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Course Requirements

The minor in religion, peace and justice is a multidisciplinary program whose objective is to encourage students to think critically and develop strategic responses that will promote positive transformation with regard to:

• the nature and causes of violence and conflict; 
• racism, gender bias, inequity, degradation of the natural world, and other manifestations of human violence;
• the nature of religious understandings, values and practices as contributing to conflict and violence and as a resource for just peace-building;
• the destructive power of war and militarism;
• the sources, structures and dynamics of injustice and justice-making, the values, experiences and bases of peace and justice; and
• possibilities and strategies to encourage personal and collective transformation for the public good and individual human flourishing. 

The minor consists of five course units:

IDIS/PJUS 165
Two courses from the first group listed below (Courses in Religion, Peace, and Justice)
One course from the second group (Structures and Ideas).
IDIS/PJUS 385

In addition to the courses listed in the groups below, certain special topics courses may also be approved as choices in these groups. Interested students should check with the advisor for the minor. Ideally, Interdisciplinary 165 is taken before other courses in the minor.

Required 1st Course:

IDIS/REL/PJUS 165     Lifewalk of Justice: Introduction to Peace and Justice 
In this course students will be encouraged to identify and analyze (in)justice in our own lives, communities and world.  In addition to course readings, we will use the contemplative practices of memoir and walking as resources for critical thinking.  A majority of the course will involve students developing responses to (in)justice through various projects that reflect students’ own passion and design, including academic, artistic, political, social, service-oriented, and personal responses. (M3)

2nd and 3rd Courses in Religion, Peace and Justice (2 courses required)

Students will choose two (2) from among the following courses in the department of Global Religions that focus on the nexus of religion, peace and justice.  Additional course may be added to the list as they become available according to faculty interest and development:

4th Course Structures and Ideas (1 course required)  

Students choose one course in the applied analysis of peace and justice issues in specific social, political, economic, and cultural systems; and/or on how peace and justice are theorized.  These courses may be changed and added too in accordance with faculty interest in this program.

Required 5th Course:    

PJUS 385     Internship/Peace and Justice Praxis.
This course will round out the minor by connecting students' previous learning with concrete practice. Students may choose a form of community service, work with a non-profit or other community organization, or some other form of "hands on" learning with an emphasis on justice and peace-building that suits the particular design of their educational direction in the minor. Prior to beginning the course, students will write a rationale to explain why their proposed practicum fits into the minor's framework; this must be approved by the director before the student proceeds. 

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that he or she meets all course prerequisites before selecting courses from the above lists to complete the minor.

PJUS 265  Japan: Experiencing Culture, Peacebuilding, History.
This course consists of a two-week travel seminar to Japan along with pre- and post-trip reading, reflection, writing, and discussion.  Students will be exposed to the rich history and culture of Japan while also experiencing contemporary Japanese society. Students will explore Japanese culture through studying the continuing legacy of war and of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagaski. Yearly focus on the course will change in accordance with different faculty leaders. Students will have opportunities to learn alongside Japanese student peers from É«ÖÐÉ« partner institutions. Current partners include Osaka Ohtani University and Nagaski University (M5).

PJUS 190-199, 290-299, 390-399. Special Topics.
PJUS 286, 381-383. Independent Study. 
PJUS 384. Independent Research.
PJUS 288, 386-388. Internship.
PJUS 400-401. Honors.