Peace Studies

Minoring in Peace Studies gives you the opportunity to explore causes of war, conditions of peace, and how to avoid the former and promote the latter. The program adopts an interdisciplinary approach to examine some of the basic questions of our time: what is peace, what is conflict, and how can one be promoted and the other prevented? Peace Studies includes analyses of issues involving class, race, gender, sexual preference, the environment and international relations of all kinds. The minor is the result of a generous donation made by Fred and Ruth Graf, alumni of Purdue University.

The program in Peace Studies incorporates materials from: political science, history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, communication, etc. It also includes health science, nutrition, nursing, genetics, and bio-engineering. 

This minor, housed in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, may be pursued by students with any major. The interdisciplinary character and flexibility is the main attraction of the program. All Peace Studies minors are required to take POL 23000: Introduction to the Study of Peace and four other courses that together would constitute a substantively coherent program. Students wishing to concentrate on the study of war, or non-violence, for example, could select four courses from various departments that examine war or non-violence in detail.

Career Opportunities

The Committee on Peace Studies is currently building a database on internships in various governmental and non-governmental organizations. The Members of the Committee on Peace Studies will offer counseling to students on internships, education, and other career opportunities in the field. 

Internships

Semester Peace Studies Internship, Indianapolis Peace House

The Indianapolis Peace House is located in an historic neighborhood. It houses a live-in facility for college students combining formal academic training in peace studies with practical hands-on experience working with a variety of peace and justice organizations in the city. These include Habitat for Humanity, the Peace Learning Center, Horizon House, the Mary Rigg Community Center, and a variety of agencies that provide such services as assistance to the homeless, empowering neighborhood residents, researching pro-bono legal cases, and mentoring youth. 

Purdue University students may register for up to 15 credit hours to live, study, and work at the Indianapolis Peace House during the spring semester. 

The Plowshares Peace Studies Program at Indianapolis Peace House is sponsored by the Plowshares Peace Studies Collaborative of Earlham, Goshen and Manchester Colleges, funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. 

The Committee on Peace Studies, Purdue University, is a collaborating member of the Indianapolis Peace House study and internship program. For further information about the spring internship program, check the website and contact Harry Targ, Department of Political Science and Coordinator of the Committee on Peace Studies, Purdue University (targ@purdue.edu) 

Indianapolis Peace House 
3951 N. Meridian St., Suite 120
Indianapolis, IN  46202
(317) 631-7322 
www.indianapolispeaceinstitute.org