Peace and Justice Studies (KROC)

KROC 470 | WAR, GENDER AND PEACEBUILDING

Units: 2-3 Repeatability: No

Non-Core Attributes: Experiential

This course explores the peacebuilding roles that women play in conflict zones around the world. Like traditional courses, it will include an introduction to gender and peacebuilding and an analysis of women’s leadership in human rights activism and conflict resolution. However, this unique course is built around the involvement of women peacemakers from conflict zones around the world who will play an active role in the classroom and help us explore how power, oppression, and gendered identities contribute to war and peace from the personal to the societal levels. Through a series of expert lectures, case studies, interactive exercises, and mixed media presentations, students will gain an increased understanding of gender and peacebuilding, including the gendered drivers of conflict, and the different roles women and men play supporting, preventing, mitigating, and resolving conflict.

KROC 471 | IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM IN PRACTICE

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

Non-Core Attributes: Community Engagement, Experiential

The course begins with an overview of U.S. immigration and asylum policy and how it interfaces with global migration, war, revolution, and climate change. We examine the critical role that race, class, ethnicity, country of origin, and gender played in the development of U.S. immigration law and policy, and how they impact policies today. We look at U.S. asylum policy and examine the role of international law in its implementation. Does the United States comply with the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol? Turning to immigration issues confronting us today, we examine immigration policies of current and prior administrations, including DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), family separation, the criminalization of immigration, asylum, and other topics. We look at issues specific to our Mexican-American border at San Ysidro, CA.

KROC 472 | TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE

Units: 3 Repeatability: No

Transitional Justice is a somewhat new field of policy, practice, and study that focuses on the moral, legal, and political dilemmas encountered as individuals, communities, and nations attempt to grapple with historical legacies of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and other large-scale human rights violations. In such circumstances: Who must be punished and who may be pardoned? Do vigorous efforts to promote legal accountability jeopardize the emerging and fragile peace? What is the proper role and responsibility of the so-called international community in such circumstances? In this class, we will examine the complementarity and conflict between the often-overlapping demands that nations face in the wake of large-scale human rights abuses, including retribution, reconciliation, restitution, memory, and other forms of accountability. This will include study of the traditional range of transitional justice tools and interventions that have evolved, including international tribunals from Nuremburg to the ICC, truth commissions, reparations programs, public memorials, vetting and lustration initiatives, and broader institutional reform. Along the way, we will probe the blind spots, assumptions, and limitations of varying transitional justice mechanisms, together with the transitional justice project in general.

KROC 490 | SPECIAL TOPICS SEMINAR

Units: 2 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)

A course focusing on a special topic in peace and justice studies, conflict management and resolution, or social innovation. The course content and structure will differ depending on the instructor. See learning objectives for more information about the specific course, and consult your advisor for the full course description.

KROC 494 | SPECIAL TOPICS COURSE

Units: 3 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)

A course focusing on a special topic in peace and justice studies, conflict management and resolution, or social innovation. The course content and structure will differ depending on instructor. See learning objectives for more information about the specific course, and consult your advisor for the full course description.

KROC 497 | PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

Units: 1 Repeatability: No

The Kroc School equips changemakers. This course will help you to link the concepts, skills, and work-products developed in your time here with the professional requirements of the industry you wish to enter or return to upon graduation. In particular, this course will provide the time and support required to compile a professional portfolio comprised of the items specified by your degree program. The Portfolio contains a Curriculum Vitae highlighting your accomplishments to date, a cover letter, and a reflective essay, which serves as a coherent framework for drawing together lessons learned from your studies, and articulates your professional goals and trajectory. The rest of the Portfolio is comprised of work products from portfolio-eligible projects in your courses such as policy memos, strategy memos, articles, and grant applications. During class meetings we will work to identify and refine these work products, and how to showcase your accomplishments for a professional audience.

KROC 499 | INDEPENDENT STUDY

Units: 1-3 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)

An independent study for up to three units provides students an opportunity to research a topic of particular interest to them relevant to Peace and Justice Studies. The faculty supervisor, program director and Dean of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies must approve the project proposal prior to the beginning of the relevant semester. This course may be repeated up to a maximum of three units.