Peace and Justice Studies explores the causes and nature of conflict and war; the connections between violence, terrorism, war, and social life; and models of peace-building, healing, and reconciliation in the resolution and transformation of conflict.

The interdisciplinary minor draws from courses across a wide range of disciplines, covering such topics as the culture of war and peace, law and society, environmental ethics, the Holocaust, and the U.S. and the Middle East. We encourage students who minor in Peace and Justice Studies to take advantage of opportunities relevant to the field, such as fieldwork, service learning, internships, and study abroad.

• the gateway course: IDS 121 Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies
• at least two courses at the 200-level chosen from a list of designated Peace and Justice Studies courses
• at least two courses at the 300/400 level chosen from the same list

Of the courses taken beyond the gateway course, at least one must have a global/international focus and at least one must have a local/domestic focus.  Moreover, courses taken for the minor must be selected from at least two of the College's academic divisions: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and the arts.

One of the courses taken at the 300/400 level will be designated as the capstone for the minor, and may be an independent study.

The gateway course, Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies, offers an introductory exploration of peace and justice-related issues (e.g., war, poverty, and racism).  It includes a service-learning requirement intended to help students begin to bridge theory and practice.

An additional 100-level course that complements issues and methods covered in the gateway course may be taken.  The remaining courses required for the minor, taken from courses at the 200, 300 or 400 level, allow students either to examine peace and justice issues from a wide angle of vision or to concentrate more narrowly on a specific area of interest.  In the capstone course, students will have the opportunity to bring together their courses in an intentional way by focusing on a particular topic or area of interest.