Program Overview

Introduction to the Restorative Justice Diploma or Specialization

The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Department at the University of Waterloo, based at Conrad Grebel University College, offers a Diploma and a Specialization in Restorative Justice. This program is available to all University of Waterloo students, with a particular focus on students studying in the Faculty of Arts. The Restorative Justice Diploma or Specialization will be effective in the fall of 2024.

Program Overview

Within Peace and Conflict Studies, Restorative Justice (RJ) is a unique area of study that focuses on healing and accountability to repair harm and injury, build healthy relationships, and foster thriving communities. Completing the diploma or specialization enables program participants to:

• explain restorative justice philosophy, its historical roots, and aspects of its interdisciplinary scholarship;
• critically reflect on RJ practices and ethics;
• apply anti-racist and decolonial lenses to understand how power interacts with systems of oppression in relation to harms and violence, as well as RJ practices and agency; and
• demonstrate skills in applying aspects of RJ philosophy and practices in their lives, field studies, and/or professional work.

Academic Requirements

The Diploma or Specialization in Restorative Justice requires the successful completion of six (6) courses. This includes:

Required Courses

• PACS 202/LS 271: Conflict Resolution
• PACS 329/LS 344: Restorative Justice
• PACS 331: Trauma, Healing, and Social Transformation

Indigenous Studies Courses

• One of the following three Indigenous Studies courses is required:
  • INDG 201/CDNST 201: The Indigenous Experience in Canada
  • INDG 272/ANTH 272: Issues in Contemporary Indigenous Communities in Canada
  • INDG/PSCI 228: Introduction to Indigenous Political Thought

Elective Courses

• Two additional courses from a list of 19 electives, offered by 12 different departments, with one elective at the 300-level or above. Examples of course electives include:
  • BLKST 103: Combating Racisms
  • LS 403/ SOC 428: Sentencing as a Social Process
  • SDS 331R: Social Inequality, Social Justice and Social Action
  • and many more.