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Social and Cultural Analysis (Peace Studies), BA

Build skills in negotiation, collaboration, dialogue, critical thinking and conflict management. Graduates pursue human rights advocacy, public policy, conflict resolution, community development, nonprofit leadership and international affairs.

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Students discuss ideas outdoors, examining conflict and cooperation in ASU's Social and Cultural Analysis (Peace Studies), BA program.

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: General program math intensity general
First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
or any math course that meets the MATH designation
View more details

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Degree description

Social and Cultural Analysis (Peace Studies) degree description

The Bachelor of Arts program in social and cultural analysis with a concentration in peace studies is a distinct, transdisciplinary offering that fosters a critical investigation of peace. It does so primarily, but not exclusively, through a humanities lens, and it provides an analysis of peace in connection with issues such as gender, ethnicity, race and religion.

Students learn many perspectives on peace and approaches to it, including theories and practices of peace-building, nonviolence, and conflict avoidance and resolution. The program builds on the expertise of faculty in the humanities and social sciences in fields such as history, linguistics, literature, ethics, philosophy, sociology, ethnic studies, and women and gender studies.

Why specialize in peace studies at ASU?

At ASU's New College, you develop a multidisciplinary understanding of conflict alongside practical skills to spark positive change across communities, organizations and societies, both locally and globally.

Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
AMS 201 Introduction to American Studies
HRC 200 Introduction to Social and Cultural Analysis
HRC 310 Social and Cultural Analysis: Method and Theory
HRC 480 Capstone: Practices and Approaches
AMS 276 U.S. Women's Movements
ASB 339 Grassroots Social Movements

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

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Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:


Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global experience

Studying abroad enables students in the social and cultural analysis program to observe the impacts of peace and war on cultures and communities across the globe. Students deepen their understanding of global peace through exploration of the impact of culture, race, religion and law on peace-building.

With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Students in these programs build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships around the world, increasing their professional network. Participation in a study abroad program provides students with the heightened cultural competency and strengthened leadership and critical thinking skills that enhance their resumes and help them stand out in a competitive career field. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences can explore how their varied fields and interests interact in different settings around the world.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Build the career and future you want

Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Career opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
Communication Professor 2.1% $78,580
Cultural Studies Professor 2.7% $85,020
Editor -1.1% $77,920
Lawyer 4.7% $159,670
Mediator 4.7% $75,530
News Reporter -5.9% $62,200
Political Analyst -2.0% $142,080
Political Science Professor 2.5% $98,070
Politician Not available Not available

Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


More about careers

Careers this peace studies concentration prepares you for

Social and political institutions are increasingly focused on peace-building. As a consequence, numerous jobs now exist in peace-related sectors. The program's emphasis on the social aspects of peace, diversity and identity provides graduates with an awareness of the needs of diverse populations and the discourses that help create a culture of peace.

Graduates have the skills and knowledge necessary for graduate work and for professional and personal advancement in education, writing, policy, law, cross-cultural communication and ethics. Their knowledge can be applied in careers in government, education, business and nonprofit organizations and in areas as diverse as:

  • civil rights organizations
  • colleges and universities
  • government agencies
  • libraries
  • museums
  • nonprofit organizations
  • the Peace Corps
  • political action groups
  • research organizations
  • social service agencies

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies | FAB N101
HARCSadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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