The undergraduate peace studies curriculum at the Kroc Institute is divided into three areas:
- The role of international norms, institutions, and states in a peaceful world order. Courses explore ways to make governmental and intergovernmental institutions more effective and to strengthen government compliance with norms of peace and human rights.
- The impact of religious, philosophical, and cultural influences on peace. Courses focus on ethics of the use of force; theological and philosophical visions of global justice; how the world’s religious traditions foment violence or encourage peace; the practice of nonviolence; and the linguistic, literary, and historical dimensions of cultures of peace.
- The promotion of social, economic, and environmental justice. Courses examine social change, with specific attention to the role of nongovernmental organizations, commercial enterprises, and states in fostering sustainable economic development, respect for human rights, conflict resolution and nonviolent conflict transformation, support of gender and family issues, and protection of the environment.
The supplementary peace studies major requires 24 credit hours of coursework, and the minor requires 15 credit hours of coursework. Students complete an introductory course, explore all three key areas of peace studies, and participate in a senior seminar.
Notre Dame students participating in study abroad programs have access to unique classroom and international service opportunities. In some cases, courses taken abroad may count towards a peace studies supplementary major or minor. Peace studies students who are considering studying abroad should contact Anna Van Overberghe to schedule an appointment to discuss their plans.
