Why Study Peace Studies?
The Peace and International Studies Minor prepares you for a wide variety of options. You can use this minor in pursuit of an advanced degree and/or career in the field of law, political science, medicine, non-governmental organizations as well as international organizations, journalism, criminal justice, social services, radio or television reporting, governmental service, teaching, international business, conflict resolution, international relations. It is also a good minor for students interested in preparing themselves for their roles as informed citizens in a democracy.
Students enrolled in this minor gain an understanding of the complexities of the global community and its issues. Students report that this minor helps them acquire skills in critical thinking, conflict resolution and mediation - skills required of most jobs and day to day living.
Meet Peace Studies Minor Maame-Ama Antwi. Here is what she says about picking Peace Studies as a minor:
Students enrolled in this minor gain an understanding of the complexities of the global community and its issues. Students report that this minor helps them acquire skills in critical thinking, conflict resolution and mediation - skills required of most jobs and day to day living.
Meet Peace Studies Minor Maame-Ama Antwi. Here is what she says about picking Peace Studies as a minor:
"I am a Senior from Chicago land area being a first generation Ghanian American with a major in Medical Biology and a double minor in Chemistry and Peace Studies. I decided to get a double minor in Peace Studies for many reasons. One reasons include my father teaching and installing in my sister and myself the importance of appreciating what we have and using our privilege to make a difference in the world, and although I know it is practically impossible to save the world, I have always wanted to do my part to help those that do not get the chance to live as I have. America's poor is a lot of the rest of the worlds rich. Another reason why I decided to get a double minor in Peace Studies deals with an experience I had when I went to Ghana in 2004. In this 5 week experience, I stayed with my mother and sister in my uncles very extravagant hotel living like royalty while many Ghanaians', my people, lived on less than $2 a day. This was the first time I started inquiring the structure of any governmental system. During this time, I also noticed many other problems such as: dirt roads leading to both village like houses and mansion estates, no street lights or street lights with dead bulbs, and just no upkeep of the country especially for a country capital. In this trip I also got a chance to talk to the people (I know, little me at 12 years old talking to the people in the market). One particular day, my mom and I stopped upon this lady that was selling papaya and cassava. We started a conversation with her leading to laughter and I couldn't help but notice she was covering her mouth trying to hide her poor dental care. Prior to this trip I wanted to be a dentist, but this incident confirmed it and also inspired me to work with Doctors Without Boarders upon finishing my dental training to help those around the world that are not able to smile freely when they want to. I believe everybody should have the right and comfort with smiling and I believed getting a double minor in Peace Studies would help me understand other parts of the world that I am not familiar with and may be sent to if I get into the non-governmental organization. I also decided to get a minor in Peace Studies because I previously did not know much about the world in which I live but truly believe in the idea of peace (having countries not in war with each other or with themselves and treating their citizens fairly) can be achieved. Due to my involvement in this minor, I have learned about MANY different topics with my main interest in previous conflict and women studies. These two are my main topics of interest because from all the knowledge I have obtained progressing through my minor, it is my belief we will NEVER achieve peace if two things do not happen, one being learning from the conflicts of our past and not repeating them in the future and the other is women empowerment. If we do not learn from our past conflicts they will repeat and by getting women empowered it inspired generations way of living and thinking along with women usually staying close to their family so it also uplifts rural or village areas. In my opinion everyone should take a class that pertains to Peace & International Studies because it opens your eyes to see the world for what it really is!"