PACS Curriculum
The Student Learning Objectives of the Peace and Conflict Studies program are:
- To acquire a complex understanding of the nature and origins of violence, its dynamics and different manifestations and modes of expression.
- To better understand why conflict occurs, when and how conflicts become violent, and constructive methods of approaching and processing distinct types of conflicts that occur along a continuum from interpersonal to global settings.
- To critically evaluate and devise strategies for peace through reflection on ethical, religious, philosophical and cultural approaches to peace, the work of leading thinkers and activists in the field, and public policy.
- To develop knowledge, analytical skills and practical training through:
- Analysis of theories and theoretical models, case studies, language and value systems, and historical precedents and trends.
- Service learning, practical training in conflict mediation skills, selected internships and study abroad experiences.
NOTE: Degree requirements for incoming students may not reflect the actual degree requirements of current students.
The major in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) consists of 36 hours of courses, including 6 hours of internship or service-learning.
A PACS major must complete 21 hours of Peace and Conflict courses. The following courses are required:
- One Introduction to the Field course (3 hours)
- One Peace-building/Conflict Resolutions Skills course (3 hours)
- One Methods course (3 hours)
- One Peace(building, Conflict (Resolution), Violence course (3 hours)
- One thesis or capstone course (3 hours)
- One internship (6 hours)
- Elective courses for a total of 15 hours (3 hours can be at 200 level)
| Introduction to the Field Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PO 102 | Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies | 3 |
| SW 240-PO | Gender and Generations: War and Peace | 3 |
| HST 205 | Questions in History: Black Women & the Carceral State Since 1865 | 3 |
| TI 240-PL | Ethics of War and Peace | 3 |
| SW 245-PO | Politics from the Margins | 3 |
| Peace-building/Conflict Resolution Skills Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PO 220 | Community Mediation | 3 |
| PO 230 | Activism | 3 |
| ORG 253 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Methods Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AN 350 | Anthropological Methods | 3 |
| HST 301 | Historiography (Bodies of Evidence) | 3 |
| HST 301 | Historiography (Theory & Methods) | 3 |
| PO 201 | Research and Analysis | 3 |
| RGSS-304 | Feminist and Queer Theory | 3 |
| SO 393 | Research Methods Seminar | 3 |
| Peace(building), Conflict (Resolution), Violence Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PO 322 | International Conflict and Peace Building | 3 |
| AN 345 | Conflict Resolution Thru Arts | 3 |
| EI 325 | Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ENV 310 | Global Environmental Conflicts | 3 |
| HST 354 | American In/Justice: The Prison as a Social History of the US | 3 |
| IS 390 | United Nations and Other International Organizations | 3 |
| ORG 358 | Communication & Social Responsibility | 3 |
| ORG 481 | Topics: Conflict Communication | 3 |
| PO 330 | Humanitarianism: The Politics of Policy and Practice | 3 |
| PO 340 | Earth Charter | 3 |
| PO 380 | Restorative Justice | 3 |
| RL 363 | Religion, Politics, and Conflict in South Asia | 3 |
| SO 357 | Abolition | 3 |
| SO 360 | Selected Topics: Climate, Conflict, and Community | 3 |
| SP 390 | Community-Based Learning in Spanish | 3 |
| SP 320 | Service Learning in Spanish | 3 |
| Thesis or Capstone Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis (consult with PACS advisor)** | 3 | |
| PO 490 | Course topics vary | 3 |
| HST 401 | Senior Capstone Project | 3 |
| IS 410 | The Global Society | 3 |
Internship requirements are fulfilled at locations in Indianapolis such as Exodus Refugee Center, Peace Learning Center, the Julian Center, or through SP 320S, Service Learning in Spanish (up to 3 hours). Students may also fulfill this requirement through Washington, DC, Semester internships, or as a component of study abroad.
*Students may fulfill this requirement with a research methods or theory class in, for example, political science, sociology, anthropology, and rhetorical criticism.
**Students can opt to take the PO 490 Senior Seminar as their capstone course for PACS or another 400-level seminar class in anthropology or international studies that addresses issues of conflict, peace and justice.
Students in the major are required to complete 15 hours of Peace and Conflict Studies Electives, at least 12 of which must be taken at the 300 level or above; 3 hours may be taken at the 200 level.
Elective options are listed on the Electives page. The current list of courses with PACS attributes can be found via “Class Search” on My.Butler, and a complete program listing can be found in the current Academic Bulletin. Relevant study abroad courses may be counted towards the major with permission of the PACS director.
In addition, students will be required to satisfy the Butler University Core curriculum.
Additional hours of free electives, combined with the above, may be used to complete the 120 hours needed for graduation.
The minor in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) consists of 18 hours of courses. The following courses are required:
| Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PACS/PO 102 or SW 240-PO | Introduction to Peace Studies or Gender and Generations: War and Peace | 3 |
| PACS/PO 220 or PACS/PO 322 | Community Mediation or International Conflict and Peacebuilding | 3 |
| PACS/PO 490 | Senior Seminar: Special Topics in Peace Studies (such as Cultures of Peace in Latin America; Youth, Violence and Peace; War in Iraq; The Politics of Harry Potter and the Hunger Games) | 3 |
| Internship | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
Internship requirements are fulfilled at locations in Indianapolis such as Exodus Refugee Center, Peace Learning Center, the Julian Center, or through SP 320S, Service Learning in Spanish. Students may also fulfill this requirement through Washington, DC, Semester internships, or as a component of study abroad.
Elective options are listed on the Electives page. The current list of courses with PACS attributes can be found via “Class Search” on My.Butler, and a complete program listing can be found in the current Academic Bulletin.
For course descriptions and information, visit m.butler.edu.
Current students should consult their own academic advisement report in my.butler.edu to see their individual requirements and progress toward degree completion.