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Peace and Conflict Studies Major

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Major Requirements

The major consists of 10Ìýcourses, taken inÌýfour clusters:

Cluster 1 (Core Approaches) – These ³Ù·É´ÇÌý³¦´Ç³Ü°ù²õ±ð²õÌýserveÌýas a foundation for the program, introducing students to critical perspectives on the study of peace and conflict.

Cluster 2 (Elective Offerings)Ìý– These four elective courses allow students to develop substantive knowledge of key thematic and topical issues and methodologies within the broaderÌýinterdisciplinary field of peace and conflict studies.ÌýTwo of these courses must be at the 300 level or higher.

Cluster 3 (Geographic Area of Specialization) – PCON majors take three courses related to a specific geographic region to broaden their knowledge and to ensure in-depth understanding of particular regional conflicts.

Cluster 4 (Thesis)Ìý– PCON majors in the fall of their fourth yearÌýwill take one course (PCON 479) to developÌýa thesis project that integratesÌýand synthesizes the knowledge gained in Clusters 1–3.

Major credit will be awarded for no more than two courses taken at another institution.

Up to two courses from a PCON major can be counted towards any other major or minor.ÌýTheseÌýcourses should be approved by the student's PCON faculty advisor in order to make sure all applicableÌýrequirements are being met for successful completion and graduation. PCON majors are strongly encouraged to consult with their PCON faculty advisor at least once each semester.

Cluster 1 – Core Approaches (2 Courses)

Students are strongly encouraged to take both core approaches courses during their first and second years, and should have completed Cluster 1 courses before taking the PCON 479 Research Seminar in the fall of their fourth year.ÌýThese coursesÌýmay be taken concurrently or in any order.

Required Courses

Cluster 2 – Elective Offerings (4 Courses)

To deepen and developÌýtheir knowledge of issues, methodologies,Ìýand current debates in peace and conflict studies, students take four elective courses (see list below).

These courses help students develop substantive knowledge of key issues/topics in theÌýfield. Courses in Cluster 2ÌýexposeÌýstudents to a range of methodologies for studying peace and conflict, engage new and established frameworks for study and understanding, and incorporate critical approaches to theorizing the field. Courses in Cluster 2Ìýdeal with war, armed conflict, and genocide, transnational and human security issues, the lived experience of collective violence, and human rights and structural violence in broadly interdisciplinary ways. A student pursuing a double major with another department or program may use one Cluster 2 elective to count for both majors. At least two of these courses must be takenÌýat or above the 300 level.

Cluster 3 – Geographic Areas of Specialization (3 Courses)

Knowledge of specific regional conflicts, and efforts to resolve them, is essential to the study of peace and conflict. To develop this knowledge base, students are required to take three approved courses on the politics, culture, history, geography, or economics of a geographic region chosen from the following:

  1. Central America, the Caribbean, and South America
  2. North America
  3. West, East, Central, and Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa
  4. Europe
  5. The Middle East and North Africa
  6. Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia
  7. Asia and the Pacific Rim
  8. Transregional Communities

Students may take Cluster 3 electives concurrently with courses in Clusters 1 and 2. Other courses, including Liberal Arts Core Curriculum courses, off-campus studies courses, and 300- or 400-level language courses, may count toward the geographic areas requirement, if approved by the program director. Many courses can count for Cluster 3 for each of the regions listed. Students should consult their PCON adviser about specific courses across the curriculum and off campus which may satisfy this requirement. Approved study abroad programs will normally provide two course credits towards this part of the major. Whenever possible, students should declare,Ìýin consultation with their PCON advisor,Ìýtheir area of geographic specialization and seek approvalÌýany already-taken Cluster 3 courses soon after becoming a major. The "Transregional Communities" designation (see above) applies to a thematic course of study on issues such as displacement, forced migration, or refugee and diaspora communities.

Cluster 4 – Thesis (1 Course)

To complete the thesis requirement, students must enroll in Ìýin the fall semester of the fourth year. In order to advance to the thesis, students should have completed bothÌýof the Cluster 1 requirements andÌýtaken as many classes as possible in Clusters 2 and 3. Theses developed during the research seminar may be on any topic, but students are expected toÌýintegrate expertise in their Cluster 3 geographic areaÌýof specialization in their final submissions.

Declarations

Students can declare a PCON major at any time. Prospective majors are strongly encouraged to take and successfully complete at least one required Cluster 1 course before making the decision.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on theÌýÌýprogramÌýpage.

GPA Requirement

To qualify for graduation, a minimum grade of C is required for all courses taken toward the major.

Peace and Conflict Studies Program

For more information about the department, including faculty,Ìýtransfer credit, awards, etc.,Ìýplease visit theÌýÌýcatalogÌýpage.