to study or work in potential conflict settings, such as:

  • International Studies
  • Economics and Business Administration
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Social Work
  • Christian Ministries
  • The Arts
  • Pre-Law
  • Any Science requiring collaborative research

Students who successfully complete the program will be able to demonstrate:

  • A capacity for self-reflection, so as to understand one’s own orientation with respect to conflict
  • An aptitude for organizational and community analysis in reference to conflict
  • An ability to integrate theories of justice in pursing the vision of shalom
  • An understanding of conflict as an opportunity for transformational change
  • An ability to integrate theologies of reconciliation
  • Basic skills in conflict mediation

Required Courses (16 credits):
SOC250 Peacemaking: Personal, Social, Global
PCS350 Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation (pending)
PCS400 Conflict Mediation: Theory and Practice (pending, or approved alternate)
PCS425 Internship (or approved senior research project (pending))

Elective Courses (8 credits selected from one of the following tracks)

Community Transformation Track
COM242 Interpersonal Communication
EDU245 Multicultural Education
PHI230 Ethics
PHI331 Community, Politics and the Good Life
POL214 American Domestic Policy
POL312 Justice
PSY353 Community Psychology
PSY360 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
SOC232 Diversity in U.S. Populations
SOC290 Urban Sociology
SWK302 Theory and Practice with Groups and Organizations
SWK401 Community and Sustainability
PCS426 Domestic Practicum in Peace and Conflict Studies (pending)

Global Justice Track
COM248 Intercultural Communication
ENG148 Literature and Human Rights
HIS238 A Century of Ideology and Bloodshed: Europe 1914-Present
HIS247 Britain and America in the Middle East
POL219 Politics and the Developing World
POL246 International Diplomacy: The Model United Nations
SOC340 Women and World Development
PCS427 International Practicum in Peace and Conflict Studies (pending)
Approved global education program

For more information contact Dr. Judith Oleson:


Associate Professor of Social Work