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Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS)

Department Website:

http://departments.juniata.edu/pacs/

Faculty:

  • Professor Celia Cook-Huffman - ext. 3465
  • Professor Richard Mahoney (Director) - ext. 3464

Background Information:

The Peace and Conflict Studies Program is directed and supported by The Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. The Program is an interdisciplinary inquiry into war and deeply rooted conflict as human problems, and, peace as a human potential. It systematically explores how and why humans resort to violence to resolve conflicts, and examines alternative social systems that may lead to cooperation and peace.

Special programs, facilities, or equipment:

  • The Oller Center for Peace and International Programs provides seminar and meeting rooms for PACS students and houses special library and multimedia collections related to war, peace and conflict resolution.
  • Support is available for students to attend special conferences and training workshops related to peace studies and nonviolence.
  • The program supports a rich array of visiting speakers and practitioners. Past speakers have included ambassadors, heads of state, Nobel Peace Prize winners, admirals, generals, activists, victims of war and revolutionaries. PACS students have an opportunity to relate one on one to visitors.
  • Select PACS students have an opportunity to serve with faculty, staff and trustees on the Baker Institute Advisory Board, where they have an equal voice in planning and directing the program.
  • Students have an opportunity to work directly as mediators and/or trainers in community conflict situations.

Programs of Emphasis:

  • Peace and Conflict Studies
  • Conflict Resolution and Communications

Examples of Student Designed Programs of Emphasis:

  • World Politics and Conflict Studies
  • Peace and Environmental Studies
  • Social Conflict Studies
  • Political Peace Making
  • International Conflict Resolution

Secondary Emphasis:

  • Requirements: PACS 105, PACS 110, plus at least 12 credits selected from PACS courses.
  • Women and Gender Studies Secondary Emphasis

Internship/Research Experiences:

  • Special internships are available for PACS students in New York and Washington. Some organizations with which PACS students have interned include: The United Nations NGO Committee on Disarmament; The Committee on East West Accord; Bread for the World; The Washington Center for Research on Women and The American Friends Service Committee.
  • The Baker Institute also sponsors an internship, for select students, with the European Union Parliament in Brussels.
  • Funds are available to support student-initiated research, especially in reference to the Senior Thesis. Previously, students have done research in New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands, India, Ireland and several countries in Central and South America.

Courses:

PACS-105   Introduction to Conflict Resolution (Fall; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; S) A survey of the field of conflict, this course explores the causes and consequences of social conflict. Theory and case studies are used to understand interpersonal disputes, the intricacies of groups in conflict as international issues and crisis. Emphasis is given to understanding the basic theoretical concepts of the field and developing basic conflict resolving skills.

PACS-108   Mediation (Spring; Yearly; 1.00-3.00 Credits; S) Students learn a basic model of mediation and the theoretical framework which guides its use. Role plays and simulations will be used to prepare students to serve as mediators in a variety of contexts. Particular attention will be given to the use of mediation in educational contexts.

PACS-110   Introduction to Peace & conflict Studies (Spring; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; I,CW) A survey of the literature, issues and people that make up the field of Peace and Conflict Studies. The course looks at the language and the methodologies that have developed around the academic inquiry into war and deep-rooted conflict as human problems and peace as a human potential.

PACS-180   Living Communities (Fall; Yearly; 2.00-3.00 Credits; S) This course provides practical and theoretical approaches to community living, group communication, and conflict skills. Through lecture, reading, reflection, action, and writing, students living in an intentional community will learn skills that will transfer to other contexts and aid in their approaches. This course takes place at the Raystown Field Station. Prerequisite: ESS100.

PACS-199   Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-2.00 Credits; H,I) Allows the department to offer topics not normally taught. Prerequisites vary by title.

PACS-202   Behavioral Anal.of Org. (Either Semester; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; S) See EB202

PACS-203   Political Psychology (Fall; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; IC,CW) This Interdisciplinary Colloquium examines the overlap between political science and psychology. Topics include how and why citizens from political attitudes, how elected officials make decisions, the influence of values, the structure of political beliefs and ideologies, how citizens interact with each other, political persuasion, and attitude change. Special attention will be given to using political psychology to understand contemporary politics. Prerequisites: Sophomore, Junior or Senior standing.

PACS-205   Conflict Intervention (Spring; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; CW,S) The course explores the roles third parties play in managing and resolving conflicts. Students become familiar with both the central components of intervention design and the nature and structure of third party roles ranging from managers as mediators to conflict intervention in community disputes, or third party intervention in international disputes. The focusing questions of the course center on issues of how and when third parties can effectively and ethically intervene in conflicts productively. Research, case studies, and simulations are used to explore the answers of these questions and to increase students understanding of how third parties affect the course of conflict Prerequisites: PACS 105

PACS-235   Tolstoy (Spring; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; H,I,CW,CS) see RU 235.

PACS-239   Nuclear Threat (Spring; Variable; 4.00 Credits; CA,H,N,CW) This course examines the development and ramifications of nuclear weapons. Students will learn the basic physics upon which these devices operate, and explore moral issues that arose in the interactions of communities impacted by their construction, use and testing, including the perspective of scientists, government officials, and affected citizenry. Current concerns regarding nuclear weapons will be studied as well.

PACS-241   Dostoevsky (Spring; Variable; 3.00 Credits; CW,CS,H,I) Examines the writings of Dostoevsky in light of the social problems of his day and his personal search for truth and God in a world increasingly dominated by scientific materialism. Particular emphasis will be placed on Bakhtin's thesis that Dostoevsky invented a new form of the novel as well as on the darker sides of Dostoevsky's messianism and possible anti-semitism.

PACS-275   Art and Activism in Latin America (Fall; Variable; 3.00 Credits; I,H,CS) This course will study art-understood in a generic sense to include the visual arts, literature, film and music-that denounces social injustice and seeks to trigger fundamental reforms in Latin American societies. Known as arte comprometido or committed art in Latin America, the texts that will be analyzed treat topics such as political violence, economic exploitation, racism, and machismo. The class will be conducted in Spanish. Prerequisites: SP210.

PACS-281   Model United Nations (Fall; Yearly; 1.00 Credit; S,I) Students meet weekly throughout the semester in preparation for a national Model UN conference in November. In this course the students research their assigned country and assigned UN committee. They then attend four days of committee meetings as part of the Juniata delegation at the UN conference. Students may also take part in the high school conference that the Juniata College Model UN association organizes in the fall. Students may fill this role in a variety of ways (i.e. chairmen, assistants, technology, administrative). Students in this course must also pay a fee to help cover the cost of attending the conference.

PACS-282   Model United Nations (Fall; Yearly; 1.00 Credit; S,I) See PACS281. Prerequisite: PACS281.

PACS-283   Model United Nations (Fall; Yearly; 1.00 Credit; S,I) See PACS281. Prerequisites: PACS281 and PACS282.

PACS-284   Model United Nations (Fall; Yearly; 1.00 Credit; S,I) See PACS281. Prerequisites: PACS281, PACS282, and PACS283.

PACS-299   Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits; I) An examination of an area of study not regularly included in departmental offerings. Prerequisites vary with topics.

PACS-300   Anthropology of War & Peace (Fall; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; S,CW) A study of the incidence and nature of cooperation, competition, and conflict in human cultures. Evidence will be drawn from archaeological, ethnological and ethological data. Prerequisite: AN151.

PACS-305   Gender and Conflict (Fall; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; CW,S,I) Examines how an understanding of gender issues is critical to understanding, assessing, and effectively addressing many conflicts. The course takes an interdisciplinary look at conflicts ranging from the differing experiences of women and men in conflict to interconnections between masculinity, femininity, security and warfare. An analysis of the ways in which gender issues cause and escalate conflicts is paired with discussions of how to address, challenge wage and/or resolve gendered conflicts. Prerequisites: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing.

PACS-306   The American Revolution (Spring; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; CW,H) See HS305

PACS-308   Nonviolence: Theory & Practice (Either Semester; Variable; 3.00 Credits; CW,H,S) A study of the theory and practice of non-violence, this course explores both the theoretical development of nonviolence and the use of nonviolence as a means for waging and resolving conflict. The course explores nonviolence theory as it applies to issues of social change, alternative defense, and personal transformation, using writings from political, sociological, feminist, religious and philosophical perspectives. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing recommended.

PACS-311   20th Century American Wars (Spring; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; CW,H) (see HS 311)

PACS-323   Social Violence in Latin America (Spring; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; CW,H,I) (SEE HS 323)

PACS-332   International Law & Human Rights (Fall; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; CW,S,I) (See PS 332)

PACS-335   Tolstoy (Spring; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,I,CW,CS) (See RU 335)

PACS-340   Dostoevsky (Spring; Yearly; 4.00 Credits; H,I,CW,CS) See RU340.

PACS-348   Contemporary Latin America (Spring; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; H,I,CW) (See HS 348)

PACS-355   The Idea of War (Fall; All Years; 3.00 Credits; CW,CS,H,I) In a seminar setting, students read and discuss writings of Sun Tsu, Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Clausewitz. These classic writers who have influenced the " idea of war " in Western thought will be discussed in the context of more recent scholarship. Prerequisites: PACS110 or PS222 or PS102.

PACS-365   Water and Conflict (Fall; All Years; 3.00 Credits; I) Through readings, lectures and discussions, case studies and selected simulations, students and instructor will examine the role that water has played in inter-group conflict and the potential for future conflicts. In addition, the seminar will look at the agreements, procedures, institutions and organizations that have evolved around water conflicts and will consider what knowledge, skills and actions might be useful for prevention, intervention and/or transformation of such conflicts. Prerequisites: PACS110 and ESS200.

PACS-375   Art and Activism in Latin America (Fall; Variable; 3.00 Credits; I,H,CS) This course will study art-understood in a generic sense to include the visual arts, literature, film and music-that denounces social injustice and seeks to trigger fundamental reforms in Latin American societies. Known as arte comprometido or committed art in Latin America, the texts that will be analyzed treat topics such as political violence, economic exploitation, racism, and machismo. The class will be conducted in Spanish. Prerequisites: SP250 or SP255 or by permission of the instructor.

PACS-379   Bargaining and Conflict Management (Spring; Yearly; 3.00 Credits; CS,S) Bargaining and Conflict Management provides students with an opportunity to learn about bargaining and conflict management theory. Students will have the opportunity to explore and apply this theory, and to examine aspects of bargaining style, in a variety of bargaining simulations. The course will also have an international component by utilizing international bargaining simulations as an instructional tool. Prerequisite: EB202.

PACS-399   Special Topics (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits) Allows the department to offer special topics not normally offered. Departments may offer more than one special topic. Prerequisites vary by title.

PACS-405   Conflict Transformation (Spring; Odd Years; 3.00 Credits; I,S,CW) Course explores the possibilities for achieving justice, reconciliation, and sustainable peace in societies where protracted ethnic and political conflicts have had a devastating impact economically, politically and socially. The course examines the root causes of such conflict and their impact on political structures and human community, along with strategies for moving forward towards coexistence and reconciliation. There is a particular focus on how the practices of peace building and conflict transformation seek to mobilize people and resources to transform unjust structures and relationships. Specific attention is given to the key issues of security, identity, justice and reconciliation. Prerequisites: PACS105 or PACS110 or PACS205 or permission of the instructor.

PACS-455   PACS Honors Thesis (Fall; Yearly; 3.00-6.00 Credits; CW,H) Designed to serve as a capstone for students who emphasize PACS in their POE. The student will be expected to produce a major research paper which examines in depth a topic, theme, issue, or problem that has served as an area of special interest for the student throughout the previous two years of study. Prerequisite is senior standing. PACS105 and PACS110 and a minimum of 4 200+ level PACS courses.

PACS-490   Peace & Conflict Studies Internship (Fall & Spring; Yearly; 2.00-9.00 Credits; I) An opportunity which requires students to relate theory and practice to a working environment and to reflect upon that experience. Students are supervised by the Washington Center and placed in a Washington office which deals directly with peace and/or international relations issues. Corequisite: PACS 495. Prerequisite: Permission and Jr. or Sr. Standing.

PACS-495   PACS Intern.Res.Sem. (Fall & Spring; Yearly; 2.00-6.00 Credits; I) Requires students to reflect on the internship experience and/or pursue research related to the placement. Corequisite: PACS 490. Prerequisite: permission.

PACS-TUT   PACS Teaching Assistant (Variable; Variable; 1.00-4.00 Credits; S) See catalog

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