The School of Peace and Conflict Studies evolved from the Center for Peaceful Change, which was established in 1971 as a “living memorial” to the students killed by the Ohio National Guard during a student protest against the Vietnam War on May 4, 1970.
The Center was created to be interdisciplinary in nature, and to do teaching, research and public service relative to peaceful change, with a teaching focus on learning from experience. In 1994, the name of the Center was changed to the Center for Applied Conflict Management, with a continued emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and applied skills. In 2017 the Center was transformed into the School of Peace and Conflict Studies. Today the School builds upon the legacy of its predecessors, regularly enrolling more than 1,000 students each year in courses that teach applied skills in conflict management and nonviolent change.
Vision
The vision of the School of Peace and Conflict Studies is to:
- Be a leading international center for interdisciplinary applied research, practice, and experiential learning with a shared commitment to peaceful change
- Empower people with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to prevent, resolve and transform conflict and to build more just and sustainable peaceful communities and societies at local, national and international levels.
Mission
The mission of the School of Peace and Conflict Studies is to:
- Embody and promote the School’s role as a “living memorial” to the four students killed at Kent State on May 4, 1970; and to honor their memory by always working for peaceful change
- Produce rigorous multidisciplinary research that informs teaching and practice and is capable of shaping broad-based public and policy action for peaceful change
- Develop in our students the critical and applied skills and knowledge necessary for them to achieve their full potential and to bring about positive peaceful change in the lives of others at personal, organizational, community, national, and global levels
- Develop and promote innovative practices that produce tangible social impact
SPRING 2021 COURSES
The Spring 2021 semester began on Tuesday, January 19. All PACS courses are being offered remotely during the Spring 2021 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Individual instructors will determine if their courses will be asynchronous, synchronous, or a combination of approaches. Your instructor will notify you about the course format. Our goal is to ensure that our students and faculty have the best experience in teaching and learning, while still being safe.
PACS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ADVISING
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, advising for undergraduate and prospective undergraduate students is available via email, phone or online.
For advising related to Peace and Conflict Studies coursework or questions about the PACS major or minor, please contact Karen Cunningham at kcunning@kent.edu
For advising related to college requirements (non-PACS courses), schedule an appointment for email or phone advising with the College of Arts & Sciences Advising office. The College of A&S also has information about applying for graduation.
Our Alumni Share Their Stories
Did You Know?
- The Center for Applied Conflict Management was part of the Department of Political Science from 1994 to 2017. The Center became the School of Peace and Conflict Studies with the College of Arts & Sciences, effective August 2017.
- The Washington Program in National Issues and the Columbus Program in Intergovernmental Issues fulfill internship requirements for the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) major.
- Students pursuing a graduate degree in Political Science can select the Conflict Analysis & Management track as their focus area.
Contact Us
Email: spcs@kent.edu
Phone: 330-672-3143
Fax: 330-672-0668
Need help resolving conflict?
Find Conflict Resolution Services on campus.
The SPCS Listserv sends out periodic emails about jobs, internships, news and events related to conflict management and social change. Sign up to join the listerv.