About Peace and Conflict Studies

What is Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS)?

• A chance to learn about peace and justice by taking courses in a wide variety of university departments and programs.

• An exploration of peace, war, nonviolence, conflict resolution, mediation, human rights, development, and other social justice topics.

• An opportunity to learn both in the classroom (with over 100 PACS-related courses offered in nine participating departments) and through experience in the real world (internship program).

• A program that recognizes equal value in both the concrete techniques and the theories of peaceful social change.

• A holistic approach to peace education.

Peace is:

A healthy society where communities and individuals flourish. It involves just relationships among its members. It is a space where all people are welcome to pursue goals that enhance the well-being of themselves, their communities and their environment.

Conflict is:

An inescapable part of the human experience. While conflict is often viewed as being undesirable, it is not necessarily "bad" nor the result of unreasonable or evil intentions. Conflict need not lead to violence and can actually serve the positive function of enabling society to develop creative solutions to current social problems. If managed properly, conflict and the competition that arises from it, can serve as the "glue" that holds together a peaceable society.

Mission

Within the parameters of the mission of Conrad Grebel University College, the PACS mission states: "In a manner consistent with Mennonite Anabaptist beliefs, the mission of PACS is to educate students to pursue peace and justice in the context of diverse investigations into the origins and nature of conflict and violence. The program strives to educate, invigorate and mobilize students to make use of conceptual and/or practical models to imagine and build a culture of peace between individuals, in our communities, among nations and around the world."

Purpose

The purpose of the Peace and Conflict Studies program is to explore why conflict and violence occurs, and to understand how conflict can be transformed by "collaborative decision-making" to accomplish constructive ends.

Who are PACS students?

PACS courses are open to all students at the University of Waterloo.

PACS can be taken as an Honours, 4-year general, or 3-year general major.

It can also be combined with another discipline in many other faculties at University of Waterloo, but specifically in the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Environment as a joint major. 

Students wishing to combine Peace and Conflict Studies with co-operative education should choose Arts and Business. 

PACS is also available as a minor or option with any other plan, providing the student's home faculty approves.

It is also available as a non- or post-degree Diploma.

Who are PACS graduates?

PACS graduates have gone into many careers and used their training in different ways. Here are some examples:

For more information, contact:

Department of Peace and Conflict Studies
Conrad Grebel University College
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G6
519-885-0220 x24269