Ph.D. in Peace Studies
The Ph.D. program at the Kroc Institute empowers students to become outstanding scholars and teachers who contribute to a growing body of peacebuilding knowledge and practice with the goal of addressing violence and alleviating human suffering.
Peace studies Ph.D. students entering the program have formal training and/or a degree in one of six partner disciplines for research and course work: anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, or theology. The peace studies curriculum is integrated with these traditional disciplines in the humanities and social sciences to create a unique framework of study for each student. Students also have access to extensive research opportunities at the Institute and across Notre Dame.
Upon graduation, students are fully trained and equipped for a wide variety of scholarly, teaching, and professional careers, including:
- Interdisciplinary academic positions;
- Positions requiring expertise in the peace and conflict subfields of anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, or theology; and
- Scholar-practitioner roles in intergovernmental, governmental, or nongovernmental organizations.
All admitted students receive a full tuition scholarship, generous stipend (Cost-of-living in South Bend), health insurance, and additional funding for conference travel and research activities.
Current Notre Dame graduate students pursuing a terminal master’s or doctoral degree are invited to complete a Graduate Minor in Peace Studies.
Contact: krocphd@nd.edu
Peace Studies and Anthropology
What are the cultural, social, and historical contextual dimensions of structural and violent conflict? How does an ethnographic focus create the possibility for better crafting conflict transformation? The Peace Studies and Anthropology doctoral program at the University of Notre Dame equips students with the theoretical and methodological tools of anthropology to answer these and related questions.
Peace Studies and History
What are the historical or root causes of violent conflict? How have various social movements evolved over time? In what way is history manipulated for the sake of attaining political goals? How is foreign policy informed by historical information or knowledge? The Peace Studies and History doctoral program at the University of Notre Dame equips students with the analytical and conceptual tools of history to address these questions and related questions of peace and conflict.
Peace Studies and Political Science
What are the sources of violent political conflict? What institutions, strategies and tools are available to secure peace and justice? How can international and domestic actors foster peace, and what are the roles of norms, values and beliefs in continued peace efforts? The Peace Studies and Political Science doctoral program at the University of Notre Dame provides students with the theoretical and methodological tools of political science to answer these and related questions.
Peace Studies and Psychology
How and why does political violence affect individuals, especially young people? What are the implications for the continuation or mitigation of violent conflict? The Peace Studies and Psychology doctoral program at the University of Notre Dame equips students with the theoretical lens and methodological tools of psychology to answer these and related questions. The integration of interdisciplinary peace research methods ensures practical applications for policymakers and for individuals in war, violent conflict, and post-war settings.
Peace Studies and Sociology
How does the structure of society influence conflict or post-conflict peacebuilding? What variables affect the capacity of nonviolent civil resistance movements? How do religious norms and practices contribute to conflict and peacebuilding?
The Peace Studies and Sociology doctoral program at the University of Notre Dame provides its students with the theoretical background and methodological tools to answer these and related questions. The doctoral program provides rigorous training in both sociology and peace studies.
Peace Studies and Theology
How do theological thought and practice shape violent conflict? What is the relationship between theological thought, practice and peacebuilding? What do sacred scripture, ethics, liturgy, history and systematic theology contribute to peace and conflict in theory and practice?
The Peace Studies and Theology doctoral program at the University of Notre Dame equips students with frameworks and methodologies to help them think theologically about peace and conflict.
Contact
Caroline Hughes
Director of Doctoral Studies
Kathryn Sawyer Vidrine
Assistant Director for Doctoral Studies