Foundations of Peace Education
In this course, we will investigate the concept of a "culture of peace" as defined by the United Nations in 1998: “A set of values, attitudes, modes of behavior and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations.” Our focus questions will be: What do we know about the root causes of conflict? What knowledge and skills are required to become skilled negotiators and mediators capable of bringing about a culture of peace? What role can schools play in fostering a culture of peace given the extensive literature that argues that the current institutional structure of schools fosters apathy and fear-conditions unlikely to foster a culture of peace?