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International Conflict & Peace Studies

The International Conflict & Peace Studies major examines the causes, dynamics, and resolutions of conflicts between nations, communities, and political groups. It explores theories of war, diplomacy, negotiation, and peacebuilding, analyzing historical and contemporary case studies to understand patterns of violence and cooperation. Students use this knowledge to develop strategies for conflict prevention, reconciliation, and sustainable peace, shaping policies and interventions that promote global stability.

Factors internal to the regions of the world undergoing development are studied, as is the influence of international economic and political forces and institutions.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree are required to complete a minimum of two years of foreign language study in a language appropriate to the chosen specialization. Ohio State currently offers courses in Arabic, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Modern Greek, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Quechua, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Turkish, and Uzbek.

To learn more about major requirements, check out the links below. Requirements and course offerings do change, so if you have any questions please reach out to internationalstudies@osu.edu or contact your academic advisor.

International Conflict & Peace Studies Major Requirements

Bachelor of Arts

Foreign Language Requirement

This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options: 

  • Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
  • Complete a foreign language minor
  • Complete a second major in a language

For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Modern Greek, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Quechua, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Turkish, and Uzbek. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course at the 2000 level.

Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing (AW), Data Analysis (DA) and Technology (TECH). These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below. 

Required Foundations: 2 courses (6 hours)

  • INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization
  • INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW)

Methods & Analysis: Choose one course (3 hours)

  • Geography 4103 -  Introductory Spatial Data Analysis (DA)
  • INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data (DA)
  • Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization  (DA)
  • Sociology 5650 - Presenting & Communicating Quantitative Data  (DA)

Primary Specialization & Secondary Specialization

If International Conflict & Peace Studies is your Primary Specialization, choose five courses (15 hours).  You will choose an additional 3 courses (9 hours) for your Secondary Specialization.
If International Conflict & Peace Studies is your Secondary Specialization, choose three courses (9 hours).

  • AGRCOMM 5150 - Communication for Change & Development
  • COMM 3330 - Communication & Conflict Management
  • COMM 3554 - Social Implications of Communication Technology (TECH)
  • INTSTDS 2800 - Introduction to Peace Studies
  • INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in Information Technology (TECH)
  • INTSTDS 4701 - Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction (TECH)
  • INTSTDS 4801 - Model United Nations
  • INTSTDS 4803 - Intervening for Peace: Peacekeeping & Collective Security
  • POLITSC 3460 - Global Justice
  • POLITSC 4320 - Strategies for War & Peace
  • POLITSC 4331 - The U.N. System
  • POLITSC 4455 - Human Rights
  • PUBAFRS 2150 - Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
  • PUBAFRS 3140 - Nonprofit Management & Governance
  • SOCIOL 3302 - Technology & Global Society (TECH)
  • SOCIOL 3463 - Social Stratification: Race, Class & Gender
  • SOCIOL 4666 - Power & Society

Bachelor of Science

Foreign Language Requirement

This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options: 

  • Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
  • Complete a foreign language minor
  • Complete a second major in a language

For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Modern Greek, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Quechua, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Turkish, and Uzbek. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course at the 2000 level.

Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)

Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing (AW), and Technology (TECH), and complete a 3- course sequence in Data Analysis (DA).  These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below. 

Required Foundations: 2 courses (6 hours)

  • INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization
  • INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW)

Data Analysis: 3 courses (9 hours), Choose 1 3-course sequence)

  • Series 1
    • Geography 4103 - Introductory Spatial Data Analysis
    • Geography 5103 - Intermediate Spatial Data Analysis
    • Geography 5210 - Fundamentals of Geographic Information System
  • Series 2
    • INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data or Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization
    • Political Science 4781- Data Literacy in Political Science I
    • Political Science 4782 - Data Literacy in Political Science II
  • Series 3
    • Statistics 2450.01 or 2450.02 Introduction to Statistical Analysis I
    • Statistics 3301 - Statistical Modeling for Discovery I
    • Statistics 3302 - Statistical Modeling for Discovery II

Specialization: Choose 6 courses (18 hours)

  • AGRCOMM 5150 - Communication for Change & Development
  • COMM 3330 - Communication & Conflict Management
  • COMM 3554 - Social Implications of Communication Technology (TECH)
  • INTSTDS 2800 - Introduction to Peace Studies
  • INTSTDS/GEOG 3650 - A World Divided? Place, Space, and Regions in World Affairs
  • INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in Information Technology (TECH)
  • INTSTDS 4701 - The Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction (TECH)
  • INTSTDS 4801 - Model United Nations
  • INTSTDS 4803 - Intervening for Peace: Peacekeeping & Collective Security
  • POLITSC 3460 - Global Justice
  • POLITSC 4320 - Strategies for War & Peace
  • POLITSC 4331 - The U.N. System
  • POLITSC 4455 - Human Rights
  • PUBAFRS 2150 - Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
  • PUBAFRS 3140 - Nonprofit Management & Governance
  • SOCIOL 2463 - Social Stratification: Race, Class & Gender
  • SOCIOL 3302 - Technology & Global Society (TECH)
  • SOCIOL 4666 - Power & Society