Requirements for the Minor

The requirements for the minor are as follows:

• Five electives (15 credits)
• Capstone project (3 credits)

Students must satisfy the electives requirement in at least three different academic disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Two of these electives must be at the 300-level or above. Students may fulfill parts of the electives requirement through an equivalent study-abroad course, but only with the approval of the minor director. Up to two electives may be cross-counted between the Peace and Justice Studies minor and another minor or major, provided that the policies governing the other major or minor do not stipulate against it. In some cases, a new course that is not on the electives list may be used to satisfy the elective requirement, but only with the approval of the director. 

The capstone requirement provides students with an opportunity to revisit the question of the interrelationship of peace and justice and pursue a cumulative research paper that synthesizes coursework and applies peacebuilding models to one or more cases. Ordinarily, students fulfill this requirement by registering for a Peace and Justice capstone course during their senior year. In the event that a capstone seminar is not offered, students may register for an additional 300- or 400-level elective course and work with the course instructor to ensure that the written assignments fulfill the requirements of the capstone project. If a student is unable to find a suitable elective, they may register for a mentored capstone study with a Peace and Justice faculty member, preferably as a group of two or more students.  In consultation with the director, students choose a course of action no later than the spring semester of their junior year.