AUR’s M.A. program in Peace Studies: Religions in Times of Conflict addresses the critical societal need of promoting the resolution of conflicts, intercultural, and inter-religious dialogue. The mission of the program is to educate future professionals, scholars, and activists who will be able to contribute to peace-building initiatives and conflict management.

What causes conflicts and what contributes to peace? How can we understand the ever-changing landscape of global crises and tensions? How do the research and study of particular religious traditions and social and political ideas and institutions contribute to conflict resolution, promotion of peace, religious and cultural diversity, cross-cultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation in our increasingly interconnected world?

Tensions, conflicts and crises are an ever-present reality in today's world, in some cases threatening both local and global societies. To try to reverse the course of these processes is not a simple task. Scholars and professionals who understand the sources and significance of the complex processes involved are vital in helping to address these challenges.

Program detail

The 15-month M.A. program consists of 10 core courses held on campus over two semesters, followed by a thesis.

Why study Peace Studies in Rome?

One cannot emphasize enough the strength that our location gives to this program. Rome and the Mediterranean, with their historical significance and prominence in contemporary international affairs and conflicts, are central to the program. The proximity of other centers and areas relevant to contemporary global affairs in peace and conflict – the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe – is an additional advantage to our location.

Furthermore, Rome is home to a diverse range of multinational political, humanitarian, religious and research institutions. The city is not only the center of Roman Catholicism: it has a vibrant religious landscape, with historically important Jewish, Protestant and Islamic communities. As such, students have the opportunity to engage with the topics that this discipline exposes them to in the classroom in their daily life in Rome.

Program objectives

The mission of the program is to educate postgraduate students in both the theory and practice of understanding and resolving conflicts. The curriculum provides students with a distinct perspective vis-à-vis international conflicts and peacemaking by fostering an in-depth understanding of religion and religious institutions in relation to world conflicts. This course of study also promotes cultural sensitivity and enables students to understand diverse perspectives and narratives as important elements in the causes of conflict and the various approaches employed in the pursuit of peace.

Outcomes

Upon completing the Master’s program in Peace Studies, students will be able to:

• Analyze how religions and religious institutions contribute to modern societies and to the attempts to overcome contemporary challenges such as religious fundamentalism, ecological/economic/humanitarian crises, immigration, and intolerance

• Discuss the historical and contemporary involvements of religion in various forms of political culture

• Demonstrate high-level knowledge and understanding of religious traditions relevant to Rome, Italy and the Mediterranean, and to analyze the cultures and social and political systems under their influence

• Demonstrate high-level skills in inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, negotiation, diplomacy, conflict resolution and crisis management.

After graduating: Potential careers

• Prospective PhD students and independent researchers in the field of Peace and Religious Studies.

• Conflict resolution and intercultural dialogue professionals

• Program coordinators of religious organizations and other NGOs with focuses on religion and society

• Journalists/reporters on religion, religious and political conflicts

• Professionals engaged in the prevention of religious fundamentalism and religion-based social conflicts

• Work in international organizations

• Professionals and scholars in the field of international affairs

• Public policy makers and other public offices that require knowledge of religious issues

• A diplomatic career in the countries where religion and religious institutions play an important role in politics and society