Peace & Justice Studies

How We Work

1. We've been activists since the beginning. Knox has many historic involvements with peace and social justice: abolitionism, the muckrakers, and our commitment to educating students of all races, genders, and economic backgrounds. Our nationally lauded Peace Corps Preparatory Program and innovative KnoxCorps reflect our continued leadership in these areas. 
2. We're uniquely equipped to take on controversial issues. From the very start of a Knox education, the First Year Preceptorial teaches students to confront and resolve intellectual and ideological differences through reasoned dialogue. Our Intergroup Dialogue program offers courses that encourage students to explore conflict, rather than minimize it. Discussing conflict and resolution is in our DNA. The peace and justice studies program challenges students to strive for holistic analysis, blending political and sociocultural perspectives as they take on complex issues.
3. We work in the field. We begin with building strong foundations in the methods and practices active in social change, and proceed to apply what we've learned in the classroom to real-world problems. Whether it's an internship, summer work, off-campus study, or other projects, all of our students engaged with an active learning experience.
4. Our curriculum is collaborative. Peace and justice studies brings together professors from economics, political science, gender studies, educational studies, religious studies, history, anthropology, sociology and more—sometimes, even in the space of a single course. It's no surprise that the peace and justice perspective is applicable to everyday practice in a plethora of disciplines. Our students are able to pose questions about agency and justice in the arts, sciences, social sciences, and more.
5. Our alumni are on the front lines of social justice work. Ismat Kittani '51 helped establish the Honor Code as a Knox student and went on to become president of the United Nations. Susan Deller Ross '64 is founder and director of the International Women's Human Rights Clinic and has testified before congress on women's rights issues. Steve Gibson '88 founded the first integrated sexual health services and community center to fight the AIDS crisis in San Francisco. Kirstin Eidenbach '98 founded an organization dedicated to bringing systemic change to Arizona's prison systems. Luella Williams '06 is director of an organization that leverages the power of sports to help young people in underserved communities succeed.