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Berea College

The interdisciplinary field of Peace and Social Justice Studies focuses on practical questions of how to realize peace and justice in the everyday world. We are concerned with building peace with justice locally: with families, communities and organizations, and we also strive to reduce injustice and build peace nationally and internationally. 

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Peace and Social Justice Studies majors and minors are encouraged strongly to engage their studies in and beyond the classroom. We promote experiences in local and global partnership organizations and shared leadership in the Peace and Social Justice Studies Department.

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Berea and our surrounding area offer tremendous teaching and learning resources for Peace and Social Justice Studies’ students. Because of the rich history of Berea College and responses to poverty and community development, this part of Central Appalachia has become a working laboratory for studying environmental and economic issues. Courses in this program typically include opportunities for community engagement and social change in Berea and Central Appalachia.

Berea, Kentucky and Appalachia

In the aftermath of 9/11, the study of peace with justice is increasingly significant for understanding and responding to the changes occurring in a world undergoing the processes of globalization. Peace and Social Justice Studies is a field that can be used to prepare oneself to participate critically and effectively in addressing the challenges of globalization that in one way or another will shape our future. Through internships and international travel, students enter into different cultures, work with human rights organizations and peace practitioners.

A Global Perspective 

Peace and Social Justice Studies sponsors or co-sponsors numerous educational events and community activities to enrich and expand classroom work. Many Peace and Social Justice Studies students are involved in various campus organizations, such as People Who Care, the Muslim Student Association, African Students Association, Hispanic Student Association, Student For a Free Tibet, Harvey Milk Society, Bereans for Appalachia, HEAL, Black Student Union  and others dedicated in various ways to the ongoing struggle for community and social justice.

Campus Involvement

Peace and Social Justice Studies is not the only program at Berea College in which the ideal of a learning community is honored by both faculty and students. However, our program strives to be among the most innovative and dedicated in seeking to make this ideal become a living reality.

Participation in a Genuine Community of Learning

Berea students are invited to apply for the Caux Scholar program. The program convenes in Caux, Switzerland, at the international conference center for Initiatives of Change, Mountain House, for an intensive studies program in applied peacemaking.

Caux Scholar Program

Students in peace and social justice studies typically acquire a broad and comparative understanding of conflict, violence and peace. Our primary goal is the development of students’ knowledge and competencies in fields that contribute towards peace and social transformation. The department brings intellectual and experiential inquiry to the fundamental interrelationship between peace and justice. 

Through our classes, programs and interactions, PSJ students and faculty seek to

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A major or minor in Peace and Social Justice Studies opens many doors and career paths as you develop your knowledge and practice of peace-building. As a graduate, you can:

Sarah McLewin ’12 explains how Berea’s Peace and Social Justice Program introduces students to a “new world view” through learning about global issues. The program also offers a theoretical understanding of nonviolent solutions. Through looking at the processes of past social movements while also analyzing current issues, students gain an ability to apply theory to action—now, and in their future.
<a href="https://youtu.be/6tllyajf7Io" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Watch Sarah McLewin’s retrospective here.</a>

Sarah McLewin, '12

A quote from Martina: “The highlights of my PSJ major are learning to be understanding, patient and persistent. I learned very quickly the importance of various issues and how many others issues, especially at the national level, take precedent. Whatever route I take, I always keep in mind that I have to continue to be persistent in all that I do, but I also have to have patience.”
How her perspective was shaped with action: Martina did an internship with Entrepreneurship for the Public Good Fellowship as the EPG Cohort 6 Member and EPG Fellow. She conducted 10 interviews in with community members, and elected city officials in Berea, KY and Hindman, KY. Also, she collaborated in the development of a training plan for ecofriendly business practice for the Chamber of Commerce of Hindman, KY. Using the skills she gleaned from Conflict Transformation, she facilitated 3 community discussions
What she’s doing now: Martina works as a Research and Material Development Intern for NAACP’S Environmental and Climate Justice Program. She works on developing environmental justice toolkits for youth chapters and community guides on how to organize around coal plant issues.

Martina Jackson, '10

A quote from Lolly: “In Introduction to Peace and Social Justice Studies, I learned to think globally. I was no longer the center of my universe; I was a small peon in a much larger world. Peace and Social Justice Studies have widened my view of society and global issues. I constantly see injustices now, whereas before, I would not have recognized them.”
How her perspective was shaped with action: Lolly participated in the Sheppard Poverty Alliance Internship in Helena Arkansas. She was responsible for authoring a code of research ethics for the Tri-county rural health network. In the low-income delta are there has been a history of people coming to do research. However, in that area there were no guidelines that the researchers had to follow that would help protect the subjects and give them a sense of dignity. It was her assignment to create a document that the researchers had to comply with.

Lolly Saleem, '08

A quote from Corrie, “Take direct action. Take it out of the books and onto the streets. Don’t get bogged down in the sorrows of injustice but inspired in the creativity and community created by working towards a more just society.”
How her perspective was shaped with action: Corrie was a part of the Bonner Scholar program at Berea. She volunteered at different places in Europe and also in an urban farm in Philadelphia. She was the CELTS program manager of HEAL, a student-led sustainable community development organization.

Corrie Spellman

A quote from Wendy, “The strength of Peace and Justice Studies is its interdisciplinary nature. Disciplines are fantastic but I can’t study social class without using sociology and politics. Everyone has their comfort zone and interdisciplinary studies move you out of your comfort zone.”
How her perspective was shaped with action: Williams studied Peace and Conflict as her minor at Swarthmore College. She studied conflict in Northern Ireland between Protestants and Catholics. Researching the attitudes of college students’ about their vision for the future, she found that both Catholics and Protestants could agree on an EU rule that would neutralize the sectarian conflict.
What she’s doing now: Wendy Williams is an associate Professor of Psychology and Women’s Studies at Berea College. She focuses her research on prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. In the classroom she uses examples that have real-life consequences to explain theories and incorporates service learning projects into her curriculum.

Wendy Williams

Berea College | <a href="https://next.berea.edu/draper-building">Draper</a> 102A | CPO 1956 | Berea, KY 40404 | 859-985-3331

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