Goals of the Peace Studies Program and the Courses In It

Peaceful coexistence among individuals, groups, and nations requires continuous, active cooperation among persons who respect, tolerate, and even cherish differences.   Such harmonious relations depend on a wide range of skills and attitudes which are difficult to acquire and difficult to practice.  Few societies or individuals have devoted adequate resources to the learning and practice of these vital skills.  In response to the need for research, education, and training for peaceful action, the Peace Studies Program seeks: 

1. To increase awareness of the many types and levels of violence in human experience:  not only overt, physical assault but the more subtle forms of      violence in discriminatory institutions and customs, in verbal and cultural expression, etc. 

2. To present information and ideas about persons and groups involved in nonviolent activities in diverse times and places. 

3. To consider and evaluate a variety of methods for dealing effectively with differences and conflicts in peaceful ways, and to provide opportunities for     practicing the difficult skills of nonviolent problem-solving. 

4. To encourage peaceful interaction with the community at large.