Peace Studies Course Descriptions

PCE 110. Introduction to Peace Studies (3)
Interdisciplinary and international exploration of issues and theories concerning violence and nonviolence, including perspectives in several disciplines. Using current affairs, this course focuses on the individual and practical dimensions of understanding “positive” peace-enabling persons to begin developing values and attitudes concerning violence and nonviolence in contrast to the traditional “negative” view of peace as simply the absence of violence.
Fall and spring semesters. Dawit and Atashi.

PCE 120. Community Service Agencies: Building a Just and Peaceful World (4) (GEN. ED #10)
This course will provide an intellectually stimulating perspective on the challenges of community service and the different types of service. Students will examine issues including justice, direct action, motivation, the role of service in higher education, and citizenship. Students will also enjoy weekly hands-on experiences in service while working with middle-school students.
Fall semester. Bess.

PCE 124. Being Human (3) (GEN. ED. #9 AND #10)
This course combines reading, service, conversation and personal exploration to reveal how people define themselves, their relationship to the world, and their processes of meaning-making. The course addresses these issues on an intellectual and a personal level and enables students to view their questions and answers critically at the same time that they explore how age, race, gender, nationality, and other factors shape not only their answers to ontological questions, but the nature of the questions that they ask and the reasons why some questions aren't asked. Students engage in a service project as part of the course.
Spring semester. Bess.

PCE125. Topics in Conflict Resolution (3)
This interdisciplinary seminar based course encourages critical reflection on global structural injustices and strategies for action to transform the world in the interests of equity and the pursuit of peace. Focusing on the realities and impact of global economic deprivation, inequality, social and intractable conflicts that lead to environmental degradation, poverty, trafficking of women, sweatshops and child militarism, after a review of relevant theories in law, philosophy, economics and sociology of justice, we will examine a particular theme in relation to case studies in different regions of the world where long standing structural violence and inequality have led to oppression and injustice.
Variable semesters. Department. 

PCE 131. Community Performance for Peace, Conflict and Dialogue (3) (THE 131) (GEN. ED. #8)
The course surveys the history, the theory, and the exemplary practitioners of community performance”— synonymously called “theatre for social change” or “applied theatre.” Particular attention will be given to traditions that serve the goals of conflict resolution, popular education, activism, and community building. Through practical techniques, the course will demonstrate how performance structures can address community issues. This course is open to any students, actors and non-actors, interested in community arts and peace performance.
Fall semester. Françoise. 

PCE 148. Nonviolence in America (4)
Survey of the history of nonviolent actions and principles in what is now the United States, including groups such as Indians, Quakers, abolitionists, pacifists, and those in the women’s suffrage, labor, and civil rights movements. Study of the philosophical principles of nonviolence in relation to historical events and policies; assessment of justification of the principles and success or failure of the policies. Service component in Baltimore City Schools after-school programs.
Fall semester, repeated spring semester. Donelan.

PCE 205. Maintaining the Status Quo: Power and Privilege in the United States(3) (GEN. ED. #7 and #10)
This course will examine the history of privilege and its evolution from the 18th century to today. By reading historical documents, literature, biographies and sociological studies, students will explore and analyze inequalities in education, housing, jobs and examine both the means through which inequalities continue to rationalized and the means through which they are being changed. This course serves as the writing proficiency for the program. Prerequisite: college writing proficiency, sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
Spring semester. Bess.

PCE 210. Information and Society: Research Methods in Peace Studies (3) (GEN. ED. #7)
Semester-long research projects will explore the social dimensions of the information revolution, relating technology to themes of peace, justice or social change. Individually selected topics will incorporate quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including data gathered in library and narrative research. The ethics of responsible research will be addressed. Final projects will be presented in both written and Web-based format. Prerequisite: peace studies course or permission of the instructor.
Variable semesters.

PCE 220. Nonprofits in the Community (4)
In the era of globalization, nonprofit organizations are increasingly doing the work of the public sector. This course examines the work of the nonprofit sector including its impact on its constituency and on social/economic policy, the structure, mission, leadership, fundraising and governance of a number of local, national and international organizations. This a full servicelearning course. Prerequisites: PCE 124 or PCE 125 or another service course approved by the instructor.
Spring semester.  Dawit.  Offered 2008-09 and alternate years.

PCE 231. Special Topics in International Film and Literature (3) (GEN. ED #9 AND #10)
This course, organized around a rotating thematic topic in a given semester. Its focus will be on social,economic and cultural disparity as represented by filmmakers and authors originating in those societies. Of particular interest will be issues of nationalism, difference/idenity, displacement, globalization, resources/wealth, environmental degradation and control of information in post-war, post-colonial and /or post-Cold War societies. When possible, filmakers and authors will be invited for special sessions of this course. Repeatable if topic is different. Prerequisites: 100-level course in Peace Studies or permission of instructor.
Department. Spring semester 2008 and alternating years.

PCE 241. Issues in Conflict Resolution (3)
A topics course for the Peace Studies Program, in which students explore the mechanisms of conflict resolution in a variety of settings, using a case-study method. Prerequisite: PCE 110 or permission of the instructor.
Variable semesters. Department.

PCE 242. Peace Practice: Transformation of Self and World (4) (GEN. ED. #8 and #10)
Embarking from an understanding that peace begins within oneself, and emphasizing the experiential aspect of peace, the study of classical Eastern philosophical texts are balanced with guided instruction on meditation and practices from various schools of yoga and Buddhism. Prerequisites: PCE 110 or one course in philosophy and religion and permission of the instructor.
Spring semester. Hopper-Meisner.

PCE 251. Human Rights (3)
Emerging concepts of human rights, 18th century to the present; conflicting views and their justifications. Rights of persons against the state and other institutions as basic moral claims to achieve both individual self-development and social justice. Prerequisite: PCE 110, one course in political science, or history or sophomore standing.
Fall semester. Dawit.

PCE 257. Gandhi (3) (HIS 257) (GEN. ED. #4)
This course studies Gandhi’s life, actions, and ideas, in the hope that they may provide some tools to make the new century a better one than the last—for the society and the people around us, and for the physical and moral environment in which we live. The course also examines the ideas of Western figures such as Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. in relation to Gandhi. Prerequisite: Frontiers.
Variable semesters. Bagchi.

PCE 262. Indians in the United States (3) (HIS 262) (SOC 262) (GEN. ED. #4)
Using comparative analysis of indigenous and nonindigenous societies, this course will examine indigenous forms of government and social structure pre-1492 to the present. Prerequisite: one course in history, peace studies, or sociology and sophomore standing.
Spring semester. Department.

PCE 272Y Intensive Course Abroad (GEN. ED. #3) 
Understanding Conflict: A Peace History in Spain (8) (SP 272Y.002)
This interdisciplinary course builds Spanish language skills into the curriculum of Peace Studies through a seven-week pre-program course in the fall dedicated to the study of current conflicts in Spain (2 credits), a three-week immersion experience in Granada and Bilbao (Spain) in January (4 credits), and a seven-week post-course in the spring (2 credits). This course will explore contemporary conflicts through a study of their historical roots. The final seven weeks will be conducted mostly in Spanish to increase awareness on the importance of attaining proficiency in a second language to understand and participate in conflict resolution. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: PCE 110 and/or 148, or permission of the instructor and SP 130 or FRO 140.
Variable years. Dawit, Saenz de Tejada

PCE 283. Peace Within/Peace Without: Human, Societal, Global Possibilities (3) (PSY 283)
Examination of the interconnectedness between psychological growth, awareness, and expanded human consciousness and interpersonal and societal transformation. Exploration of relationships between individual human consciousness and ecological (planetary) connections and wholeness. Includes such topics as The Roots of Cruelty, Human Destructiveness and Creativity, The Power of Love, The Search for Self and Others, The Rise of the Feminine, and The Voices of the Earth. Readings will include works of Fromm, Rogers, Laing, Houston, Miller, Roszak, and others. Prerequisite: PCE 110 or 120 or permission of the instructor.
Fall semester. J. Bradford. Offered 2007-08 and alternate years.

PCE 285. Comparative Peace Traditions (3)
A survey of peace thought in the Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Judaic, and Hindu philosophical traditions. The course explores how the world’s major religions, through their scriptures, scholarly works, and bodies of practice, have posed the concept of peace in individual and communal life. Prerequisites: PCE 110, or a course in philosophy or religion, or approval of the instructor.
Variable semesters. Department.

PCE 290.01 City Schools Program (3)
Students should plan to have free time in their schedule between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

PCE 290.02-UP Individually Identified Internship
Fall/spring. Department.

PCE 299. Independent Work (1.5-3)
Department.

PCE 310. International Human Rights Law (3)
This course is a critical exploration of the international human rights legal system including treaty bodies, regional organizations, commissions, courts and special complaints committees. Of particular interest is the work of the European Commission and Court of Human Rights, the Inter-American and African Commissions and Courts, the International Court of Justice, and the U.N. Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. Prerequisites: PCE 251 or 200-level political science or sociology course, or approval of the instructor.
Department.

PCE 320. Identity and Conflict (3)
This course explores the complex interrelations of social identity and ethnic conflicts with the emphasis on the role of identity in processes of conflict resolution and transformation. Critical reflection and analysis of ethnic, national and religious identities as both generators and outcomes of conflict will be an important part of the course. Through readings, lectures, documentaries and simulations the course aims to extend knowledge of the construction of various layers  of soial identity and to develop a framework for transformation of identity based conflicts. Prerequisite: a 200-level course in peace studies or permission of the instructor.
Fall semester. Atashi.

PCE 340. Special Topics in U.S. and International Peace Studies (3)
Examination of advanced concepts in peace, conflict resolution and/or human rights thought through an in-depth study of major international and current events. These may include conflict in relation to peacekeeping, public health, globalization, international tribunals, and diplomacy, among others. Repeated with different topic.

PCE 345. Topics in Peace Studies: Country Study (3)
This interdisciplinary seminar course will explore the history, politics, culture, and society of Iran from a domestic, regional and global perspectives. We will begin with a historical analysis of the Persian Empire, civilization, religion as well as the early contribution to philosophy and art. The second part the course will examine politics and the events leading to the Iranian revolution, the Iran-Iraq war and post war development leading to the present situation in Iran including global relations with particular emphasis on the United States. The final section of the course will deal with an exploration of gender, ethnicity, civil society, religion, media and culture  with the goal of arriving at a better understanding of issues confronting Iran on a domestic and global level. 
Spring 2007. Department.

PCE 380. Senior Symposium (4)
This capstone course for majors and minors, will be a symposium on bridging peace thought and peace work. Students and faculty will read, analyze and discuss a number of peace theories and the ways in which individuals, communities solidarity groups and organizations implement them to bring about personal, social and political change. Some years, faculty and students together will design community interventions from determination of problems, to identification of stakeholders to program design and implementation. Prerequisites: Senior Peace Studies major or minor.
Spring. Department.

 PCE 399. Independent Work (4)
Department.