Peace and Justice Studies

Organization

Dates

Existence: 1980 -- 2010 - 2010

Biography

Abstract:

Peace and Justice Studies and Communications and Media Studies were established in the Experimental College as satellite programs sometime after 1979. In 1990 the faculty approved independent status for Peace and Justice Studies, and it became a major in the School of Arts and Sciences

The Peace and Justice Studies Program (PJS) was founded to provide students an academic means to integrate an understanding of the many crises facing the world and to encourage involvement in nonviolent attempts to build a world of peace and justice. Education, particularly higher education, offers a valuable setting for creating peace and justice through study and active involvement in social change processes. PJS is dedicated to working to provide a university-wide forum for the discussion of these issues. PJS sponsors or co-sponsors numerous educational events and community activities to enrich and expand classroom work.

PJS is administered by an Executive Board that includes faculty, staff, and students. This Board sets overall policy, helps shape the curricula and activities of the Program, and often organizes co-curricular events for the entire campus. The goal is to encourage different types of interaction to help create and sustain an engaged learning community.

In 1991 a summer program known as the Institute in Social Movements and Strategic Nonviolence was founded. It is also referred to as the Summer Institute. In 2000, an additional distinction is made between the Peace Institute and the River Institute. Students performed summer internships with the New England Peace Studies Association and Educators for Peace. 2000 marked the tenth anniversary of the Institute in Social Movements and Strategic Nonviolence Program.