Program Overview
Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies (PAX) Program
The Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies (PAX) program at DePaul University offers a comprehensive curriculum that explores the complex relationships between peace, justice, and conflict. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical approaches to building a more just and peaceful world.
Course Offerings
The PAX program offers a wide range of courses that cover various aspects of peace, justice, and conflict studies. Some of the courses include:
- PAX 101: Everyday Conflict: Analysis, Evaluation, and Practices for Moving Forward
- PAX 102: Chicago and Strategic Nonviolence
- PAX 112: Chicago Justice and the Work for Social Change
- PAX 200: Communities Working for Sustainable Justice and Peace: Service in Chicago and the U.S.
- PAX 201: Frameworks for Peace: Practical Models for Social Change
- PAX 202: Active Nonviolence: Practical and Creative Approaches
- PAX 206: Boundaries and Identities
- PAX 210: International Conflict and Peacebuilding
- PAX 212: Social Justice and Social Change
- PAX 214: Conflict: Storytelling, Intervention, Negotiation
- PAX 218: Human Rights: Promise and Problematics
- PAX 220: Social Engagement for Peace and Justice
- PAX 225: Transnational Grassroots Social Movements
- PAX 228: Identity, Privilege, and Social Change
- PAX 231: Analyzing Poverty, Its Causes and Consequences
- PAX 235: The Ethics of Poverty
- PAX 238: Topics on Homelessness and Poverty
- PAX 240: Voices of War and Peace: Art, Literature and Film
- PAX 241: Human Rights Under the Lenses of Film and Other Arts
- PAX 242: Pictures of Injustice: Narrative Arts in Social Justice Movements
- PAX 243: Visualizing Poverty Through Film and Narratives
- PAX 244: Archeology of Power: Testimonies from Film, Literature, and Narratives
- PAX 250: Topics: Tools for Social Change
- PAX 251: Topics: Tools to Support Justice, Human Rights, and Peacebuilding
- PAX 252: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- PAX 253: Despair and Hope
- PAX 255: Love, Hate and Reconciliation
- PAX 256: Inner Peace: Experience and Philosophical Approaches
- PAX 268: Disability Justice Studies: An Introduction
- PAX 270: Peace Movements Throughout History
- PAX 271: Global Refugee Crisis
- PAX 275: Movements for Gender and Trans Justice
- PAX 278: Disability Justice, Rights, and Policy
- PAX 290: Topics on Justice and Peace
- PAX 299: Independent Study
- PAX 300: Topics Seminar
- PAX 301: The Theory and Practice of Nonviolent Action
- PAX 303: Border Matters: Literature & Culture in the Latino/a Borderlands
- PAX 304: Topics in Migration and Forced Migration
- PAX 306: Global Empires
- PAX 308: Nature, Society and Power
- PAX 309: Critical Development Theory
- PAX 312: Transcending Coexistence: Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation
- PAX 313: Beyond Conflict Resolution: The Evolution of Grassroots Peacebuilding
- PAX 316: Topics in Critical Theory, Philosophy, Policy
- PAX 320: Transformative Justice: Theory and Practice
- PAX 321: Principles and Practices of Restorative Justice
- PAX 330: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Origins and Controversies
- PAX 331: Liberation Theology
- PAX 340: Human Rights in the Global Context: Challenges and Interventions
- PAX 344: Topics in Environmental Justice
- PAX 345: Women, War, and Resistance
- PAX 348: Indigenous Political Struggles
- PAX 350: Capstone in Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies
- PAX 351: Geography, Food and Justice
- PAX 360: Topics in Development Studies
- PAX 362: Language and the Politics of Terror
- PAX 364: Political Autobiography: Transnational Feminist Tales of Healing and Resistance
- PAX 365: Topics in War and Peace
- PAX 372: Trauma, Art & Resilience
- PAX 373: Literature of War in the 20th Century
- PAX 380: Topics in Nonviolence
- PAX 381: Topics in Peace Building
- PAX 382: Topics in Social Justice and Social Change
- PAX 383: Topics in Conflict Intervention
- PAX 384: Topics in Activism and Advocacy
- PAX 385: Topics in Human Rights
- PAX 386: Topics in Global Justice
- PAX 387: Topics in Peace, Justice and Religion
- PAX 388: Topics in Law, Justice, and Human Rights
- PAX 389: Topics in Community Development, Advocacy, & Activism
- PAX 391: Special Topics in Politics and Engagement
- PAX 392: Internship in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies
- PAX 398: Senior Thesis
- PAX 399: Independent Study
Program Requirements
The PAX program requires students to complete a minimum of 40 quarter hours of coursework, including core courses, electives, and a capstone project. Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to remain in good standing.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the PAX program can pursue careers in a variety of fields, including:
- Non-profit management
- Community organizing
- Social work
- Public policy
- International development
- Human rights advocacy
- Conflict resolution
- Peacebuilding
Research Areas
The PAX program faculty are engaged in research in a variety of areas, including:
- Peace studies
- Conflict resolution
- Social justice
- Human rights
- Nonviolent action
- Community development
- International development
- Environmental justice
Admission Criteria
Admission to the PAX program requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and completion of the application process, which includes submission of transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.