Minor in Peace and Justice Studies

The Peace and Justice Studies Minor offers an analysis of conditions that lead to war, violence and injustice as well as opportunities to develop a vision for a more peaceful and just world and an appreciation of how individuals, governments and institutions can contribute towards that goal. Ranging from the local to the global levels, the courses enable students to examine impediments to peace and justice-such as militarism, repression, violence, racism, sexism, underdevelopment and environmental decay-as well as ideas, strategies, social movements, and theological and philosophical approaches that seek to build a just and peaceful society. Students must also complete an internship with any of a wide range of peace and human rights groups in the Bay Area or beyond.

The Program requires the completion of five 4-unit courses (20 units), chosen from the following categories:

Required Introductory Course:

• POLS - 353 Politics of War and Peace or
• SOC - 353 Sociology of Peace and War

Choose one course (4 units) in three of the following four categories, for a total of twelve (12) units:

Peace and Conflict

• SOC - 227 Violence in Society
• SOC - 333 Nationalism and Citizenship
• POLS - 344 Revolution and Reaction in Latin America
• SOC - 350 Social Movements
• POLS - 351 Global Conflict Resolution
• SOC - 351 Revolution and Reaction

Social and Economic Justice

• POLS - 345 Global Economic Justice
• POLS - 352 Human Rights and Global Change
• POLS - 322 Politics of American Justice
• POLS - 348 Politics and Development in Africa
• SOC - 233 Women in Developing Countries
• SOC - 302 Global Inequalities and Social Justice
• SOC - 304 U.S. Inequalities and Social Justice
• ECON - 372 Economic Development
• PHIL - 376 Philosophy of Social Justice
• PHIL - 381 Advanced Social and Political Philosophy

Ethical and Spiritual Perspectives

• POLS - 317 Religion and Politics
• POLS - 341 Nonviolence in Theory and Practice
• PHIL - 308 Liberation Philosophies
• THRS - 322 Liberation Theology
• PHIL - 376 Philosophy of Social Justice
• PHIL - 381 Advanced Social and Political Philosophy
• THRS - 361 Religion and the Environment
• THRS - 384 Religion and Nonviolence

Social and Political Movements

• POLS - 327 American Reformers and Revolutionaries
• HIST - 360 American Women and Political Activism
• SOC - 322 Globalization and Resistance
• SOC - 340 Social Change
• SOC - 350 Social Movements
• PASJ - 205 Theatre and Social Issues
• COMS - 364 Communication for Justice and Social Change

Required Internship

Choose one of the following (4 units):

• POLS - 397 Fieldwork in Public Interest Organizations
• SOC - 395 Fieldwork in Sociology

Note: Students may complete more than one minor. But in doing so, students may count no more than 2 courses for any two or more minors. In other words, for each 5-course minor, at least 3 of those courses must be unique to that minor, and not be used to satisfy any other minor.