The Peace & Conflict Studies Center at ACC fosters the development of positive conflict transformation skills in students, faculty, and community members. Through its interdisciplinary course offerings across different disciplines, special events, conflict resolution training, and service work, the Center provides opportunities for participants to expand their understanding and engagement with conflict in a variety of ways. 

The Center promotes critical thinking about the individual’s role in their community to envision conflict positively. As John Paul Lederach (2003) explains in The Little Book of Conflict Transformation, this process provides an opportunity “for creating constructive change processes that reduce violence and increase justice.” In other words, conflict transformation involves imagining positive futures arising from complex problems in our societies.

Through avenues of academic study, professional development training, community events, service learning, and travel abroad opportunities, the Peace & Conflict Studies Center maintains its commitment to establishing frameworks for nonviolent conflict transformation at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, local, national, and international levels.

Program Map | Degree Plan

Immerse Yourself

Peace & Conflict Studies Center maintains its commitment to establishing frameworks for nonviolent conflict transformation at the interpersonal, interpersonal, local, national, and international levels.

Peace & Conflict Studies Special Topics Courses

Peace & Conflict Studies offers several special topics courses in a variety of disciplines. These courses are similar to traditional core classes but are PACS-themed. Majors must take at least three (3) of the following special topics courses to complete their AA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Peace & Conflict Studies. These courses are also called PACS Restricted Electives in the degree plan. When registering, please check the course title and/or course notes description to make sure that the section is designated as PACS-themed. While these courses fulfill our degree requirements, we encourage any students interested in Peace & Conflict Studies to sign up.

Course Schedule  |  List of Courses

Liberal Arts (Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences) Area of Study Advisors will help you select your classes, stay on track for your degree program, and make decisions about your educational and career goals. Email or call ahead to schedule an appointment to maximize academic advising.

Find Advisors

Come study with us and become part of our diverse community. We can help you reach your career goals with affordable, hands-on training.

Meet PACS Faculty

As I mentioned to you last semester, my goal in life is to go to law school and be a human rights lawyer. Your class helped me to decide to go on this course and I consider the material I learned in it as valuable as gold for the career path I want to take.

-Unsolicited email from a former student in PACS PSYC 2301: Peace & Conflict Studies

The Center for Peace and Conflict Studies provides opportunities for active engagement in the community through ongoing events, service learning, and international programs. The Center features lectures, panel discussions, a film series, and cultural events that allow students, faculty and staff, and the broader Austin community the opportunity to engage with topics pertaining to social justice, conflict, and sustainable peace.

Center Events Calendar

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