Programs
Master of Arts in Peace and Justice Studies
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MA Graduation 2003 |
The Master of Arts in Peace and Justice Studies is an interdisciplinary program at the intersection of conflict analysis and resolution, human rights, development and human security. The goals of the program are to produce graduates who are scholar-practitioners capable of relating disciplinary and cross-disciplinary theories of peace and justice to real world problem-solving involving local, regional and international conflict; to foster scholarly agendas that examine the dynamics of justice and peacebuilding; and to facilitate faculty and student interaction and development across disciplines and academic units at the University of San Diego, as well as in the community. Students in the program have the opportunity to benefit from the School of Peace Studies’ two institutes: the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice and the Trans-Border Institute.
Curriculum Plan
The program begins in late August with a required orientation, introducing students to the range of interdisciplinary scholarship in the program. Students in both tracks take four required core courses, one skills-based course, three 1-unit workshops/practica and three elective courses selected in consultation with their advisor. Students who wish to focus their studies on an emphasis (human rights, development and human security, or conflict analysis and resolution) must take at least two of the three elective classes in their area of emphasis. Both tracks conclude with a capstone project requiring students to apply skills and perspectives acquired in the program to a current problem threatening or preventing peace and/or justice. In the 17-month track, the internship course serves to integrate the practical experience of the internship with theory through critical discussion.
With the exception of the capstone course and, for students in the 17-month track, the internship, substitutions of required courses can occur with the approval of the Program Director if a required course duplicates previous academic work of the student.
Core Courses
- Conflict Analysis and Resolution
- International Justice and Human Rights
- Development and Conflict
- Research Methodologies
Areas of Emphasis**
**Bullet points are indicative of topics relevant to each area and do not represent the names of specific courses.
Conflict Analysis and Resolution• Community conflict/resilience • Conflict assessment • Conflict prevention/early warnings • Conflict and international policy • Post-conflict peacebuilding • Ethnic and identity conflict (identity as language, race, class, gender, ethnicity, faith) • Faith-based traditions and peacebuilding • International and regional institutions • Negotiation and mediation • Nonviolence, religion, communication • Social movements |
Development and Human Security• Economic development and political economy • Post-conflict development policy • Sustainable development • Human security • International organizations • Peacebuilding • Humanitarian aid • Civil society and NGOs • Human capital • Organizational management • Political development and governance (institution building, rule of law) • Failed states/states in transition • Resource conflict |
Human Rights• Human rights policy and institutions • Advocacy, NGOs and social movements • Human rights monitoring, documentation and media work • Rule of law • Access to justice • Transitional justice • Restorative justice and reconciliation • Justice mechanisms (local, national and international) • Genocide, mass atrocities and the responsibility to protect • Identity, culture and human rights • Public international law and international humanitarian law |
Prospective Students |
Current Students |
Alumni |
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For more information
| On the Master's Program - Contact: | On how to apply - Visit Graduate Admissions: |
Lee Ann Otto, Ph.D. Associate Dean Email: lotto@sandiego.edu Marisa Alioto Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services Email: mnalioto@sandiego.edu |
www.sandiego.edu/admissions/graduate The Office of Graduate Admissions is located in Serra Hall, Room 202. Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm. Contact and mailing information: University of San Diego Phone: (619) 260-4524 |
