PS 397 - Peace & Conflict Studies

Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 4
Maximum Credit(s) Awarded: 4

This course is an introduction to the study of inter-state conflict and peace studies. The underlying assumptions throughout this course is that war should be avoided and our principle focus will be to 1) identify the causes of war and 2) identify justifications and strategies for peace. As we shall see, these are interrelated, complex, and controversial topics. Both peace and conflict studies require a multi-disciplinary approach that includes psychology, philosophy and ethics, religion, economics, biology, history, and international relations. This necessarily broad approach allows us to closely examine and critique the underlying assumptions behind conflict and cooperation and trace the casual paths leading to war or to peace. We will place a special emphasis on examining and critiquing perspectives on conflict and peace at the individual, group, substate, and international levels of analysis. We will also consider the qualitative and quantitative empirical evidence in support of these theories. By the end of the course, students will appreciate the challenges of ending global conflict but also possess the knowledge to suggest realistic, peaceful solutions. This course fulfills the J (Analysis of Human Behavior and Social Structure) and U (Enriched Critical Thinking Experience) General Education tags.