Peace Studies

Peace Studies examines nonviolent ways of resolving conflict. Peace workers support individuals, families, communities and whole societies in transforming conflicts before they escalate towards violence. They help conflict-affected communities to rebuild into societies that are sustainable, ecologically just and equitable.

Peace Studies also engages with contemporary issues such as globalisation, climate change and refugee flows.

Undergraduate and postgraduate study

You can enrol in Peace Studies at both an undergraduate and graduate level. Study on campus in Armidale or fully online in your own home, or abroad.

Peace Studies major: From the courses below, link to the Course and Unit Catalogue, go to Course Rules and Plans, then scroll down to Program of Study to locate information.

Opportunities

• Dirk Boomsma Memorial Peace Studies Bursaries
  Students who study Peace Studies at UNE are eligible for the Dirk Boomsma Memorial Peace Studies Bursaries.
• Annual Nonviolence Film Festival
  We host an annual Nonviolence Film Festival, featuring documentaries about non-violent actions around the world.

Student feedback

• Inspirational and enlightening.
• Amazing support; great topics; interesting discussions and a warm atmosphere. Definitely one of my favourite subjects.
• Very stimulating unit; excellent resources recommended. A very timely unit for this day and age when we face many world and life challenges. I would highly recommend this Unit to all age groups.
• This unit really opened my eyes in so many ways and gave me a real sense of empowerment when so many things these days can make us feel quite powerless.
• By far it is my favourite element of my studies.
• The most engaging and valuable units I have studied.

Career options for Peace Studies graduates

People from all walks of life, and from a range of professions, seek insights into understanding how to deal with direct, structural and cultural violence within societies affected by violent conflict.

Our current students range from educators, military personnel, lawyers, social workers, community development workers, agriculturalists, natural resources managers, members of the clergy, activists and allied health professionals.

There are growing areas of practice and research in the international arena of post conflict recovery and conflict management.

Australian and international involvement in areas adversely affected by armed violence is increasing. Tens of thousands of people are deployed around the globe as either United Nation Peacekeepers or Peace Monitors, as non-government humanitarian workers supplying aid and relief, or engaging in longer term recovery and reconstruction projects with indigenous and international NGOs, or as international observers, diplomats or government representatives.

Some employers support or sponsor their employees through a Peace Studies specialisation in one of our courses. Both the employee and employer will gain from the benefits of a:

• solid contemporary education, as well as training in the skills relevant to today's complex and changing world, equipping people to resolve conflict and prevent violence
• more comprehensive understanding of community development and peacebuilding
• better appreciation of the requirements for working cooperatively in inter-cultural and international environments.

Many of our graduates have gone on to:

• run peace-building consultancies around the world
• lecture in peace at international institutions
• work in government and non-government organisations advising on policy and peace solutions
• conduct peace research in regions experiencing conflict
• establish community-based organisations that assist conflict-affected individuals, families and communities.

Further information

For more information about our courses and studying at UNE, please contact AskUNE.