2021-2022

Peace and Justice Studies (Minor)

History and Political Science Department

David Hoovler, Ph.D., Coordinator
Anne Henderson, Ph.D., Department Chair

Degrees offered

Minor

Campuses

Main Campus

The Peace and Justice Studies Minor is offered to students in the Women's College. It is an interdisciplinary program that studies non-violent paths to justice, equity, fairness and respect.

In addition to fostering an understanding of the roots of violence and inequity, Peace and Justice Studies also teaches antidotes to violence and inequity. It leads to recognition of the roles of greed, hatred, fear, separation and objectification in promoting violence and inequitable relations. It directs the student to increased awareness of opportunities to act as a more responsible global citizen.

A Minor in Peace and Justice Studies can benefit students in a variety of careers including political science, public policy, the law, religion, counseling, conflict resolution, environmental issues, sociology, journalism, communication, history and ethics.

Requirements

The Peace and Justice Studies Minor consists of six courses (18 credits), including a 3-credit required Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies as well as a required 3-credit Senior Seminar. The remaining course requirements are one course devoted to roots of and antidotes to violence (violence and conflict resolution), one course focused on the roots of and antidotes to inequity (inequity and social justice), one course focused on earth sustainability, and an experiential learning course.

A student wishing to declare a Peace and Justice Studies Minor is encouraged to meet with the Program Coordinator or Department Chair to design an appropriate course of study and to receive more detailed information on courses and course cycling.

Program of Study

       Required Courses

       IDS-160/HIS-160 Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies
       IDS-450 Seminar Experience: Peace and Justice Studies
       Experiential Learning Course — (consult with Program Coordinator)

       One course on violence and conflict resolution:

       HIS-200 Age of Genocide
       HIS-340 History of the Holocaust
       HIS/POL-325 Revolution and Terrorism
       HIS-402 Women, War and Peace
       HIS-404 United States Foreign Relations in the 20th Century
       IDS-471 Honors: Politics and Ethics of War and Peace
       POL-430 International Organizations and World Politics
       RST-304 Christian Social Ethics
       RST-345 Justice and Peace

       One course on inequity and social justice:

       HIS/POL-290 Women in Islamic Societies
       PHL-322 Social and Political Philosophy
       PHL-323 Feminist Philosophy
       PHL-324 Critical Theories of Race
       POL-351 Problems of Developing Nations
       POL-401 Political and Economic Globalization
       RST-411H Catholic Women Theologians

       One course on Earth and sustainability:

       BUS-436 Socially Responsible and Sustainable Business Practices
       ENV-120 Earth’s Biosphere
       ENV-121 Earth’s Physical Spheres
       ENV/PHL-336 Environmental Ethics
       POL-440 Global Issues


Courses

BUS-436 Socially Responsible and Sustainable Practices

Studies and analyzes the increasing pressures on organizations to make the right decisions by acting in ways that benefit society and reduce negative environmental impacts. Students will complete research on organizations that use sustainable and responsible models; utilize case studies to identify current and best practices; and develop guiding principles for decision making. [3 credits]

ENV-120 Earth's Biosphere

Studies the interactions between organisms-the biosphere-and their environments. The course investigates the nature of ecosystems, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, and characteristics of populations and communities of organisms, and it considers imbalances in various areas of human concern. Fulfills general education requirement in natural sciences. [4 credits]

ENV-121 Earth's Physical Spheres

Studies the spheres that comprise Earth: the lithosphere, which contains both the crust and underlying material; the hydrosphere, which contains all of the planet's solid, liquid, and gaseous water; and the atmosphere, which contains all of the planet's air. Students also study events that cause changes to occur in one or more of the spheres, and the results of interactions within and among the Earth's physical spheres. Fulfills general education requirement in natural sciences. [4 credits]

ENV-336 Environmental Ethics

Addresses a variety of challenging issues in environmental ethics. Topics considered may include the status of non-human animals, farming and the environment, global climate change, inter-generational justice, issues of land use, the preservation of forests and wilderness, and the use and development of energy resources. Through an examination of some of these issues, the course also introduces students to a variety of moral theories, from both philosophical and religious perspectives.The social, gender and environmental justice implications of ecological issues are a major concern of the course. Fulfills general education requirement in upper-level Philosophy and Values. Cross-listed with PHL-336. [3 credits]

HIS-160 Introduction to Peace Studies

This is an introduction to peace and justice studies. The course focuses on negative peace (i.e., eliminating direct violence, including war) as well as positive peace building (fostering an equitable economic system and ecological balance). The course analyzes the roots of violence and inequity as well antidotes to these problems. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies and history. [3 credits]

HIS-200 Hrs: To Break the Killing Machine: Understanding, Preventing, and Overcoming Genocide

Examines the nature, causes and consequences of genocide in order to understand the possibilities and challenges of preventing genocidal violence in the future. The course introduced students to the controversies surrounding the definition and analysis of genocide. It begins with the contested question of what constitutes genocide, and how genocide stands apart from other forms of mass violence such as ethnic cleansing and massacres. The course then considers several approaches to theorizing the causes of genocide. In addition, we analyze the challenges of identifying potentially genocidal situations before the killing begins and of intervening to prevent and stop genocides. The course also studies processes of reconciliation in societies that have experienced, or teetered on, the brink of genocide. Using scholarly texts, works of fiction and films, we explore issues of causation, intervention and healing in cases including the colonial genocides of indigenous populations, the Holocaust, Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Iraqi Kurds and Darfur. Ultimately, the course asks students to decide whether genocide is an inevitable scourge of the human condition or a tragic aberration that humanly has the power to transcord. [3 credits] Fulfills General Education Requirement: History

HIS-290 Women in Islamic Societies

Examines the historical development and current realities of women's political, cultural, and economic roles in Islamic societies. The course explores the diversity of women's roles in Muslim countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, africa, and Asia. It examines how women have influenced, and been affected by, international trends such as the spread of democracy, the rise of religious fundamentalism, and the process of globalization. Students learn how Muslim women have defined themselves, and been defined, in the realms of political/social activism, work, the arts and culture, and the family. In addition, students critically analyze Western perceptions and stereotypes of Muslim women and their lives. Fulfills general education requirement in history, cross-cultural and gender studies. [ 3 credits ]

HIS-325 Revolution and Terrorism

Traces the causes, patterns and outcomes of 20th century Revolutions, and analyzes the similarities and differences between revolutionary movements and guerrilla and terrorist groups. The course looks at the ideological, ethnic and religious terrorist groups with a special emphasis on religious terrorism and its worldwide impact. Fulfills general education requirements in history and cross-cultural studies. [ 3 credits ]

HIS-340 History of the Holocaust

Uses original and secondary sources, including memoirs, survivor and perpetrator testimonies, films, and scholarly texts, to examine the history of the Holocaust.  Examines the nature, causes, and consequences of the Holocaust, and introduces students to the controversies surrounding its analysis, meaning, and legacies.  Fulfills the General Education Requirement for History.  [ 3 credits ]

HIS-402 Women, War and Peace

Examines the wartime experiences of women. Addresses question of how perceptions of women and "female nature" inform attitudes about women's wartime roles. Uses historical monographs, literature, art and film to examine and evaluate the relationship between war and gender. Also assesses women's role in the international peace movement. Fulfills general education requirements in history and gender studies. [ 3 credits ].

HIS-404 United States Foreign Relations in the 20th Century

Examines United States foreign relations from 1900 to the post-Cold War Era. Focuses on the Cold War, its aftermath and the fallout from September 11. Fulfills general education requirement in history. [ 3 credits ]

IDS-160 Introduction to Peace Studies

This is an introduction to peace and justice studies. The course focuses on negative peace (i.e., eliminating direct violence, including war) as well as positive peace building (fostering an equitable economic system and ecological balance). The course analyzes the roots of violence and inequity as well antidotes to these problems. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies and history. [3 credits]

IDS-450 Seminar Experience: Peace and Justice

Provides students with a focused seminar experience that allows them to consider the coursework for the minor through the acquired lens of peace and justice studies. Prerequisite: IDS-160. [3 credits]

IDS-471 Honors: Politics and Ethics of War and Peace

Explores war and peace through an examination of historical conflicts, social science explanations, ethical positions and alternative peace proposals. Considers 20th century conflicts and alternative explanations of war, and the individual, state and international levels. Compares and contrasts ethical positions from several religious and philosophical traditions. Prerequisite: Morrissy scholar or permission and RST-201. Fulfills general education requirements in 300/400 religious studies, values, and history. [3 credits]

PHL-322 Social and Political Philosophy

Examines the origins and justifications of various social and political systems from ancient through contemporary times. Topics addressed may include: The moral justification of particular forms of government, the definition of community and the relationship of the individual to the community, and the importance of race and gender in society. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course and values. [3 credits]

PHL-323 Feminist Philosophy

Investigates the meaning and significance of lived, bodily experience in the formation of human consciousness. Evaluates the history of Western Philosophy from the perspective of those who were once seen as marginal to it, and in doing so elucidates the many debates within Feminist Philosophy about the nature and limits of the philosophical enterprise. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course and gender. [ 3 credits ]

PHL-324 Critical Philosophy of Race

Examines the concept of race and the phenomenon of racism. Differentiates between individual racism and institutional racism, with a strong focus on the latter. Topics addressed may include: The concept of race as both constructed and real, the politics of racialized identity, epistemologies of ignorance, the persistence of racial inequality, reparations, and the intersection of race with gender, class and sexuality. The corseis heavily interdisciplinary, drawing from history, sociology, gender studies, comparative literature, African-American studies, and Hispanic/Latino studies. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level course. [ 3 credits ]

PHL-336 Environmental Ethics

Addresses a variety of challenging issues in environmental ethics. Topics considered may include, among others: the status of non-human animals, farming and the environment, global climate change, inter-generational justice, issues of land use, the preservation of forests and wilderness, and the use and development of energy resources. Through an examination of some of these issues, the course also introduces students to a variety of moral theories, from both philosophical and religious perspectives. The social, gender, and environmental justice implications of ecological issues are a major concern of the course. Prerequisite: 200-level philosophy course. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level PHL and values. Crosslisted with ENV 336. [ 3 credits ]

POL-290 Women in Islamic Societies

Examines the historical development and current realities of women's political, cultural, and economic roles in Islamic societies. The course explores the diversity of women's roles in Muslim countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, africa, and Asia. It examines how women have influenced, and been affected by, international trends such as the spread of democracy, the rise of religious fundamentalism, and the process of globalization. Students learn how Muslim women have defined themselves, and been defined, in the realms of political/social activism, work, the arts and culture, and the family. In addition, students critically analyze Western perceptions and stereotypes of Muslim women and their lives. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural and gender studies. [ 3 credits ]

POL-325 Revolution and Terrorism

Traces the causes, patterns and outcomes of the French, Russian, Cuban and Iranian Revolutions, and analyzes the similarities and differences between revolutionary movements and guerrilla and terrorist groups. The course looks at the ideological, ethnic and religious terrorist groups with a special emphasis on religious terrorism and its worldwide impact. Fulfills general education requirements in history and cross-cultural studies. [3 credits]

POL-351 Problems of Developing Nations

Introduces students to economic, political and cultural issues of development and underdevelopment in Asia, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies. [3 credits]

POL-401 Political and Economic Globalization

Introduces students to the political implications of trade, aid, investment, technology and energy relations along with their impact on relations between rich as well as poor countries. Fulfills general education requirement for cross cultural studies. Prerequisite: POL-103 or permission. [3 credits]

POL-430 International Organizations and World Politics

Introduces students to past, present and future international organizations. Emphasizes evaluation of the operations of the United Nations as an arena for conflict resolution and attention to social welfare concerns in the international system. Fulfills general education requirement for cross cultural studies. Prerequisite: POL-103. [3 credits]

POL-440 Global Issues

Examines five to six major topics that interconnect or divide the contemporary world. Democracy, the global economy, religion and ethnicity, global migration, population trends, women, the environment, and technology and communication are some of the issues we visit. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies. Prerequisite: POL-103. [3 credits]

RST-304 Christian Social Ethics

Provides students with an opportunity to understand and evaluate various Christian positions on a range of contemporary moral issues related to life in society. Examines selected
topics in economic ethics, social ethics and political ethics. Prerequisites: RST-105 or RST-201. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level religious studies and values.
[3 credits]

RST-345 Justice and Peace

Analyzes contemporary issues of justice and peace, including classism, racism, sexism and violence. Topics such as world hunger, terrorism and heterosexism will be considered from personal, communal and global perspectives within the context of theological and moral teachings of various religious traditions. Prerequisites: RST-105 or RST-201. Fulfills general education requirements for 300/400-level religious studies, values and cross-cultural studies. [3 credits]