Courses

The Peace and Justice Studies program provides a program of study which integrates the many areas of intellectual inquiry relating to the historical and contemporary search for a peaceful and just society and world. In addition to the courses offered below, Peace and Justice Studies annually offers lectures, workshops, symposia and internships open to all students.

• Courses in the Peace and Justice Department
• Additional and related interdepartmental courses
• Peace and Justice course catalog
• Peace and Justice Major

PEAC 104 Introduction to the Study of Conflict, Justice, and Peace
Kazanjian (Peace and Justice Studies)
An interdisciplinary introduction to the study of conflict, justice, and peace. The course
engages students in developing an analytical and theoretical framework for examining the
dynamics of conflict, violence, and injustice and the strategies that have been employed
to attain peace and justice, including: balance of power, cooperation, diplomacy and
conflict resolution, law, human rights, social movements, social justice (economic,
environmental, and race/class/gender), interpersonal communication, and religiously-
inspired social transformation.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Social and Behavioral Analysis or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: Fall Unit: 1.0

PEAC 250 Research or Individual Study
Prerequisite: 104 and one 200-level course in the general field of Peace and Justice
Studies or permission of instructor.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring Unit: 1.0

PEAC 250H Research or Individual Study
Prerequisite: 104 and one 200-level course in the general field of Peace and Justice
Studies or permission of instructor.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring Unit: 0.5

PEAC 259/PHIL 259 Peace and Conflict Resolution
de Warren (Philosophy)
Topic for 2007-08: Politics by Other Means: Clausewitz, War, and Philosophy.
Clausewitz's On War (1832) is universally recognized as the most significant theoretical
exploration of war in modern times. Though his claim that "war is the pursuit of politics
by other means" has challenged our understanding of war and politics, philosophers have
regrettably neglected the serious study of Clausewitz's seminal work. In this course, we
first study the historical antecedents of On War: Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Grotius. We
will next launch into a detailed reading of On War. Particular attention will be given to
Clausewitz's different definitions of war, his analogies between war and commerce and
games, and the political rationality of war. Lastly, we will engage with different
interpretations of Clausewitz's thinking: Lenin, Mao, Michel Foucault, Carl Schmitt,
Raymond Aron, Hannah Arendt and Jonathan Schell. Students may register for either
PEAC 259 or PHIL 259 and credit will be granted accordingly.
Prerequisite: One course in either Peace and Justice Studies or Philosophy
Distribution: Religion, Ethics and Moral Philosophy or Historical Studies
Semester: Spring Unit: 1.0

PEAC 324 Grassroots Development, Conflict Resolution, and the Gandhian Legacy
in India
NOT OFFERED IN 2007-08. This three and a half week wintersession course in India
focuses on understanding the historical development of the Gandhian philosophy of
nonviolence and on how Gandhian strategies have been adapted by grassroots
community-based organizations to address the challenges facing India and the world
today. The course involves both experiential and classroom learning. During this course
we will meet with women’s organizations, peace organizations, environmental action
groups, and community health activists in rural and urban communities in the North of
India. In addition we will take part in a seminar series on intercultural and interreligious
conflict resolution at the Malviya Centre for Peace Research at Banaras Hindu
University. Not offered every year. Subject to Dean’s office approval.
Prerequisite: Two 200-level courses in related fields. Application required.
Distribution: Social and Behavioral Analysis or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: N/O Unit: 0.5

PEAC 350 Research or Individual Study
Prerequisite: Open by permission to juniors and seniors.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring Unit: 1.0

PEAC 350H Research or Individual Study
Prerequisite: Open by permission to juniors and seniors.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring Unit: 0.5

PEAC 360 Senior Thesis Research
Prerequisite: By permission of program directors. See Academic Distinctions.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring Unit: 1.0

PEAC 370 Senior Thesis
Prerequisite: 360 and permission of department.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring Unit: 1.0