Specialisation

Major - Peace and Development Studies

Western Sydney University Major Code: M1020.1


Related Courses

1667.2 Bachelor of Social Science

Available to students in other Western Sydney University Courses : YES, if the specialisation is available on your Home campus. Please ensure your course structure allows space for enrolment in the units in this unit set. Students must also meet any pre-requisite requirements. Consult your Course Advisor for further advice.


The Peace and Development Studies major is concerned with methods for promoting peace, human rights and sustainability. It involves a critical analysis of inequalities of power and opportunity that lead to international and local conflict, social dislocation and environmental degradation. Students will examine the structural causes of racist and gendered violence, environmental crises, forced migration, poverty, resource conflict, and inter-generational inequity. The inter-related network of solutions includes empowerment and self-determination, sustainable living, constructive development, peace making and peace building. These require understanding of the theories and method for identifying, measuring and resolving conflict and environmental degradation. The assumptions and failings of traditional development practice are critically assessed. Students will engage social theory within an interdisciplinary and applied framework, at local, national and international levels. The major is comprised of three fields: 1) structural inequality, social justice & human rights; 2) development and sustainability; 3) peace and humanitarian responses/actions.


Major Structure

Students must complete 80 credit points as follows

Autumn session

101573 Human Rights, Peace and Development
101331 Issues in World Development: Rich World, Poor World
101574 Marginalisation, Empowerment and Self-Determination
101569 Sustainable Futures

Spring session

101570 Alternatives to Violence
101572 Development and Sustainability
101571 Peace & Development Project
101575 Peace-Making and Peace-Building


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