2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Conflict, Peace, and Social Justice, B.A.
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More information about College of Liberal Arts :
A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict, Peace, and Social Justice.
The Conflict, Peace, & Social Justice Major (CPSJ) is a 12-course 36-credit interdisciplinary major offered within the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at Mount St. Mary’s University (MSMU) and leading to a B.A. degree. Led by a Director who is appointed by the Provost, the CPSJ Major is administered through the Provost’s Office. The CPSJ Major provides for an interdisciplinary examination of the conditions that make for peace, we are considering issues arising within the Global Sphere (Political Science, Business/Economics), American Society (Sociology, Political Science, History, Literature, Theology, Philosophy), or Personal/Interpersonal Relations (Communications, Literature, Psychology, Theology). In focusing on both the analytical and normative aspects of conflict, social justice, and peace work, the CPSJ Major seeks to graduate students committed to promoting the development of a just and peaceful world order, and to being catalysts for social and personal change.
Both the pedagogical and practical dimensions of the CPSJ Major promote success for our students. Pedagogically, this major arises from within the Mount’s CORE curriculum, characterized by its rich interdisciplinary nature and developed to foster both critical thinking and communications skills. This major looks beyond the classroom, however, to include a number of practical, hands-on requirements that promote not only academic success, but success in the world of work as well. It is a major that grows out of our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, wherein we seek to be a beacon in a world beset by wars, strife, unemployment, poverty, and the disenfranchised: MSMU has long been committed to graduating students who will not only “be good,” but who will “do good,” as well. Finally, this is a major that highlights inclusion. Violence - whether structural or physical - is usually perpetrated upon an other, someone we see as being unlike ourselves (class, race, age, ethnicity, gender), someone we feel free to ignore or to treat differently than we would our family or friends. Peace-building demands we respect the humanity of each human being and seek to restore lost hope and opportunity in their lives.
Students graduating with a CPSJ Major will be able to:
- Convey an understanding of key actors, organizations, issues, and events pertaining to conflict and peace-building in the 20th and 21st Centuries;
- Undertake critical analysis of conflicts in accordance with professional disciplinary standards, using appropriate theoretical lenses;
- Analyze socio-cultural differences operating locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally, demonstrating an awareness of power and decision-making within particular systems;
- Examine critical ethical and moral challenges to peace-building today and explore constructive ways of addressing them;
- Develop and conduct original research in the field of Conflict and Peace-building that utilizes appropriate evaluative methodology and draws upon disciplinary standards of excellence in scholarship and writing.
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Core Requirements (46 to 49 credits)
Tracks
In consultation with the student’s Academic Advisor, s/he will also select a specific TRACK of study and take at least 3 courses which relate to the chosen Track. The choice of Practicum/Internship should also be related to the Track selected.
Global Track
Students focusing on Global Conflict will explore conflict, peace, and social justice in the international order, including politics, business/economics, development, and issues of national and/or ethnic identity. Of special interest will be the role of international norms, states, institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in pursuing and maintaining a peaceful world order. Students will take at least 3 relevant courses from the list below. Students interested in ENVIRONMENTAL issues should pursue an Environmental Science Major and a CPSJ Minor; OR CPSJ Major with a Biology Minor.
Courses that would fulfill the Global Track requirements include: BUS 310 ,BUS 319 ,BUS 334 ,BUS 344 ,BUS 394 ,COMM 225 ,PHIL 333 ,PHIL 347 ,PSCI 126 ,PSCI 190 ,PSCI 222 , PSCI 270 , PSCI 314 , PSCI 333 , PSCI 337 , PSCI 341 , PSCI 342 , PSCI 343 , PSCI 348 , PSCI 349 ,PSYGE 325 ,THEOL 337 In specific cases and in consultation with their advisor, students may wish to take History or Literature electives as well. NOTE: not all courses are offered annually.
Societal Track
Students focusing on Societal Conflict will explore the domestic norms, institutions, and NGO’s operative in the United States in achieving social, political, and/or economic justice, and conflict arising within institutional organizations. Students will take at least 3 relevant courses from the list below. Students interested in issues related to the ENVIRONMENT should pursue an Environmental Studies Major and a CPSJ Minor; OR CPSJ Major with a Biology Minor.
Courses that would fulfill the Societal Track requirements include: COMM 210 ,COMM 225 ,COMM 327 ,COMM 328 ,PHIL 323 ,PHIL 333 ,PSCI 126 ,PSCI 210 ,PSCI 227 ,PSCI 311 ,PSCI 329 ,PSCI 332 ,PSCI 348 ,PSYCH 205 ,PSYCH 208 ,PSYCH 314 ,PSYCH 335 ,PSYCH 345 ,PSYCH 360 ,PSYCH 365 ,SOC 200 ,SOC 202 ,SOC 213 ,SOC 214 ,SOC 245 ,SOC 303 ,SOC 304 ,SOC 315 ,THEOL 333 ,THEOL 334 ,THEOL 335 ,THEOL 337 . In specific cases and in consultation with their advisor, students may wish to include History or Literature electives as well. NOTE: Not all courses are offered annually.
Personal/Interpersonal Track
Students focusing on Personal/Interpersonal Conflict will explore responses to personal trauma (conflict, violence, personal loss) and/or interpersonal conflict arising from issues of communication between individuals. Students working in this track may have the intention of working in fields such as negotiation, counselling, mediation, or law. Students will take at least 3 relevant courses from the list below. Students interested in graduate work in Art or Music Therapy should see Dr. Rosenfeld, Chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.
Courses that would fulfill the Personal/Interpersonal Track requirements include: COMM 225 ,COMM 327 ,COMM 328 ,COMM 374 ,ENGL 3XX Conflict in Literature, PSCI 222 , PSCI 341 , PSCI 342 , PSCI 348 ,PSYCH 205 , PSYCH 335 , PSYCH 340 , PSYCH 345 , PSYCH 365 ,SOC 205 ,SOC 225 , SOC 303 , SOC 304 , SOC 315 ,THEOL 333 . In specific cases and consultation with their advisor, students may wish to include courses in History and Literature, or Fine Arts electives as well. NOTE: Not all courses are offered annually.
Note
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Social Justice, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students must also earn a major GPA of 2.0, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Electives
33 to 35 credits
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