Peace & Justice Studies

Create a just world.

Peace and justice studies is an interdisciplinary minor that focuses on the interrelated nature of problems confronting modern societies. These include different forms of violence, inequality, and oppression leading to wars, poverty, racism, sexism, global imbalances of power and ecological destruction.

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Why study Peace & Justice Studies at Millsaps?

In their own words

Angel Williams, Class of 2019

“The minor itself is a testament to Millsaps College as a whole, and each class served as a microcosm that consistently fosters a space of critical and free thinking that leads to robust conversations. I understood my potential as an agent for change in any community I am blessed to be a part of.”

K.J. Stone, Class of 2018

“My time as a peace and justice studies student has profoundly shaped my ethics and how I desire to live out my vocation. Learning how to approach/engage complex social problems and inequalities, and look for ways to engage the issues through lenses of both deeper philosophical understanding and proactive involvement has been integral to how I’ve navigated how to be a part of peace-making in my life post- college.”

Worth Wilsey, Class of 2023

“As a lifelong outdoorsman, environmental ethics was my natural step into peace and justice studies. It introduced me to contemporary injustices and provided relevant internships with a trade association, and with governor's and senator’s offices. This program incentivizes aspiring activists to cultivate their passions and challenges them to determine: What is worth fighting for?”

Featured Courses

Here is a sampling of a few courses that might pique your interest.

PHIL 2240 Philosophy of Violence

An introduction to the conceptual, ethical and psychological issues of violence. Topics include the politics and physiology of torture, the machines and structures of war, and the forgotten history of what is today called “trauma.”

COMM 3400 Studies in Intercultural Communication

Consider the relationship between communication and culture through study of communications within and between ethnic groups, social classes and other communities.

Browse all Peace & Justice Studies courses

Degree Options

Discover your degrees, minors, concentrations and certification options available for this field of study.

Minor in Peace & Justice Studies

The program allows students to explore local, national, and international issues of violence and injustice along with practical strategies for developing or enhancing peace and justice.

Self-Designed Major

Design a major to best fit your personality, career goals and specific educational needs. The self-designed major is a customized major that you design, working closely with appropriate faculty. Create your own peace & justice studies major.

Pathways

Our curriculum emphasizes problem solving and critical thinking skills essential to any career (and therefore any Pathway), as well as scientific writing and experimentation skills that may be especially critical to students interested in any of our six Pathways tracks.

Learn More About Pathways