Peace and Conflict Studies - Liberal Arts Diploma
Overview
Take this program if you have a strong desire to understand human conflict and to help put an end to the world’s needless suffering through viable non-violent methods and practices.
The two-year Peace and Conflict Studies diploma emphasizes building cultures of peace through interdisciplinary study, conflict analysis and transformation and service learning. Students also have the opportunity to study internationally in PEAC 205: Global Perspective in Peace: An Independent Studies Course. The global landscape is changing as individuals and groups seek new ways to address conflict that adheres to principles of nonviolence and sustainability. In these exciting times, you can strive to be part of the global peace movement that looks at these events in a different light, choosing to see hope and optimism by viewing situations from the perspective of peace and justice.
Emphasizing peace from the interpersonal to the international, this program combines courses in the humanities and social sciences and gives you opportunities to engage in service learning or in self-directed peace related academic research.
Themes include environment, restorative justice, leadership, international development, social justice, human rights and non-violence.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of an Associate of Arts or Liberal Arts Diploma program, learners will be able to:
- Explain terms, concepts and theories of the discipline(s)
- Read, write and communicate effectively and creatively across academic disciplines
- Ask informed questions to deepen the level of enquiry
- Use quantitative and qualitative evidence to support claims
- Research and analyze evidence from scholarly and professional publications
- Synthesize and summarize literature and data
- Demonstrate developing critical, creative thinking and problem-solving skills
- Use current and emerging technology
- Demonstrate collaborative skills in a multicultural environment
- Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in an academic environment
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, as outlined in Policy 8600: Pre-Admissions Basic Skills Assessment (College Readiness Tool CRT), and Policy 8611: Admissions, Applicants to the University Arts and Sciences Program must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:
Academic
a) Students entering UAS courses, with the exceptions in 2- below, require at least 60% or better in English Studies 12, or equivalent. Students who do not meet this requirement must write the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test and achieve a minimum of level 4 to attain equivalency.
b) French 102, Spanish 102, and English 51 do not require B.C. English Studies 12 or equivalent as a prerequisite. However, students enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program wishing to take English 51 will be governed by the relevant policies and procedures of the International Education Program.
c) The English Studies 12 prerequisite may be waived for exceptional grade 12 students in the Transitions Program. Credit for transitions courses will be withheld until a grade of 60% or better in English Studies 12 is achieved.
d) Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the College’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.
e) Additional admission requirements may be necessary for particular certificate programs, diploma programs or associate degrees. Course prerequisites and program admission requirements are defined in the appendices at the end of this document, in the Selkirk College calendar, and on the College website www.selkirk.ca
f) Mature students must meet the English Studies 12 requirement and additional course requirements as specified in the college calendar.
- Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the college’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.
- Mature students must meet the English 12 requirement.
- If you are a student who lacks the admission requirements, you may still gain entry to the program by taking a combination of Academic Upgrading and university courses in your first year. This may extend the length of your program.
Selkirk College awards a Liberal Arts Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies to students who complete at least sixty (60) credits of University Arts and Science courses with a “P” grade or better in each course, achieves a minimum GPA of 2.00, and whose course selection meets the following criteria:
· Two semester courses in first-year English.
· A minimum of 10 semester courses in first- or second-year Arts and Science courses other than first-year English. Two of these courses must be Peace 100 and Peace 101.
· A minimum of six semester courses in second-year Arts of which three of these courses must be Peace 200, 201, and 203.
· Up to a maximum of six courses may be from other subjects, as long as they are at the 100-level or higher and are transferable as per the BC Transfer Guide.
The following is a selection of courses that may be chosen for this diploma. Students are advised to meet with an academic counsellor to discuss their course selection.
GRADUATION/CERTIFICATES
Diplomas
The School of University Arts and Science offers a number of diploma programs. Completion of the diploma program requires a student to complete at least sixty (60) credits of University Arts and Science courses in selected areas with a “P” grade or better in each course, and a minimum GPA of 2.00. The admission requirements, graduation requirements, and course of studies for each diploma program are defined in individual program pages in the Selkirk College calendar, and on the college website www.selkirk.ca
Courses
ENGL110 - College Composition
ENGL 110 introduces students to the world of scholarly writing -- reading it, thinking about it, and producing it as academic researchers. Students will explore how professional and/or academic writers across disciplines communicate to a variety of audiences. Students will practice active reading, writing and critical thinking skills by conducting scholarly research on a topic. This course aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to write effectively within academic contexts.
PACS (PEAC)100 - Introduction to Peace Studies I
PACS (PEAC) 100 Introduction to Peace Studies I offers an introduction to the foundational concepts of peace studies: peace, conflict, violence and non-violence. Students will gain an understanding and engage in critical analysis of historical and current nonviolence movements for social change with the goal of equipping them to help build cultures of peace.
The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.
Take three (3) general elective 100-level courses.
See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.
ENGL111 - Introduction to Literature
ENGL 111 Introduction to Literature is about living more intensely. Rather than providing answers, literature prompts us to ask better questions of ourselves and each other. Drama, poetry, short stories, and novels will guide us in discussion, reflection, and writing about literature.
PACS (PEAC)101 - Peace Studies II
PACS (PEAC) 101 Peace Studies II is the second of two introductory core courses in Peace Studies at Selkirk College. This course will focus on traditional and non-traditional approaches to Conflict Resolution transformation. Students will be introduced to conflict theory and conflict analysis, as well as conflict transformation strategies ranging from general principles and key concepts in arbitration, negotiation non-violent action, mediation, reconciliation and forgiveness, and alternative dispute resolution including, non-violent communication, peacemaking circles, conflict transformation, and conflict free conflict resolution. Students will practice identifying, analyzing, role playing, mapping, and peacefully resolving or transforming conflicts that range from the interpersonal to the international.
The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.
Take three (3) general elective 100-level courses.
See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.
PACS (PEAC)201 - From Water to Chocolate: Environment, Conflict and Justice
PACS (PEAC) 201 From Water to Chocolate: Environment, Conflict and Justice is an examination of selected global political-ecological issues, including conflict minerals, child slavery, climate change, and water wars; as well as the power and potential of various pathways to peace, including nonviolent direct action, Indigenous solidarity, fair trade, international accompaniment, ecological restoration, and environmental peace-building.
PACS (PEAC)203 - Introduction to Restorative Justice: Theory and Practice
PACS (PEAC) 203 Introduction to Restorative Justice: Theory and Practice explores the theory and practice of restorative justice. Themes include retribution, punishment and deterrence; Indigenous approaches to justice; trauma and healing; shame and empathy; community, belonging, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Students will gain familiarity with the process models of victim-offender mediation, family-group conferencing, and peacemaking circles; and will learn how restorative practices are being used in our schools.
The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.
Take two (2) general elective 100-level courses and one (1) general elective 200-level course.
See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.
PEAC202 - Leadership for Peace: The Individual and Social Transformation
PEAC 202 Leadership for Peace: The Individual and Social Transformation begins with the understanding that leadership for peace is, at its foundations, leadership for human rights and social justice; and with the further insight that social transformation is always joined with inner transformation, to the individual who ''can change the world''. PEAC 202 examines leadership and peace in relation to issues of authority, power, legitimacy, and the will to truth, reconciliation, compassion, and healing. A significant part of this course is a service learning assignment to be determined by the student in conjunction with faculty.
The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.
Take two (2) general elective 100-level courses and two (2) general elective 200-level course.
See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.
Tuition & Fees
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.
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