SSI 120W - Introduction to Global Peace Studies

Credits: 4

Provides an interdisciplinary foundation for global peace studies. Focuses on identifying the various factors that interact to generate peace and/or conflict at the personal, local, national, and international levels. Includes analysis of how the interaction of economic and political influences, as well as the availability of environmental resources and cultural norms and values can result in peace or conflict. (Successful completion of this course satisfies the civic engagement requirement in the AA and AS degrees). Credit may be earned in IHU 120W or SSI 120W but not both.

Prerequisite(s): READING LEVEL 3 and WRITING LEVEL 3
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45 Lab Hours: 15
Meets MTA Requirement: Humanities, Social Science
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives

Analyze the impact of various forces on peace or conflict.
1. Examine the primary social forces influencing peace and conflict in our world: cultural, geographic, ideological, political, religious, and socioeconomic.
2. Compare different theories of human nature that affect the development of hostile or peaceful interactions.
3. Examine different conceptions of peace in the following areas: pacifist, rational, religious, and cultural.
4. Demonstrate competency in using the terminology of conflict management and conflict resolution in formal and informal written assignments and oral presentations.
5. Explore the role that technology and the "drive for progress" plays in creating the conditions for conflict or peace, and the impact that this has upon our planet.
Evaluate appropriate strategies to mediate conflict.
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the various stages of conflict and the ability to apply appropriate conflict mediating strategies at each stage.
2. Complete the online certificate course in "Conflict Analysis" available through the United Stated Institute of Peace.
3. Analyze principles of mediation and conflict resolution through examining case studies at the local, national, and/or international level.
Demonstrate the ability to function in a variety of conflict situations.
1. Demonstrate ability to take the perspective of the other and to apply mediation/resolution strategies to conflicts at the interpersonal level.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the commonalities shared by all humans, and the ability to positively apply this knowledge of common needs, wants, desires and values to cross-cultural and/or conflict laden situations.
3. Practice and demonstrate the ability to recognize aggression in oneself and others, and to regulate emotional responses to maintain calm and poise in a variety of situations.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
1. Communicate ideas clearly through formal and informal written assignments, formal presentations and group debates.
2. Develop skills to effectively communicate with people who have different value systems, or different backgrounds, in small and large group discussions.
Demonstrate engagement in a democratic society.
1. Complete a civic engagement project (at least 15 non-classroom hours of public activity).
  1. Assess a public problem or issue.
  2. Represent the public problem in course context.
  3. Identify one's own civic and cultural values.
  4. Formulate and implement a plan to address the public problem or issue.
  5. Reflect on issues encountered and insights gained from engagement in the public activity.