Peace and Conflict Studies Minor
Coordinator:
Vernie Davis
Department of Peace and Conflict Studies
Peace and conflict studies is an interdisciplinary minor that studies the nature of conflict and violence, the possibilities of social change and the means for resolving and transforming conflict nonviolently. The minor draws on Guilford’s Quaker heritage by seeking the roots of situations of injustice and oppression, exploring nonviolent social change, emphasizing each individual’s search for truth within different levels of community and focusing on practical problem-solving. Peace and conflict studies meldstwo related fields of study, conflict resolution and peace studies, in a complementary, creative interaction. It encourages an interdisciplinary, holistic relationship between personal and social change, structured modes of conflict resolution and creative nonviolent activism, careful analysis of structural violence and exploration of spiritual foundations for peaceable living and action.
Students in the minor engage in critical analysis in several key components of the field: theories of war and peace; central concepts in peace research; the interrelation among the personal, local and global levels of conflict and possibilities of reducing conflict; and methods and practices of conflict resolution, reduction and transformation. Students build skills that help them to solve problems of violence and conflict, to listen carefully and caringly to others in the midst of conflict and to contribute to organizing groups and actions concerned with social change and conflict resolution and transformation.
.
Minor Requirements
The minor requires a minimum of 21 credit hours (six courses).
1. PECS 101 Introduction to Peace & Conflict Studies |
1 credit |
2-3. One course from: |
4 credits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. PECS 290/390 Internship |
4 credits |
5. One course from: |
4 credits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6. One course from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total credit hours required for peace and conflict studies minor |
21 credits |