BA in Justice and Peace Studies in Washington United States | Georgetown University

Georgetown College provides an A.B. degree program in Justice and Peace Studies, along with a Minor option available to students across COL, SFS, MSB, and NHS.

The growing interdisciplinary domain of Peace Studies—sometimes referred to as peace and conflict studies, conflict resolution, or peace and justice studies—focuses on practical, ethical inquiries about achieving peace and justice in daily life. The core mission of Peace Studies is to generate actionable research for building a fairer, more harmonious world. This research involves examining the root causes of violence and war, developing strategies to address harmful societal conditions, and exploring philosophical concepts of justice. These investigations span all levels of society, from individuals and families to communities, nations, and the global stage.

The discipline grapples with fundamental yet profound questions: How do we define peace? What constitutes conflict? How can we foster one while reducing the other? Students engage with diverse, often debated theories about peace and justice that influence broader academic discussions. Key topics include the psychological and material drivers of aggression, how institutions shape peaceful or violent societies, the roots of inequality, methods of representation, and community-building factors. The curriculum also examines religion's role in shaping social values, the ethics of warfare, international conduct norms, connections between conflict and social systems, nonviolent protest strategies, and effective conflict resolution approaches across different contexts.