Peace and Social Justice Studies Minor
What is the purpose of the minor?
The interdisciplinary minor in Peace and Social Justice Studies focuses on practical questions of how to realize peace and justice in the everyday world. Minor courses provide students with a historical perspective on injustice and corresponding movements for social justice; and on the philosophy and methods of nonviolent protest and conflict resolution. The aim is to cultivate the knowledge and skills necessary for citizens to build peace with justice locally—among families, communities, and organizations—as well as nationally and internationally. Minor courses will enable students to:
- Analyze, respond to, and reduce conflict on both individual and social levels
- Develop approaches to and methods for prevention and resolution of all forms of violence and violations of human rights
- Contribute to the development of social systems and societies that promote peace with social justice.
What are the practical applications of minor study?
The knowledge and skills students gain from course work have practical application in numerous fields of employment. These fields and associated positions include:
- International and humanitarian development—Assisting non-government organizations (NGO) or international organizations to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings peacefully.
- International conflict—Providing policy analysis for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or the international criminal court.
- Peacebuilding—Community-based activism that addresses issues of religion and race, or community and interfaith peacebuilding, through dialogues and problem-solving workshops.
- Education—Student or staff advocates in K-12 peer-mediation programs who bring conflict resolution practices to the classroom, helping students involved in home- or school-based disputes.
- Legal system--Specialization in mediation, arbitration, negotiation, or dispute resolution.
- Human resources—Specialist in conflict resolution within organizations or in employee relations.
- Federal government—Service an ombudsman/conflict resolution advisor to federal agencies.
- Public decision-making—Designing processes in local governments or agencies to help communities make decisions on land use or other community policies.
- Security—Assisting in the development of nonviolent means of conflict resolution in intelligence services, the military, or law enforcement.
- Social/political activism—Training volunteers in activist organizations.
What are the minor requirements?
The PSJS minor consists of 18 hours of course work, including a three-hour required course and fifteen hours of electives.
Options for Required Courses (3 hours):
- HIST 4350X | Peace and Nonviolence Movements
- or HON 2304C | Nonviolence and Sustainable Social Change
- or PHIL 4360C | Philosophy, Nonviolence, Sustainability, and Social Change
Please view our Peace and Socials Studies Minor Courses Listing for a full list of elective courses.
For more information you may contact either of the minor advisors:
Dr. Leah Renold
Email | leahrenold@txstate.edu
Office | Taylor-Murphy 209
Phone | 512.245.2118
Dr. Rebecca Montgomery
Email | rm53@txstate.edu
Office | Taylor-Murphy 217
Phone | 512.245.2116