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Peace Institute > Academic Programs > Peace & Conflict Resolution Major

Peace & Conflict Resolution Major

In cooperation with the Interdisciplinary Studies BA Program, the Matsunaga Institute for Peace is offering a major for undergraduates in Peace and Conflict Resolution.  The major is interdisciplinary in nature and is concerned with the academic study of war and other forms of conflict (both direct and structural).  With the exception of three required courses, students are free to design their own program with the guidance of an Interdisciplinary Studies and Peace Institute faculty advisor.

Qualifications to earn a Bachelor's of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

  • You must be enrolled in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. 

  • You must submit for approval a proposal of your course of study.

  • You must have a minimum Grade Point Ratio (GPR) of 2.0-although keep in mind that this may need to be higher if you are including courses from other programs in which admission demands are higher.

  • Upon the acceptance of your Peace and Conflict Resolution proposal, a minimum of 21 credits must still be completed under this program at the start of subsequent semester.

  • Required GPA in your major is 2.5 and no grade below a C.

Orientation

Before getting started, it is imperative that you attend an orientation at the Interdisciplinary Studies office early in your Junior year. 

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The Proposal

Your proposal lists all courses to be counted for graduation, including credits already earned, transfer credits, and courses still to be taken.  In total, you must earn at least 124 semester hours of credits, of which at least 104 are to be in the colleges of Arts and Sciences.  These courses are arranged in two categories:  

  1. "Core" or "General Education Requirements":
    Interdisciplinary Studies majors need to meet University core requirements.  Because these may differ slightly according to each individual's case (e.g., the student's date of entry, the core currently in place, etc.), students will save time and effort by checking early and by attending a Junior Matriculation and Planning (JUMP) Session with the Arts and Science Student Academic Services, located in Queen Liliuokalani Center for Student Services Room 113.
  2. Equivalent of Peace & Conflict Resolution Major:
    These courses total 36 credit hours and come from the following combinations:
    1. PACE 310 "Survey Peace and Conflict Studies"
    2. PACE 447 "Mediation Skills: UH Basic"
    3. PACE 495 "Practicum & Internship
    4. The remaining 24 credit hours or eight courses to meet the major's minimum requirement of 36 credit hours must be selected with your Interdisciplinary Studies and your Institute for Peace Advisor. The list of courses below is meant as a guide and not an exhaustive list.

    1. ANTH 423 Social & Cultural Change
    2. BIOL 310 Environmental Issues
    3. COM 340 Intercultural Communication
    4. ECON 466 Growth & Crisis in the Global Economy
    5. FAMR 350 Leadership & Group Processes
    6. GEOG 336 Geography of Peace & War
    7. PACE 247 Survey of Conflict Management
    8. PACE 315 Personal Peace: Stories of Hope
    9. PACE 340 Negotiation
    10. PACE 373/POLS 345 Aggression, War, & Peace
    11. PACE 373/POLS 496 Nonviolent Political Alternatives
    12. PACE 399 Directed Reading
    13. PACE 410 History of Peace Movements
    14. PACE 412 Ghandi, King & Nonviolence
    15. PACE 413 Terrorism
    16. PACE 477 Culture & Conflict Resolution
    17. PACE 478 International Law & Disputes
    18. PACE 485 Topics in Peace & Conflict Resolution
    19. PACE 495 Internship
    20. POLS 201 Problems of War & Peace
    21. POLS 319 International Organization
    22. POLS 375 Public Law & Judicial Behavior
    23. POLS 394 Democracy in Organizations
    24. SOC 433 Analysis in Law & Social Change
    25. SP 455 Conflict Management
    26. WS 304 Women, War & the Military
      *A student may not apply towards the major more than 9 credit hours from any combination of PACE 399, PACE 495, and PACE 496.

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Counseling

A fundamental part of this program requires that you have two faculty advisers, one in Interdisciplinary Studies and the other, someone who specializes in your field of study in the Peace Institute.  They advise you about meeting your degree requirements and help you in selecting appropriate courses.

Student Status

  1. The Peace Studies major should have Junior standing (55 credits) and a JUMP session at Arts & Sciences, Student Academic Services, Hawaii Hall 108.
  2. At the time your Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution proposal is accepted, you must have at least 21 credits to still complete, beginning with subsequent semester.

Your Senior Year...

  1. Have a senior check (Office of Student Academic Services, Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Hawaii Hall 108.
  2. In order to graduate from UH Manoa, you must be living in Hawaii during your final semester.
  3. Attend a Graduation Audit (GRAD) session.
  4. Pay the diploma fee at the cashier's office.

To view a downloadable informational brochure regarding the undergraduate major in Peace and Conflict Resolution, click here.

For further information, be sure to attend an orientation at Interdisciplinary Studies no later than your early Junior year.

For courses offered in Fall 2009,click pdf.

 

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