Center for Peace and Justice Education

The Center for Peace & Justice Education is a member of the College of Arts and Sciences as well as a division of the Office for Mission and Ministry.

The academic program in Peace & Justice, open to all students in the University, offers an interdisciplinary approach to topics of peace and social justice. The course of study provides students with an opportunity to study the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching as applied to the complex problems of our time.

Courses focus on the components of a moral and just society, reflect on the alternative models for socially responsible resolution of injustice and conflict, and provide opportunities to learn the necessary skills to be advocates of a just and peaceful world. Many peace and justice courses meet requirements of the core curriculum. Students in each of the colleges of the university can complete a major or minor in Peace & Justice.

The Center for Peace & Justice Education also coordinates programming and opportunities for active engagement within and beyond the Villanova community.  The Center houses a variety of student organizations, sponsors numerous lectures and films, and presents annual awards for outstanding work in peace and justice.

The Center explicitly carries out the Catholic and Augustinian mission of the University by contributing to the search for peace and social justice through education rooted in the Catholic Social Tradition. Through its various components, the Center strives to help the University community understand the essential elements of a moral and just society, reflect on models for socially responsible resolution of injustice and conflict, and learn the necessary skills to be advocates for a just and peaceful world.

Components of the Center:

• Interdisciplinary academic program in peace and justice.
• Education in peace and justice issues through student organizations.
• Education of faculty, staff, students and the local community in peace and justice issues through speakers, forums, workshops and films.
• The development of skills through training and experience to effectively participate in the process of building a more just, compassionate and peaceful global society.
• Publication of the Journal for Peace and Justice Studies.

A) Identify social, political, religious, and natural barriers that create conflict or injustice

B) Demonstrate awareness of historical and other contexts in which conflict and injustice occur

C)  Offer a careful analysis of conflict or injustice with specific examples

Learning Goal II:
Assess conditions necessary for social justice and peaceful relations
Learning Objectives

A) Identify operative normative frameworks regarding peace and justice

B) Provide a coherent argument for normative claims regarding peace and justice

C) Demonstrate sensitivity to alternative frameworks and anticipate challenges to normative claims regarding peace and justice

Learning Goal III:
Create practical strategies to realize social justice and peaceful relations
Learning Objectives

A) Articulate a practical strategy/solution to a conflict or injustice that is social, political, religious, or personal

B) Demonstrate an awareness of the complexity of practical strategies/solutions and address potential challenges

C) Demonstrate an awareness of a broad, historical view of social change, including both individual/small-scale action as well as systemic/large-scale initiatives