Curriculum Overview

Recently revised to reflect changes in world affairs and the academic strengths of the University, the Curriculum introduces majors to interdisciplinary perspectives with a core of three courses: "The Ethics of Peace, War, and Defense" (Phil 272/Pwad 272), "Global History of Warfare" (Hist 351/Pwad 351), and "National and International Security" (Pwad 350). A flexible program of electives permits majors then to concentrate in one of three topical areas: The Culture of Peace and War; National and International Defense and Security; and The Evolution of Warfare. In addition to course work, the Curriculum sponsors guest speakers and field trips, and provides majors with help and advice on internships and career planning. 

The Curriculum encourages all undergraduates to study abroad, either for a summer, semester, or entire year.  Students should consult the study abroad website at http://study-abroad.unc.edu and visit that office as early as possible in their course of study to meet with a study abroad advisor.  There are a number of foreign programs that contain courses that qualify for major credit.  Of particular usefulness is study at the King's College, University of London War Studies Department, the closest analogue to Peace, War, and Defense in the English speaking world and a program with a renowned faculty.  Students with at least a 3.3 grade point average are eligible to apply to King's.  While supervision arrangements do need to be negotiated and agreed with relevant faculty at King's College, students writring honors theses in their senior year may also apply to spend the year at King's.

The Curriculum prepares majors for graduate work in several of the humanities and social sciences, for a variety of professional schools, and for a wide range of employment. Graduates have found employment with federal agencies, state and local governments, banks, and other businesses. Others have attended graduate and professional schools in government, history, international relations, and law. The strength of the Curriculum is its broad, interdisciplinary perspective combined with its depth of focus on topics that span the range of human experience across time and national boundaries, from science and technology to ethics and public policy. The Curriculum's offices are on the fourth floor of Hamilton Hall, where visitors and members of the university community are always welcome. Prospective majors should visit the chair of the Curriculum, Wayne Lee, as soon as they become interested.

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