Peace and conflict studies

In contribution to the mission of Bluffton University, a peace and conflict studies minor offers students the opportunity to pursue peacemaking and conflict management in coordination with an academic major. The peace and conflict studies minor seeks to:

• provide a theoretical, analytical and strategic background for peace and conflict studies;
• develop the concept of peace as a way of looking at and acting in the world and as a practical, realistic approach to contemporary issues and problems;
• develop awareness of the relevance of PCS to other academic disciplines; and
• prepare students to apply and model their knowledge of PCS in a variety of life situations.

 
The peace studies coordinator will serve as a second advisor for students for the PCS minor and will oversee the students' completion of the minor as outlined above and in coordination with the major advisor. 

More info on peace and conflict studies...

Minor

(20-22 hours)

Core: (9 hours)
PCS 230 Theories of Peace and Conflict (3)
PLS 272 Global Politics (3)
REL 373 War, Peace and Nonviolence (3)

Three of the following from different disciplinary areas: (9 hours)
In general, this means choosing classes from three different prefixes. To qualify for a PCS minor, students cannot count more than six semester hours from other major or minor or from their general education requirements.

 NSC 107 Global Climate Change (3) (with a major project related to peace and conflict studies)

COM 195 Interpersonal Communication (3)
   or  COM 275 Organizational Communication (3)
   or  SWK 240/PSY 240 Interviewing:  Theoretical & Skill Based Approaches(3)

CRJ 340 Conflict Transformation and Mediation (3)  
   or  CRJ 345 Restorative Justice Theory and Practice (3)

ECN 382 Economic Development and the Environment (3)

ENG 243 Studies in American Literature (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  ENG 261 Studies in English Literature (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  ENG 265 Studies in Modern Literature (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  ENG 282 Studies in the Novel (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  ENG 321 Studies in Poetry (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  ENG 331 English Colloquium (3) (with appropriate theme)

HIS 245 Regional and National Studies (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  HIS 265 European Social and Intellectual History (3)
   or  HIS 301 Studies in American History (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  HIS 302 Studies in European History (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  HIS 305 African American History (3)
   or  HIS 310 U.S. Women's History (3)
   or  PLS 285 Comparative Politics (3)
   or  PLS 303 Studies in Political Science (3)

PSY 258 Social Psychology (3)
    or  PSY 325 Special Topics in Psychology (3) (with appropriate theme)
    or  SOC 225 Race and Ethnicity (3)
    or  SWK 185 Women and Society (3)
    or  SWK 303 Social Work Practice 3: Macro (3)
  
REL 220 World Religions (3)
   or  REL 352 Contemporary Studies in Theology and Ethics (3) (with appropriate theme)
   or  REL 359 Mennonite History and Thought (3)

SPA 244 Spanish Conversation:  Conflict and Social Change in the Spanish Speaking World (3)

 SOC 330 Social Justice and Social Change (3)
    or  SOC/SWK/PSY 360 Basics of Social Research (3)

One of the following: (2-4 hours)
In consultation with advisors, students will select one course that will broaden or deepen an understanding of peace and conflict studies as it applies to the student's particular interests.
PCS 380 Project (3-4)****
PCS 405 Peacemaking Seminar (2)

Students considering a PCS minor should take CRJ 180 or SOC 225 for their Social Science Group B general education requirement.

This minor fits especially well with those who have participated in a semester-long cross-cultural term in Northern Ireland, though such participation is not required for the minor. In conjunction with the Northern Ireland or Washington Community Scholars' Center programs, students may obtain the PCS minor by completing the above three core courses.

 

Courses

PCS 230 Theories of Peace and Conflict (3)
Beginning with a nontechnical understanding and then drawing from writings and research in the social sciences, philosophy and biblical studies, this course will focus on a descriptive knowledge of the concepts of conflict and peace. Some attention will be given to the role of communicative interaction in particular social and organizational contexts. Offered alternate years.

PCS 380 Project (3-4)
An upper-level project involving the application of peace and conflict studies to the student's major. The project may be an internship, a practicum or an independent study. If the student's major includes a field work or internship component or a seminar, this project could be a part of such an experience, on approval of the PCS advisor and the faculty member supervising the major course. Offered on demand.

PCS 405 Peacemaking Seminar (2)
This course will synthesize and integrate the student's work in peace and conflict studies through a variety of speakers, discussions and activities including a journal and a research project. Offered on demand.

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