The Freedom to Learn Through PACS
The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) program at the University of Waterloo and Conrad Grebel University College prides itself on the flexibility that it offers students. The PACS401: Senior Research Seminar is one of the keys that allows PACS to offer such a range of subjects to its students. Fourth-year student Dylan-Paige Andres is a testament to this fact.
Originally studying political science at Carlton University, Dylan-Paige transferred to the PACS program in her second year. She wanted a program that allowed her to pursue her interest in human rights and World War II history more specifically and found that PACS would be a good fit.
Dylan-Paige was able to explore the relationship between theory and practice under the supervision of Dr. Naren Kumarakulasingam earlier this year through PACS401. “It was a really cool class, it taught us how to write, craft and read research papers.” She noted.
The course pushes students to use the lens of peacebuilding and sustainable community transformation to synthesize innovative solutions. Dylan-Paige studied how Nazi propaganda during WWII still applies to modern-day politics. Specifically, she focused on the shift towards fascist rhetoric within Donald Trump’s speeches and rallies since his first presidential campaign in 2016.
Another benefit of the research seminar is to forge long-lasting relationships between students. “It was a small group, so we helped each other a lot with our projects. For example, the title of my research paper was suggested to me by a classmate.” These group settings allow students to feel comfortable asking questions and learning from peers, while creating meaningful interactions.
The course culminated in a 25-page research paper, meant to prepare students for possible graduate studies. They spent much of the initial weeks working on their topic, as each student had to choose a unique area. Dylan-Paige credits Dr. Kumarakulasingam for much of her success, thanks to his support as an advisor.
Dylan-Paige is grateful for the freedom that PACS offers students. “If you have a topic of significant interest, PACS really lets you explore it. I was able to write multiple papers on World War II history, since it was a point of interest.”
As she finishes her final term, Dylan-Paige hopes to attend law school to pursue a career in human rights law. She plans to use her understanding of conflict as a strong foundation to advocate for those without the means to do so themselves.