last modified:2008-11-14 14:43:02
Overview
INTERDISCIPLINARY UNDERGRADUATE MINOR
IN PEACE & CONFLICT STUDIES
College of Humanities, in Collaboration with the
Barbara L. and Norman C. Tanner Center
for Nonviolent Human Rights Advocacy,
College of Social and Behavioral Science
University of Utah
Purpose, Background and Overview
The Peace and Conflict Studies minor enables students to understand the dynamics of peace and conflict and to contribute to the creation of more just and peaceable conditions in the world. Courses focus on conflict theory, war and terrorism, just war theory, the history of peace efforts and non-violent social movements, community-based conflict management and resolution, and human rights. The Peace and Conflict Studies Minor facilitates the discovery of ways to eradicate violence and work toward peace, including the study of seemingly intractable conflicts on all levels. Through critical thinking and interdisciplinary approaches, conflict and peace will be examined at levels ranging from interpersonal to global. In fact, a hallmark of the study of Peace and Conflict at the University of Utah is the linkage between local and global issues: for example, by encouraging students to see how questions about immigration locally and in our state relate to debates over immigration at regional, national, and international levels. By building this knowledge and developing related practices of citizenship, students can help to transform society in ways that honor democracy and difference. Because a large part of peacemaking involves the appreciation of human diversity, all course menus for the minor include options focusing on non-western cultures; also on matters of difference related to religion, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic class. In addition, a number of related courses seek to model dialogue even as they involve the study of it. Students in the minor also will have an opportunity to enroll in a one-credit film/lecture seminar.
The Peace and Conflict Studies Minor can be used to complement and support studies in a variety of majors and minors, including other interdisciplinary programs in Asian Studies, Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Gender Studies, International Studies, Leadership Studies, the Middle East Center, and Latin American Studies.
Objectives and Outcomes for the Student
The student will:
- Analyze the etiology (origins) and current dynamics of peace and conflict issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including those of anthropology, communication, economics, history, philosophy, literature (English), political science, psychology, social work, sociology, and theatre.
- Suggest creative approaches and interventions to contemporary peace and conflict issues. For example, students will be encouraged to make connections between the processes used at the interpersonal, group and community levels to discuss, debate, and resolve issues and the types of issues faced at broader levels of society.
- Synthesize the approaches to peace and conflict studies that are presented in different disciplines. Ultimately, students are encouraged to formulate personal approaches to dealing with peace and conflict, bringing together their scholarly investigations, discussions with peers, and practical experiences (for example, in community-based or international internships).
- Be invited to participate in a variety of campus and community forums.
Program Administration and Advising
The interdisciplinary minor is closely connected to the Barbara L. and Norman C. Tanner Center for Nonviolent Human Rights Advocacy in collaboration with the College of Humanities, directed by George Cheney, Director george.cheney@utah.edu. For relevant forms and to declare your minor, you must contact Abby Dohanos, Undergraduate Advisor, Department of Communication abby.dohanos@utah.edu . For questions about program structure and activities, please contact Deb Callister, Program Assistant d.callister@utah.edu .
Requirements of the Minor
The minor introduces students to peace and conflict studies and provides them with an opportunity to focus on one area or theme. Students take a total of 18 credit hours as follows:
Category I – Capstone Courses
- Enroll in the interdisciplinary capstone course, designed as a common experience for P&CS minors. This is ordinarily offered in the spring and is widely advertised during the previous semester.
Category II- Theme Courses
- Take at least three courses from one of the six themes or areas: Diversity (DV), Global Justice Issues (GI), Human Rights (HR), Social Activism (SA), Interaction in Multiple Social Contexts (SA), or Process Skills (PS).
Category III – Enrichment/Additional Courses
- Take at least two additional courses from the list of Peace & Conflict Studies minor course electives. These may support your chosen theme or represent one (or two) of the other five themes.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Take no more than three courses (or nine credit hours) from a single department (e.g. COMM, SOC, POLS).
- Have no more than one course overlapping with your major, certificate program, or allied courses.
- Have no more than one course overlapping with an additional minor.
- Have no more than one lower-division course (3 credit hours) from the approved list count toward completion of the minor.
***DARS is not an approval mechanism for meeting the Peace & Conflict Studies Minor. It is your responsibility to monitor the total number of hours you are completing in each department. Additionally, you must ensure you are not counting more than one course for any other requirement toward completion of your degree(s).