Peace and World Security Studies

The Hampshire-based Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies (PAWSS) is a multidisciplinary educational program designed to stimulate student and faculty interest in the study of critical international issues, especially those connecting issues of conflict and the environment.

Pursuing the study of peace and world security studies at Hampshire can allow for a wide range of self-designed concentrations—for example, an analysis of the relationship between militarization, economic development, and human rights in a particular region, or an investigation into traditional and innovative strategies for peacemaking and conflict resolution.

PAWSS is a highly diversified program entailing the development of new courses, the sponsorship of public lectures and symposia, and the publication of specialized resource materials.

• Atomic History: Hiroshima to Iran
• America & the World: The Global Debate over U.S. Hegemony
• The Anthropology of Human Rights
• The Art of War & Peace
• Atomic History: Hiroshima to Iran
• Biopower, Biopolitics & Bare Life
• Draft Resisters & Warriors: the Social Construction of Military Service
• Evolution of International Regimes: From the League of Nations to Kyoto
• Global Resource Politics
• Identity & Politics
• Interrogating Fear: Bioterror, the Environment & the Construction of Threats
• Israel & Palestine: the Clash of Nationalisms
• The National Security State: Secrecy & Covert Operations in American Foreign Policy from the Cold War to the Present
• Political Islam in Comparative & Theoretical Perspective
• Political Research & Writing
• Poverty & Wealth
• International Organizations (SC)
• Oil & Water Don’t Mix: Geopolitics, Energy & the Environment (MHC)
• The Prevention of Violence and Creation of Peace (UMass)
• Punishment, Politics & Culture (AC)
• Resource Policy & Planning (UMass)
• Seminar in International Relations & Comparative Politics (SC)
• Seminar in War & Peace (AC)
• The U.S., Israel & the Arabs (MHC)

Requirements

• Common Application
• An academic paper in English
• Supplemental essay responses
• Current transcripts
• School report, including guidance counselor recommendation
• At least one letter of recommendation from a teacher
• Certification of Finances form
• TOEFL or IELTS score (Minimum TOEFL score of 91 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Predicted grades for IB English A1 or A2, or for A-level English, will also be considered.
• Additional letters of recommendation, up to three

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

• MacArthur Foundation Grant Making Programs
• American Association of University Women
• Fulbright International Scholarship Program for non-US students