Peace and Justice Studies

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Faculty Mentors: Tamara L. Faux (Social Work); Sonja C. Lynch (English); David A. McCullough (Biology); Penni M. Pier (Journalism/Communication); Daniel R. Sundblad (Sociology); Paula Survilla (Music); and Kunihiko Terasawa (World Religions)

Vision:

This interdisciplinary program will prepare students for vocations in organizations that seek to establish peace and justice among individuals, communities, and nations. It is ideal for students interested in work with non-governmental organizations such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Amnesty International or church-related organizations such as Lutheran World Relief, the Catholic Worker Movement or American Friends Service Committee. It also provides excellent preparation for students who plan careers in politics or law or for those with a passion to make matters of peace and justice a part of their lives and careers. The course of study will provide:

• a historical understanding of the struggle to promote human rights, peace, justice, and freedom from oppression.
• models for understanding the causes of violence, oppression, and injustice.
• theories of peace and justice that ground concrete practices.
• strategies for the remediation of violence and injustice.

Peace and Justice Studies can be pursued as a solo major, or it may be combined with another discipline such as religion, law, journalism, social work or international relations. The major includes four courses in a “specialty tier” of the student’s choosing. These tiers include Gender Studies, Environmental Studies, Social Structures and Attitudes, Religion and Philosophy, Communication and Persuasion, International Relations, and Business/Economics. Courses in the specialty tier provide breadth and prepare students for specific vocations.

Mission:

Peace and Justice Studies (major, minor) is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for vocations that seek to establish peace and justice among individuals, communities, and nations.

Intended Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. describe theories of peace and justice and their secular and/or religious foundations.
2. appraise historical struggles to promote human rights, peace, justice, and freedom from oppression.
3. analyze social, economic, political, psychological, environmental, and religious causes of violence, oppression, and injustice.
4. formulate strategies to remediate violence and injustice and to transform the social and economic structures underlying these problems.
5. apply skills for peace and justice advocacy and political action.

Programs

• Peace and Justice Studies, B.A.  

• Peace and Justice Studies Minor  

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