PEACE AND JUSTICE
Division of Philosophical, Religious, Theological, Social & Cultural Studies
Richard Anderson, Ph.D., Chair
rick.anderson@loras.edu
563.588.7177
David Cochran and Anastacia McDermott, Program Coordinators
The Peace and Justice minor challenges students to better understand the dynamics of peaceful conflict resolution at the interpersonal, local, national, and international levels, especially within the context of the Catholic tradition. The program is designed to make connections between genuine peace and a just social order, one marked by equality, liberty, dignity, security, civility, and sustainability.
Requirements for minor in Peace and Justice:
Students should contact the program’s co-chairs for details and a list of approved electives.
| Req | Course | Cr’s |
| 1 | L.REL-115: Introduction to Peace and Justice | 3 |
| 2 | Elective: One course from approved list | 3 |
| 3 | Elective: One course from approved list | 3 |
| 4 | Elective: One course from approved list | 3 |
| 5 | Elective: One course from approved list | 3 |
| 6 | Elective: One course from approved list | 3 |
| 7 | Experiential learning component: See co-chairs for options | 1 |
| 19 total required credits | ||
L.REL-115: Introduction to Peace and Justice
This course serves as an introduction to peace and justice studies. It is the foundational course for students intending to minor in Peace and Justice. In this course we will examine the critical concepts, methods, and challenges facing individuals who aspire to help bring peace to persons whose lives are marked by injustice. The course will provide a foundational exploration of social justice concepts, issues, and remedies thereby developing the necessary analytical tools and information to assess injustice and inequality and to suggest changes that need to be made to better these situations. 3 credits.
Approved Elective Courses for Peace and Justice Minor
No more than 6 credits may be taken from any one program
BIO 259: Issues in Environmental Biology
BIO 325: Environmental Issues in Costa Rica
BUS 260: Morals and Money
CHI 262: Global Warming – Fact or Fiction?
CRJ 260: Victimology
CRJ 276: Restorative Justice: A Global Approach to Crime Prevention
CRJ 280: Ethical Considerations in Criminal Justice
ECO 236: Quest for Ethical Development
ECO 254: God, Catholicism & Capitalism
EDU 203: Teaching for Social Justice
EDU 265: Multicultural Education
ENG 225: Literature of Oppression and Resistance
ENG 253: Native Voices, Native Lives
ENG 348: Post Colonial Literature in English
ENG 390: Writing for Social Action
EXP 150: Labor and Catholicism
EXP 273: The Sustainable Community
EXP 488: MLK Interfaith Seminar
HON 135: Jesus and Gandhi
HIS 227: The March for Life
HIS 235: Race & Gender Reform in the United States
HIS 255: US Latin American Relations
HIS 257: Modern Brazilian History and Culture
HIS 333: Imperial Geographies
HIS 385: Arab Israeli Conflict
HIS 456: The Civil Rights Movement
LIB 100: Identity and the Other
LIB 130: Empowered Catholic Women
LIB 130: Social Justice Today
LIB 130: The Displaced Person
PHI 270: Bioethics, Society & Culture
PHI 313: Environmental Ethics
POL 121: Issues in Global Politics
POL 221: International Politics
POL 314: Politics of the Developing World
POL 321: War and Pacifism
POL 322: American Foreign Policy
POL 331: Political Thought & Contemporary Social Issues
POL 351: Comparative Environmental Politics
PSY 190/SCW 225: The Working Poor
PSY 278: Cross Cultural Psychology
PSY 341: Interpersonal Relationships
REL 216: Catholic Church in Latin America
REL 271: Catholic Social Teachings
REL 345: Issues in Christian Ethics
REL 348: Social Justice Practicum
SCW 130: Introduction to Social Welfare
SCW 260: Identity and Alternative Lifestyles
SOC 101: Sociology in Action
SOC 115: Introduction to Sociology
SOC 216: Social Problems
SOC 240: Gender & Society
SOC 254: Race & Ethnicity
SOC 350: Arian Societies
SOC 375: Social Movements
SOC 390: Social Inequality
SPW 247: Colonial Literature of Latin America
SPW 285: Asset Mapping
David Cochran, Ph.D.
Professor of Politics
Director of the Archbishop Kucera Center
563.588.7262 | David.Cochran@loras.edu
Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Dr. Cochran received his B.A. from Drew University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. His primary teaching and research areas are religion, race, and ethnicity in American politics; political thought; war and peace; and Irish studies. Cochran is a winner of the college’s two campus-wide teaching and leadership awards. In addition to a wide array of articles and book chapters, he is the author or co-author of four books and the co-editor of a fifth. In addition to his work in the Politics Program, Cochran directs the college’s Archbishop Kucera Center for Catholic Intellectual and Spiritual Life.
Stacia McDermott
Director Spiritual Life and Peace and Justice
563.588.7056 | anastacia.mcdermott@loras.edu
Stacia grew up in the suburbs of Chicago before attending Loras College, earning her undergraduate degree in social work. After graduation, Stacia did the post-graduate service program, Holy Cross Associates in Colorado Springs, working at an interfaith organization that helped meet people’s basic needs. Upon completion of the program she spent a year living at Hope House Catholic Worker in Dubuque. After getting married to her college sweetheart, Stacia spent five years working at St. Anthony’s parish as the Youth Formation Coordinator and writing curriculum for various faith-based websites including the Center for Ministry Development and Vibrant Faith. Stacia returned to Loras in 2012 to direct the Fr. Ray Herman Peace and Justice Center and started the Loras College Peace Institute in 2017, which is a summer camp-like experience for high school youth. She serves on the board of Children of Abraham, an interfaith group in Dubuque and loves being with her husband, three children, acting in a local theater troupe, spending time in nature, and frequenting local coffee shops.