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Peace and Conflict Studies Department

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Peace and Conflict Studies examines the nature of conflict and violence, the possibilities of social change and the means for resolving conflict nonviolently. The major draws on Guilford’s Quaker heritage by seeking the roots of injustice and oppression, while exploring nonviolent social change.

Students investigate central concepts in peace research and learn to analyze the interrelation between personal, local and global levels of conflict. Through practical problem solving, they examine the holistic relationship between personal and social change and evaluate structured modes of conflict resolution as well as creative nonviolent activism.

Throughout their inquiries, students build skills that help them solve problems of violence and conflict, listen carefully and caringly to others during conflict, and contribute to organizing groups and actions concerned with social change, conflict resolution, and transformation.

Graduates have gone on to study Peace and Conflict Studies, International Development, and law and they have built rewarding careers in teaching, at nonprofits aimed at social change, and also government and international organizations.


College Catalog

For more information about courses for the Peace and Conflict Studies Department, visit the online, searchable College Catalog. The Undergraduate Catalog also includes academic department and major information, academic regulations and resources, admission standards and requirements, and tuition, fees, and financial aid information.

Majors and Minors

  • Peace and Conflict Studies Major and Minor: The bachelor of arts in Peace and Conflict Studies melds two related fields of study — conflict resolution and peace studies — in a complementary, creative interaction. The major requires 32 credit hours, and the minor is 16 credit hours.

Peace and Conflict Studies Department News and Events

Life Through a Lens
Life Through a Lens

Annalee Durland-Jones ’22 has a talent for photography and seeing the beauty in everyone she encounters. Learn how she combines that with her Peace and Conflict Studies major to make a difference.

A Guilford Transformation
A Guilford Transformation

Read how Peace and Conflict Studies major Gia Gaster (Henry) '16 attended Guilford and studied to become a lawyer after driving a school bus for 20 years.

Building Bridges to College
Building Bridges to College

Daisy Arguello ’20 shares how her journey to college inspires her to help other teens, both strengthening how they can be better leaders and providing resources for them to attend college.

The Power of an Encouraging Word
The Power of an Encouraging Word

Life changes in subtle and dramatic ways. For Vung Ksor '17, a Peace and Conflict Studies major, it's primarily been the latter.

Meet the Professor: Zulfiya Tursunova [VIDEO]
Meet the Professor: Zulfiya Tursunova [VIDEO]

Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies Zulfiya Tursunova says she believes that the power of learning comes from the mind — and from the heart — especially…

Enhancing Advocacy Skills
Enhancing Advocacy Skills

Beatrice Niyibizi '22 writes about her participation in the Friends committee on National Legislation's virtual Spring Lobby event on the internship blog, Experience Matters.

Putting Peace to Practice
Putting Peace to Practice

Peace and Conflict Studies major and international student Kentaro Nakajima ’20 shares how Guilford College prepared him for his future with hands-on experiences and a supportive community.

Contact Us

Amr Abdalla
Amr Abdalla

Part-Time Faculty

Wess Daniels
Wess Daniels

William R. Rogers Director of Friends Center

Vernie Davis
Vernie Davis

Professor Emeritus of Peace and Conflict Studies

Ken Gilmore
Ken Gilmore

Professor for Political Science

Zulfiya Tursunova
Zulfiya Tursunova

Associate Professor for Peace and Conflict Studies

Cathryne Schmitz
Cathryne Schmitz