Peace and Conflict Studies

Academic Program

The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) integrative concentration is an interdisciplinary concentration that:

• studies the factors that lead to human conflict and aggression, including those that are psychological, sociological, anthropological, environmental, political, economic, religious, and historical in nature;

• examines levels of conflict ranging from micro- or interpersonal-level to macro- or international-level;

• explores the potential links between issues of social and environmental justice and violent conflict, including the relationship between different forms of violence, such as structural versus episodic violence, and perceptions of injustice; and

• can augment the intellectual study of peace and conflict with experiences outside of the classroom in the form of fieldwork and internships.

Any student, regardless of major or minor, can pursue a PACS integrative concentration. This concentration does not substitute for a major or minor.

Experiential Learning

In order to provide students with practical experience in the area of peace and conflict studies, concentrators are required to pursue an internship, work experience, or Winter Term project (sponsored by one of the concentration co-chairs) that focuses on skills directly related to the integrative concentration. Students are encouraged to explore internship and other opportunities through a relevant career community.