Welcome

Peace Studies Minor

As the world grows smaller with globalization, faster modes of travel and expanding international relations, the need for students in the field of peace studies is more demanding. The peace studies program at ULV combines a strong background in peacemaking and conflict resolution with interdisciplinary courses of the student's major. Through this approach students will not only learn about pertinent issues within the field of peace studies, but most importantly how to relate those lessons back to their traditional area of study. Students will examine the process of engagement between the individual and the human and natural environments in context that affirms mutual welfare and cooperative security by:

Evaluating a range of definitions of peace from the most exclusive to
the most inclusive.
Gaining knowledge of a variety of approaches to peace making.
Developing their own personal position on peace and peacemaking.
Becoming acquainted with opportunities for translating their positions into action.

Core Requirements:
Hum 110: Introduction to Peace Studies (3 units)
Hum 302: Conflict Resolution and Non-Violence (3 units)
Hum 310: Peace Studies
Colloquium (1 unit X 3) Must be taken concurrently with either a major field requirement, or a Peace Studies elective.
Hum 410: Peace Studies Seminar/Project (3 units) (pre-requisite Hum 310)

Possible Electives:
A minimum of 16 of the 24 required units must be upper division units.
Hum 100: Quest for Values
Hum 320: Mexico Study Trip: Historical, Cultural, and Political Awareness
Rel 360: Religion and Violence
Rel 345: Female Psyche and Spirit in the Christian Tradition
Rel 361: Religion and Ecology
Eng 490: Journey in Literature
Eng 336: Literature of Incarceration
Bio 374: Science and Society
Core 340: Toward a Sustainable Planet
BHV 320: Ethnic Relations
BHV 311: Sexuality and Gender Issues
BHV 481: Management of Anger and Conflict
PLSC 301: American Gov and Politics
Ant 330: Cultural Anthropology
PLSC 351: Internal Relations International Law and Politics

Students will have 3-4 courses from which to choose their electives. Since the field of Peace Studies is so broad, covering various issues, the Peace Studies advisors encourage students to focus their course work. The following themes are given as a guideline. For example:

International Issues in Peace and World Order - examines various ways governments and non-governmental organizations deal with war, peace, security, justice and human rights at the regional and global levels;
Bio 374: Science and Society
PLSC 301: Am Gov & Politic

Conflict Resolution and Dispute Settlement - Examines personal, inter-group and international perspectives of peacemaking and conflict resolution using practices such as arbitration, mediation and negotiation;
BHV 481: Management of Anger and Conflict
Hum 109: Mediation Workshop
Hum 302: Conflict Resolution and Nonviolence

Environmental Issues - Examines the concepts of sustainability and development with regards to the ecological problems from local, regional and global perspectives.
Core 340: Toward a Sustainable Planet
Bio 374: Science and Society

Cultural, Philosophical and Religious Dimensions of Peace and Justice - Examines various cultural, religious and ethical concerns related to personal and communal beliefs and behaviors dealing with peace, war, justice and human rights;
Rel 360: Rel and Violence
Eng 490: Journey in Lit.
Ant 330: Cultural Anthropology

Social Change for Peace, Justice and Human Rights - Examines the way systems supporting injustice and inequity lead to violence, and how justice can be attained through social, economic and political practices.
BHV 311: Sexuality and Gender Issues
BHV 320: Ethnic Relations
Eng 336: Lit. of Incarceration
Hum 320: Mexico Study Trip

Opportunities With the Peace Studies Program

Conflict Mediation
Students have the opportunity to be trained in mediation in order to facilitate the resolution of peer conflicts on campus, as well as some outreach work.

Peace Conferences
Several times each year students are invited to travel to various conferences, which focus on issues of peace and justice. ULV is affiliated with several national peace organizations:

The Peace and Justice Studies Association
On Earth Peace
Plowshares
Brethren Colleges Abroad

Eli Lilly Grant Travel
Theological Exploration of Vocation encourages students to study the theological implications of their chosen vocation. This is a 10-week summer volunteer opportunity, which includes training and community building, as well as the opportunity to later to do service abroad.

Graduation Pledge Alliance
Students are encouraged to take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job they consider after graduation.

"Arise all women who have hearts...say firmly: we women of one country will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to injure theirs. In the name of humanity, I earnestly ask that a general Congress of Women, without limit of nationality, promote...the general interests of peace."
Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910), crusade to establish Mother's Day, 1870