Undergraduate Minor:
Peace & Conflict Studies

Description: Offered by the Humanities & Western Civilization Program, Peace & Conflict Studies is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to the study of human conflict. It examines the origins and nature of conflict within and among societies and the various ways in which humans address conflict. Through academic coursework and the possibility of practical experience, Peace & Conflict Studies offers students a concentrated program of study of one of the most central and urgent human issues: the causes and consequences of human conflict and the achievements and possibilities of building peaceful and equitable forms of social existence. The undergraduate minor in Peace & Conflict Studies was inaugurated in the spring semester of 2003.

The Peace & Conflict Studies minor is designed for students interested in careers in humanitarian aid, international relations, diplomacy, law, and mediation.  It is also preparation for graduate study.

Requirements (18 hours):

• PCS 120  Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies (3 hours)
• PCS 650  Senior Seminar in Peace and Conflict Studies (3 hours)
• Two core course from the list below (6 hours)
• Two elective courses (6 hours)

Core and electives must be 300 level or higher.  Only 3 hours can be shared between the minor and any other minor or major.  Students may not count more than 9 hours of coursework from any single department other than HWC (PCS) towards completion of the minor.

Core Courses (choose two):

• PCS 550   Classics of Peace Literature
• REL 667    Religious Perspectives on War and Peace
• REL 669    Human Conflict and Peace
• SOC 534   Comparative Racial and Ethnic Relations
• HIST 329   History of War and Peace
• POLS 672  International Conflict

Elective Courses for Fall 2009 (choose two from list): Course List Spring 2010

To declare the minor:

"Declaration of Minor Field of Study" forms are available in the Humanities & Western Civilization office, 308 Bailey Hall.

For information and advising appointments contact Sandra Zimdars-Swartz, Peace and Conflict Studies Coordinator, 203 Bailey Hall, szimdars@ku.edu, (785) 864-3011