The dramatic changes in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and the new spirit of cooperation between these countries and the United States have signaled the end of the Cold War. Despite these positive changes, conflict and social turmoil continue throughout the world. While ideological differences among nations persist, strife of a national, ethnic, or religious nature (often fueled by economic injustice) has re-emerged as a fundamental challenge to world peace. The events of September 11, 2001, tragically demonstrated the changing nature of global conflicts. Responding to these challenges, the peace studies program reaches beyond the confines of strategic studies and disarmament issues to probe the underlying causes of international conflict and domestic strife.

The autonomous peace studies program offers a major and minor which encourage students to analyze the sources of social conflict and explore the potential for the nonviolent resolution of such strife. The problem-centered, multicultural, and interdisciplinary program is premised on the belief that the analysis of conflict demands a thorough synthesis of insights from various fields of knowledge. Students in the Model United Nations program annually attend the National Model United Nations Conference in New York City. Peace studies majors are strongly encouraged to consider overseas study as well as internship opportunities.