Nonviolence Studies Interdisciplinary Minor
The interdisciplinary Minor in Nonviolence Studies provides students an opportunity to learn about philosophical, cultural and literary traditions of nonviolence and the histories of nonviolent change. The minor imparts a systematic understanding of nonviolence as a core human virtue, a positive force that is grounded in courage, compassion and conciliation, and is key to creating a peaceful and sustainable future for humanity.
This understanding is especially critical given the many-faceted problems of violence and war. Students taking this minor will feel inspired to become innovators working toward promoting human dignity, advancing social justice and nurturing ecological harmony. At the same time, they will also gain the ability to develop and apply nonviolent methods for resolving conflicts. Designed to serve as a complimentary emphasis to any major, this interdisciplinary minor will provide students additional career options such as business sector jobs in human resources, industrial and labor relations and conflict management, and public sector positions in community service agencies, correctional institutions, and government departments. Other career paths exist working in the non-profit sector including international agencies, and in non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Moreover, the minor will well serve the professional needs of the future schoolteachers.
For further inquiry, contact the faculty advisor for the Minor and Director of the Ahimsa Center, Dr. Aishwary Kumar
Minor Required: 6 Units
- CLS 4490 - Law and Nonviolence [Capstone Seminar in Nonviolence Studies] (3)
- HST 4433 - Political Nonviolence & Democratic Life [Nonviolence in the Modern World] (3)
Minor Electives: 12 Units
Select 12 units from the following 3 categories:
- ENG 2882 - War and Peace in Literature (3)
- HST 3306 - Modern India (3)
- HST 3332 - Colonial and Post-colonial Africa (3)
- HST 3340 - History of American Institutions and Ideals, 1877 – Present (3)
- HST 3352 - History and Culture of the British Empire (3)
- HST 4431 - What is Freedom? [Topics in World Civilization (3)]
- HST 4435 - Environmental History (3)
- PLS 3551 - International War and Peace (3)
- PLS 4990 - Special Topics in Political Science (3)
- SW4440 - Human Rights (3)
NOTE: Students taking HST 4431 are required to take The Freedom Seminar offered under the rubric.
Students taking PLS499 courses on themes relevant to Nonviolence Studies must formally request that their project be counted toward the Minor. Such a request will need to be made and approved in advance.
- CLS 4100 - Model United Nations (3)
- EWS 3800 - Women in Global Perspective (3)
- EWS 4010 - Contemporary African American Studies (3)
- EWS 4020 - Contemporary Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies (3)
- HST 1102 - World Civilizations from 1500 (3)
- HST 3331 - Precolonial Africa to 1885 (3)
- HST 3370 - History of California (3)
- HST 4407 - History of American Workers, 1877-Present (3)
- PHL 3060 - Philosophy and Religion of India (3)
- DAN 2020 - World Dance and Cultures (3)
- HST 4494 - Digital Research Project in World History (3)
- HST 4495 - Digital Research Project in European History (3)
- HST 4496 - Digital Research Project in American History (3)
- KIN 2700 - Stress Management for Healthy Living (3)
- SW 3322 - Family Violence (3)
NOTE: Students working on Digital History Projects on themes relevant to Nonviolence Studies must formally request that their project be counted toward the Minor. Such a request will need to be made and approved in advance at the beginning of the semester.