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Peace and Conflict Studies Undergraduate Program OverviewGeneral Description
Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) has been an undergraduate major at the University of California, Berkeley since 1985. The program also offers a minor. The founding premise of PACS is that war and other forms of violence, despite their omnipresence, can be mitigated and transformed through the application of knowledge. To this end, the major introduces students to critical analyses of the social, economic, political, and ecological structures of conflict, power, and processes of change. Given the complex and multifaceted nature of violence and its causes, students are expected to approach their studies from a number of interdisciplinary perspectives. PACS majors are encouraged to develop an integrative understanding of peace theory, research, and practice, taking advantage of internship opportunities in both local and global settings.
The PACS curriculum is designed to provide students both breadth and depth in their study of peace and conflict. Breadth is accomplished by the survey fields and depth through the area of concentration. Students, in consultation with an academic advisor, choose the courses that will fulfill these requirements. Areas of concentration include Human Security, Global Governance, Culture and Identity, Human Rights, Conflict Resolution, and Nonviolence. Any one of these six may also be combined with a regional focus. Areas of concentration may be combined or reconstituted in special cases by petition to the program Chair. Additionally, all students are required to fulfill a common set of core courses: Introduction, Methodology, Theory, and the Senior Seminar. Admission
To declare PACS, students must:
Have attended a Major Declaration Workshop; and
Have completed PACS 10 with a grade of C or better; and
Have a major and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher;
Not be in their final semester of undergraduate work.
See the PACS Student Handbook for details and instructions on how to apply.Overview of Requirements
Lower Division Courses (1)
PACS 10, Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies (must earn a C or better to declare)Foreign Language
All students must be able to demonstrate a proficiency equivalent to four college-level semesters in any single modern language other than English. Equivalency can be achieved through coursework, AP credit, examination and/or study abroad. Languages accepted by the College of Letters and Science are not automatically accepted by the PACS major. Please check with the department for eligible languages. Upper Division Core Courses (2)
PACS 100, Peace Theory: Approaches and Analyses
PACS 190, Senior SeminarUpper Division Concentration (2;4)
Survey: To provide a breadth of subject areas and the background necessary for the development of a concentration topic, students must complete one course from six broad subject areas: (1) Human Securityr; (2) Global Governance; (3) Culture and Identity; (4) Human Rights; (5) Conflict Resolution; and (6) Nonviolence. Both survey areas must be fulfilled by upper division courses. Consult the PACS Student Handbook for a list of approved courses.
Concentration: For the concentration requirement, students pursue advanced study on a particular issue or topic in peace studies which unifies their major. A minimum of four upper division courses is required. Students can either develop their own concentration topic in consultation with the faculty chair or they may choose from one of four pre-defined areas: (1) Global Systems/World Order; (2) Human Rights; (3) Conflict Resolution; or (4) Nonviolence. See the PACS Student Handbook for details on developing an individualized concentration. All concentration courses must be approved by an advisor.Methods Courses (1)
All students must complete one upper-division course on research methodology. The methodology requirement is designed to give each PACS major a set of analytical skills appropriate core focus of their individual program. The methods course can be drawn from two broad categories - Statistical Methods or Research Design. See the PACS Student Handbook for a list of approved methods courses. Honors (1)
Students with minimum GPAs of 3.5 cumulative and 3.6 in the major are eligible to join the honors program. Honors students write a prospectus in the fall IAS H102 methodology class, and then a thesis in the spring PACS H195 seminar. After Graduation
The PACS major prepares students to contribute to the creation of just, equitable, and peaceful conditions in the world, as citizens and in their chosen careers. The critical perspective and analytical skills acquired equip students for graduate and professional training, as well as for work in corporate, governmental, and non-governmental settings.
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