Curriculum Overview

Peace and war are among the oldest dreams and most difficult challenges of human experience. The Curriculum brings together faculty and courses from many disciplines to provide undergraduates with a wide range of approaches to the fundamental issues of human conflict and national and global security and defense.

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 42/Pwad 68), Peace and War (Hist 89/Pwad 78), and Introduction of Peace, War, and Defense (Pwad 50). 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.

Because so much peace and war involves nations and societies outside the United States, the Curriculum encourages every major to study abroad. Several foreign universities with whom UNC has exchange agreements have courses and programs in peace, war, conflict, strategic, and security studies that can count toward major and other requirements for graduation from the College. Students can choose from a variety of options, including summer, semester-long or year-long programs, internships, and seminars with UNC faculty. Majors and prospective majors should consult the UNC Study Abroad website , the Curriculum chair, and the staff at the Study Abroad offices in the Porthole Building on campus.

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, Dr. Richard H. Kohn, as soon as they become interested. and visit our website as soon as they become interested.

Honors Program

Majors who earn at least a 3.2 overall grade point average and at least a 3.2 grade point average in the major through their junior year may on application to the Chair of the Curriculum enroll in PWAD 91-92 (Honors in Peace, War, and Defense). Students interested in honors should take one HIST 90 seminar by the end of the junior year to prepare for writing an honors thesis. Students prepare an honors thesis in PWAD 91 and 92 and defend it orally. Based on faculty evaluation, the baccalaureate degree may be conferred with honors, or with highest honors.

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