Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS)

PCS 112 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies 3

Explore sources of conflict, war, social oppression, and violence and the challenges of promoting peace and justice. Examine the strategies for introducing equitable and nonviolent methods for conflict transformation.

MAC: MAC CritThink Soc and BehavSci

PCS 205 Violence in the Modern World 3

Designed to provide a cross-disciplinary examination of violence and peace. Students will be engaged in an exploration of world issues and their impact at the local level.

MAC: MAC Global and Intercultural

PCS 215 Conflict Transformation 3

Examine the theory, practice, and narrative of conflict transformation. Transformative models, locally and globally, are explored and, the process of ending destructive action and promoting constructive change are engaged.

MAC: MAC Written Communication

PCS 218 Managing Conflict in Professional Contexts 3

Through the study and application of multiple theories, principles, and skills, students will learn about methods and processes for managing conflict in professional contexts.

MAC: MAC Oral Communication

PCS 305 Foundations of Peace and Conflict Studies 3

This course surveys the basic practical and theoretical foundations of peace and conflict transformation. The basic theories of conflict transformation provide a framework for understanding the dynamics of practice.

PCS 308 Working through Interpersonal Conflicts 3

Explores the causes of interpersonal and inter-group tensions and the techniques (micro-level processes) to address them effectively whether in the workplace, community, or at home.

PCS 309 Conflict and Culture 3

Critical multiculturalism provides the framework for exploring multiple dimensions of diversity and its impact on creating and transforming conflicts. The impact of cultural interactions is a core focus.

PCS 311 Conflict Research 3

This course is an introduction to qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research from social, organizational and conflict perspectives. Emphasis is placed on research design, question formulation, sampling, recruiting, data analysis and practical research activity.

Prerequisites: PCS 305.

PCS 312 Conflict Systems and Analysis 3

This course examines the practical and theoretical approaches to evaluating and remediating organizational conflict. Organizational analysis techniques and internal dispute resolution systems are explored.

PCS 405 Localizing Peace 3

This course will investigate local peace-building and sustainable development within diverse political, cultural and economic contexts. It explores models for collective action toward non-violent conflict and positive peace.

PCS 406 Environmental Justice: Interdisciplinary Response for Sustainability 3

Interdisciplinary exploration of models that address social, economic, environmental justice concerns and their impact on community, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Notes: Same as SWK 405.

PCS 415 Global Peacebuilding 3

This course explores the complexity of engaging local and global peace and conflict practice (macro-level process) that enhances the building and nurturing of civic society in the 21st century.

PCS 416 Practicum I 4

Through a directed learning experience in a practicum setting, students engage with communities through entry level practices and engaged inquiry experiences reflecting on the field of Peace and Conflict Studies.

Prerequisites: PCST major. Junior or senior standing;

Corequisites: PCS 305, PCS 308, PCS 309.

PCS 417 Practicum II 3

Emphasis is placed upon extended application and evaluation in the practice or research environment. Continues critical review and analysis of setting for engagement.

Prerequisites: PCS 416. PCST major; senior standing;

Corequisites: PCS 415.

PCS 418 Peacebuilding Challenges in a Complex World 3

Introduction to the interdisciplinary theory, research, and intervention strategies used in peacebuilding operations.

PCS 420 Senior Seminar 3

Final capstone course in which students integrate theory, models of practice and research/evaluation through a community based project documented with an electronic portfolio for presentation.

Prerequisites: PCS 305, PCS 308, PCS 309. PCST major; senior standing.

PCS 430 The Power of Nonviolence for Social Change 3

Nonviolent protest has an important role to play in the 21st century for achieving justice, assuring human rights, and removing repressive regimes. The course considers the theory and practice of successful nonviolent movements such as the Liberian women's peace movement, the Velvet Revolution, and the outing of Serbian dictator Milosevic.

PCS 432 Conflict Transformation at the Food-Water Nexus 3

Contemporary issues in food and water systems are examined using the lens of conflict transformation. Through this lens, we will analyze associated social and environmental conflicts, with an emphasis on dynamics of power and justice. Students will learn about transformative interventions associated with the conflicts we cover in class.

PCS 433 Restorative Justice: Theory and Models 3

Examines the principles and practices of restorative justice, evaluating the potentials and limitations of restorative methods and interventions in the US and internationally.

Notes: Same as SWK 433.

PCS 434 Reconciliation, Spirituality, and Community in Peacebuilding 3

Explores reconciliation and spiritual beliefs in community settings to address local and global conflicts. Includes discussion of both indigenous beliefs and global social, political, and environmental consciousness in healing.

PCS 440 Social Entrepreneurship: Justice and a Green Environment 3

Interdisciplinary engagement of social entrepreneurship as model for change on an issue of environmental sustainability. Exploration of models that respond to social, economic, environmental, and justice issues.

Prerequisites: Upper-division undergraduate status.

Notes: Same as BUS 440, ENT 440, WGS 440.

PCS 450 Independent Study in Peace and Conflict Studies 1-3

Independent study opportunity for students to engage in an in-depth exploration of a topic of special interest within the context of Peace and Conflict Studies.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

Notes: May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.

PCS 456 Sports, Conflict, and Peacebuilding 3

The role that sports play in reflecting political, religious, ethnoracial, and social class conflicts is explored. The possibilities for using sports to teach skills for peaceful transformation are examined.

PCS 457 Ecocultures and Sustainable Communities 3

Explore ecocultures as sustainable models of peacebuilding and as alternatives to the dominant approach to global development. Through a study of the four dimensions of regenerative sustainability, students will examine how ecocultures, including traditional communities and contemporary ecovillages, are designed to nurture healthy, resilient, and sustainable communities and ecosystems.

PCS 460 Forced Migration Minor Seminar 3

In this capstone course for the PCS Forced Migration and Refugee Resettlement Studies minor students will immerse themselves in refugee/migrant/asylum seeker support history, networks, and service-providers as well as engage in the work of promoting access and integration for refugees through community engaged learning, service, and research.

Prerequisites: PCS 309.

PCS 467 Borders, Partitions, and Generative Othering Narratives 3

Explores the use of borders/partitions by providing historical perspective on the dynamics of redrawing territorial space. Memories of these "sovereign" territorial displacements are interrogated to understand conflict systems.

Corequisites: PCS 305, PCS 309.

PCS 479 Gender and Peacebuilding 3

Examines the role of gender, sex, diversity, and power relations in the creation and resolution of conflict and building of peace.

Notes: Same as SWK 479.

PCS 540 Social Entrepreneurship: Justice and a Green Environment 3

Interdisciplinary engagement of social entrepreneurship as model for change on an issue of environmental sustainability. Exploration of models that respond to social, economic, environmental, and justice issues.

PCS 579 Gender and Peacebuilding 3

Examines the role of gender, sex, diversity, and power relations in the creation and resolution of conflict and building of peace.

Notes: Same as SWK 579.

PCS 600 Transforming Conflict: Histories and Theories 3

Introduction to the interdisciplinary theory, research conflict analysis and intervention strategies which form the foundation of peace and conflict studies.

PCS 601 Indigenous Peace Practices 3

Explores multiple dimensions of diversity in creating and resolving conflicts. Students will explore their own culture beliefs and values as well as diverse conflict models and systems around the world.

PCS 605 Skills and Techniques of Conflict Management 3

Theory and practice to develop a foundation of interpersonal skills and techniques needed by conflict professionals such as communication, negotiation, mediation, assessment, and presentation. Service learning project required.

PCS 606 Organizational Conflict: Diagnostic and Intervention Tools 3

Theories, methods, and practices in assessing and transforming conflict in modern organizations.

Prerequisites: PCS 600 and PCS 601 or permission of instructor.

PCS 607 Conflict Analysis: Theories of Change 3

Students are introduced to key conflict analysis concepts and models. Different analytic frameworks are used to assess internaitonal conflicts. Students participate simulation exercise.

PCS 608 Topics in Peace and Conflict Studies 3

Concepts such as peace, conflict, violence, war, international order, state actors, non-state actors, power, international law, international organization, terrorism, conflict management, political economy and peacebuilding, among others are examined based on particular contemporary conflict cases.

Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic varies.

PCS 609 Community Engaged Research 3

After exploration of qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and action research philosophy and methods. Teams of students design an action research proposal.

Prerequisites: PCS 607 or permission of instructor.

PCS 610 Transitional Justice 3

Explore nonviolent responses to conflict and violence that are oriented to the restoration of relationships damaged by crime, war, community, and workplace violence.

PCS 611 Governance in Conflict Environments 3

Introduction to key principles, functions, and institutions to develop enhanced governance in conflict environments worldwide. Exploration of concepts, contextual frameworks, and programs to provide assistance in conflict environments.

PCS 612 Civil Military Integration in Conflict Management 3

Exploration of the mission, roles, and responsibilities of civil-military interaction teams in their collaboration to assess, design, and implement interventions to stabilize conflict environments after violent encounters.

PCS 613 Developing Civil-Military Partnerships in Conflict Environments 3

Through contemporary case studies, this course examines how senior civilian and military leaders and their supporting organizations analyze conditions and identify challenges in civil military engagement in conflict environments.

PCS 615 War and Peace in the Modern World 3

War and morality are concerns within the theoretical framework of peace and conflict studies, providing the base for practice as viewed within an historical and cultural context.

PCS 621 Critical Foundations of Peace and Conflict Studies 3

A critical introduction to the histories, theories, research, analytic frameworks, and intervention strategies, which form the foundation of peace and conflict studies.

PCS 622 Skills in Transformative Conflict 3

Address intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group conflict. Learn to build positive peace through nonviolent communication, principled negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and group facilitation. Develop skills of collaborative decision-making and nonviolent conflict transformation.

PCS 623 Community and Action Research 3

Explore qualitative research methods, community-engaged research, and action research. Learn to collect, analyze, and interpret qualitative data. Develop fieldwork skills, design a research proposal, and conduct research using qualitative methods.

PCS 624 Peace and Justice in a Changing Climate 3

Explores justice as transformative, transnational, environmental, transitional, and restorative in nature; engages with issues of post-colonial/post-conflict development, reconciliation, and civil society-based peacebuilding as sustainable human endeavors.

PCS 625 Conflict Resolution in Education: K-12 3

Explores conflict resolution theory, practice, and programming in educational settings and community organizations. Peer, professional, and systemic conflicts will be examined.

Prerequisites: PCS 600 or permission of instructor.

PCS 627 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies 3

An investigation of current Global North and Pan-Western peace and conflict models and their impact on human security and humanitarian assistance.

PCS 630 The Power of Nonviolence for Social Change 3

Introduces students to the theory and practice of nonviolence as a manner of social change and as a philosophy. Explores classic thinking on nonviolence by Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as current research on nonviolent social change.

PCS 631 Crisis Management: Response and Resolution 3

Overview of critical incident response, management and resolution in relation to individual, family, community, and organizational perspectives.

PCS 632 Conflict Transformation at the Food-Water Nexus 3

Contemporary issues at the nexus of food and water systems are examined using the lens of conflict transformation. Through this lens, we will analyze associated social and environmental conflicts, with an emphasis on dynamics of power and justice. Students will learn about transformative interventions associated with the conflicts we cover in class.

PCS 633 Restrtve Justice:Thry/Practice 3

Examines the principles and practices of restorative justice, evaluating the potentials and limitations of restorative methods and interventions in the US and internationally.

PCS 634 Reconciliation, Spirituality, and Community in Peacemaking 3

Explores reconciliation and spiritual beliefs in community settings to address local and global conflicts. Includes discussion of both indigenous beliefs and global social, political, and environmental consciousness in healing.

PCS 636 Environmental Justice: Interdisciplinary Response for Sustainability 3

Interdisciplinary exploration of models that address social, economic, environmental justice concerns and their impact on community, economic, and environmental sustainability.

PCS 647 Facilitation, Mediation, and Negotiation 3

Engage with negotiation and mediation practices for transforming conflict. Build from negotiation and mediation theory to strategies and tactics. Learn and apply skills.

Prerequisites: None for certificate or master's students. permission of instructor for non-majors;

Corequisites: None for certificate or master's students. permission of instructor for non-majors.

PCS 650 Independent Study 3

Intensive study guided by the graduate faculty.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor or the Program Director.

PCS 656 Sports, Conflict, and Peacebuilding 3

The role that sports play in reflecting political, religious, ethnoracial, and social class conflicts is explored. The possibilities for using sports to teach skills for peaceful transformation are examined.

PCS 657 Ecocultures and Sustainable Communities 3

Explores ecocultures as sustainable models of peacebuilding and as alternatives to the dominant approach to global development. Through a study of the four dimensions of regenerative sustainability, students will examine how ecocultures, including traditional communities and contemporary ecovillages, are designed to nurture healthy, resilient, and sustainable communities and ecosystems.

PCS 665 Religion: Conflict and Confrontation 3

Overview of conflict analysis and intervention strategies in religious communities and organizations. Analyze and implement models of reconciliation and forgiveness.

PCS 667 Borders, Partitions, and Generative Othering Narratives 3

Explores the use of borders/partitions by providing historical perspective on the dynamics of redrawing territorial space. Memories of these "sovereign" territorial displacements are interrogated to understand conflict systems.

Corequisites: PCS 600, PCS 601.

PCS 676 Peace Development and Community Building 3

Approaches to community and peacebuilding, with emphasis on understanding power and conflict, are taught within a global context. Strategies are developed for building peace and community through civic engagement.

Prerequisites: PCS 600 and PCS 601 or permission of instructor.

PCS 677 International Human Rights Advocacy 3

Course will explore international human rights norms, laws, theory and practice, with an emphasis on analytical and advocacy skills. Current debates in the field will be explored with implications for policy.

PCS 679 Gender and Peacebuilding 3

Examines the role of gender, sex, diversity, and power relations in the creation and resolution of conflict and building of peace.

PCS 685 Resolving Conflict in Health Care Systems: Achieving Peace through Health 3

Peace building and conflict resolution in health care and humanitarian initiatives; human rights and social justice perspective.

PCS 690 Integrated Practicum: Professional Development Project 3

Final capstone course in which students integrate theory, research, and practice skills through an integrative project. Research or field hours required.

Prerequisites: PCS 600, PCS 601, PCS 605, PCS 607 for Transformative Peace and Conflict Concentration or PCS 621, PCS 622, PCS 623, PCS 624 for Sustainable Peace and Justice Concentration.

PCS 699 Thesis 3-6

Thesis writing.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

Notes: Required of all candidates in the Thesis Option in the Sustainable Peace and Justice Concentration of the M.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies. Credit may be taken over one to two semesters.

PCS 803 Research Extension 1-3