Conflict Studies Minor

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Acceptance to the Program

The conflict studies program is open to all interested undergraduates and is individually tailored to address each student’s learning objectives. Prior to approving a proposed course of study, each student is required to meet with a member of the core faculty to develop a statement that describes the student’s proposed learning objectives and how they relate to the student’s academic major, and to identify appropriate courses that will meet the student’s learning objectives. Approval should be obtained by the end of the term in which a student completes the second required course, Approaches to Conflict Response. Students may only count courses toward the minor that have been approved in advance by a program director. Students pursuing a minor may elect to continue for a certificate, with approval of the program director.

About the Minor

The conflict studies minor is designed to help students develop deeper insights and understanding into the causes and dynamics of conflict and to gain competence and courage to address conflict in constructive and innovative ways.

To ensure that students develop a coherent program of study related to their major area of interest, the program is divided into three areas of emphasis or “tracks.” After completing the two core courses required of all conflict studies minors (CFST 1100 and CFST 3100), each student selects and follows the one track most appropriate for his or her focus of study. Courses within each track are at the 3000-level or above. Students should consult with a conflict studies program director about approved courses within each track.

Minor Requirements

Students take six courses as follows:

Two Core Courses

Four Courses from Student’s Selected Track

Track 1: Interpersonal Conflict

This track explores conflict at the individual level. Students interested in this track might have academic majors such as business, communication studies, legal studies, management, philosophy, psychology, religion, and women’s studies, among others.

Track 2: Group/Organizational Conflict

This track explores conflict within and between groups and organizations. Students interested in this track might have academic majors such as communication studies, environmental studies, global studies, international management, legal studies, management, political science, psychology, religion, social studies, social justice, sociology, and women’s studies, among others.

Track 3: Sociocultural Conflict

This track explores conflict at the sociocultural level, whether domestic or international. Students may elect to focus on conflict within or between the United States and/or other nation-states. Students interested in this track might have academic majors such as anthropology, criminology and criminal justice, history, international management, Latin American studies, legal studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, social justice, social studies, sociology, and women’s studies, among others.

Internship/practicum/off-campus study

Students pursuing the undergraduate minor are encouraged, but not required, to participate in an approved internship, practicum, or off-campus study experience with a theme related to the study of conflict. An approved internship/practicum/off-campus study experience can substitute for one of the four courses required from within the student’s track.