Peace, in this context, includes economic, social and political justice, ecological balance and nonviolent conflict resolution. The Peace and Conflict Resolution Program is founded on the belief that war and organized violence are neither necessary nor inevitable, and while change and conflict are inevitable, the challenges that face the world today can be approached from a collaborative and humanistic perspective which relies on primarily nonviolent conflict resolution alternatives. The role of culture and cross-cultural communication is an integral component of the program.
Students also have the opportunity to develop practical skills in conflict resolution techniques.
The program's multi-disciplinary approach combines both micro and macro level analysis that links theory with practice, and research with action to provide training in implementation skills as well as critical analysis. Graduates will have the analytical and practical skills to serve at all levels of public policy making institutions. Students will have the flexibility to specialize in a variety of different concentrations, based on a core program. It employs a broad, multi-disciplinary approach to peace and conflict resolution theories, methodologies, issues and skills. History of movement toward stability and order in international relations, comparison and contrast of competitive and cooperative models, and investigating the forces that move society from one model to the other.