» Welcome to Peace Studies!

The 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. Peace Studies is an inherently interdisciplinary major, it is built around a core of five courses: Introduction to Peace Studies, Research Methods: Peace Studies, Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Nonviolent Social Change and Conflict Resolution: Advanced Theory and Practice. These are supplemented with five additional courses offered in Peace Studies or related fields. Examples include:

• Peace and Conflict in the Middle East
• Race and Change in the U.S. and South Africa
• Vietnam: War, Peace & Legacy
• International Law
• International Organization and World Order
• Gender Roles

Finally, the Peace Studies student takes a concentration in one department of four courses to provide expertise in an area appropriate to his or her career choice. Internships in Peace Studies are encouraged to permit students the possibility of gaining practical experience. Included among the offerings are occasional study tours to countries such as Mexico (Chiapas), Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Cuba, and South Africa. Peace studies majors are strongly encouraged to consider overseas study.

Department Learning Objectives

• Evaluate the micro (psychology and interactional), societal (organizational, institutional, and group-level), and/or macro (international and state-level) causes of current events and major world conflicts, especially those of the 20th and 21st centuries.
• Use oral and written communication to challenge dominant paradigms of violence and inequalities (including racism, ableism, sexism, economic inequality and religious intolerance) within culture, media and governments.
• Apply peace research methods of data collection and analysis to assess conflict, inequality, and/or peacebuilding strategies. Methodologies include quantitative & qualitative social science methods, historical analysis, and community-based research; students are expected to understand the ethics and politics of research related to conflict and with marginalized populations.
• Navigate cultural differences and assess how to apply culturally appropriate techniques related to human rights, peace education, mediation, diplomacy, conflict management, community building, and nonviolent activism; building respect for human dignity and self-reflection
• Gain an appreciation for the variety of disciplines’ roles in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, management, and resolution.

The Department also offers a variety of programs recommended for majors:

• The Model United Nations Program
• The Capital Semester Program
• Pi Sigma Alpha (the National Honor Society for Political Science)
• The Pre-Law Program and Pre-Law Society 

Majors can learn about various topics within the field of political science by visiting the Department’s research links page.

Despite great strides in science and technology, the modern world continues to be plagued by war and social conflicts. A growing number of institutions of higher education have come to the conclusion that just as we have service academies to educate young people in the ways of war, we need Peace Studies programs to train students how to work toward the peaceful solution of world problems. More than 200 university level Peace Studies programs have emerged across the United States. Chapman, at the forefront of this movement is among the relatively few universities to offer a full scale academic major in this new field. The Chapman Peace Studies Program is premised on the belief that peace implies more than just the absence of war. Positive peace involves social justice as well as non-violent conflict resolution. Peace is something which must be built, using methods which themselves are non-violent.

How Might a Student Use a Degree in Peace Studies?
Employment opportunities include public service with the government or multi-national institutions such as the United Nations. Specialization in conflict resolution can lead to opportunities in labor management relations or community relations. A wide variety of peace and social action organizations seek persons who are both committed to service and academically grounded in peace and social justice issues. Finally, many churches and religious organizations employ peacemakers.

Academic Program in Peace Studies
Since Peace Studies is an inherently interdisciplinary major, it is built around a core of five courses: Introduction to Peace Studies; Conflict Resolution; Political Economy; Nonviolent Social Change; and the Senior Seminar. These are supplemented with five additional courses offered in Peace Studies or related fields. Examples include: Peace and Conflict in the Middle East; Race and Change in the U.S. and South Africa; Vietnam: War, Peace & Legacy; International Law; International Organization and World Order; Gender Roles. Finally, the Peace Studies student takes a concentration in one department of four courses to provide expertise in an area appropriate to his or her career choice. Internships in Peace Studies are encouraged to permit students the possibility of gaining practical experience. Included among the offerings are occasional study tours to countries such as Mexico (Chiapas), Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Cuba, and South Africa. Peace Studies majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad; recent graduates have done so in Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, England, Austria, Spain, Morocco, Northern Ireland, and Nicaragua.

The Model United Nations Program
A popular course among Peace Studies majors is Model United Nations (MUN). Annually, during the spring semester, Chapman sends a delegation to the National Model United Nations held in New York City.

Learn more about the Model United Nations Program

Chapman University and the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Career Resources are proud to offer comprehensive personalized career services for students and alumni. Wilkinson students and alumni not only enjoy access to university-wide career services with Career and Professional Development but also program- and industry-specific support with their Wilkinson College Career Advisor, Erin Berthon.

Learn more about Peace Studies Career Resources »

Department Response to President Trump's Statement Regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Department Response to Harassment of Refugees and Undocumented Immigrants
Department Response to Executive Order 13796

In Summer 2018 the department launched a new effort to connect with alumni, friends, and supporters. This blog-style site features updates on faculty and student research, offers a glance at our upcoming and past events, and showcases how students are applying their studies in the world. We invite you to visit the site by clicking here. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, or have an idea for a feature, please do not hesitate to reach out!