CERTIFICATE IN STORY, TRAUMA & PEACEBUILDING

Certificate in
Story, Trauma & Peacebuilding

PROGRAMS / PEACE & JUSTICE

Holding space for addressing trauma, grief, and story in peacebuilding.

At St. Stephen's University, we recognize that the elements of trauma (and our individual and collective healing from this trauma), grief, and story are important to consider together in the world of peacebuilding. These are foundational ingredients of all conflicts and their potential transformation and elements that every serious peacebuilder should have a solid grounding in.

This certificate is for peacebuilders who desire a better understanding of the relationship between collective memory and political conflict in contexts around the world and the effects of colonial wounding and trauma for the individual, community, and culture, including ways in which healing is possible and how to encourage this healing. The more practical courses in program planning for peacebuilding (workshop) and skills and approaches of peace activism will provide applied outlets for engaging the connection between trauma and story.

This Certificate program is also a good way to get your feet wet while leaving the door open for further studies through our M.A. in Peace & Justice, Master of Peace & Justice (practice-based, non-thesis), or M.T.S. in Peace & Justice for qualifying students.

Course Sequencing

The successful completion of the Certificate in Story, Trauma & Peacebuilding requires a total of 12 credit hours. Students therefore need to complete the four hybrid courses that form the annual Peace & Justice spring residency, plus a fieldwork course for practical experience, which can be completed locally or overseas (click here for more info).

The delivery methods of the four hybrid courses include readings and online sessions, a short 10-day in-person residency with intensive teaching, and assignments that students complete after the residency when they return home.

SCHEDULE:

1. Readings and infrequent online sessions with your professors.

JAN. – APR.

3. Students return home and complete assignments

MAY – JULY

TEN DAYS IN APR. / MAY

2. In-person residency on campus at SSU with intensive teaching.

AUGUST

4. Fieldwork course to gain practical experience

PJST 6090

Peace & Justice Fieldwork (3 c/h)

DR. ANDREW PHILLIP KLAGER / DR. LAURENS VAN ESCH

THE CertSTP AT A GLANCE

DURATION — 8 MONTHS – 1 YEAR (FULL TIME)

CREDIT HOURS — 12

DELIVERY MODE — READINGS, ONLINE ENGAGEMENT, SHORT 10-DAY RESIDENCY, FIELDWORK

EMPHASES — TRAUMA AND HEALING, GRIEF, STORY, CULTURAL MEMORY, COMMEMORATION, INNER TRANSFORMATION, PEACE ACTIVISM, PEACEBUILDING

COURSES:

PJST 6647

PJST 6670

PJST 6577

PJST 6584

Trauma Healing and the Inner Transformation of a Peacemaker (2 c/h)

DR. WALTER THIESSEN

Story, Memory, and Commemoration for Peace and Justice (2 c/h)

DR. LAURENS VAN ESCH

'Truth to Power': Approaches and Skills of Peace Activism (2 c/h)

DR. LAURENS VAN ESCH

Program Planning for Peacebuilding Workshop (3 c/h)

DR. EMILY STANTON

Course Descriptions

STORY, MEMORY, AND COMMEMORATION FOR PEACE & JUSTICE | DR. LAURENS VAN ESCH | 2 CREDIT HOURS

This course will explore the relation between collective memory and political conflict as it manifests itself in contexts around the world. Students are introduced to a conceptual framework that is drawn from cultural memory studies, political philosophy and cultural anthropology, that aims to equip them to critically and creatively reflect upon the connections between identity, collective memory and conflict. Moreover, through various assignments, they will also be encouraged to familiarize themselves with the work of authors, artists and ‘memory activists’ who aim to contribute towards peace, justice and reconciliation by means of alternative approaches to the past.

TRAUMA HEALING & THE INNER TRANSFORMATION OF A PEACEMAKER | DR. WALTER THIESSEN | 2 CREDIT HOURS

This course explores the connections between woundedness, healing and our capacity to be present and engaged in the work of peacemaking. It will survey a broad range of what might be referred to as “trauma” and its relevance to the perpetuation of violence or the emergence of nonviolent alternatives.

TRUTH TO POWER: APPROACHES & SKILLS OF PEACE ACTIVISM | DR. LAURENS VAN ESCH | 2 CREDIT HOURS

This course surveys dispositions, skills, tactics and strategies that enable activists to work towards peace and justice in ways that are effective as well as nonviolent, compassionate and grounded. Through an engagement with the insights and best practices of scholars and practitioners from around the world, students are equipped to promote peace and justice without losing themselves in anger, hate or despair.

PROGRAM PLANNING FOR PEACEBUILDING WORKSHOP | DR. EMILY STANTON | 3 CREDIT HOUR

SEMESTER 1

Recognising that conflicts can be dynamic, complex and multi-faceted, this course aims to develop practical skills and introduce conceptual frameworks to support practitioners as they consider ‘what to do’ when addressing live conflict situations. Using a range of methodologies and conflict lenses, students will develop an understanding and an analysis of the relationships, levels and systems to be considered when planning interventions that seek to build sustainable peace and transform conflict.

PEACE & JUSTICE FIELDWORK | DR. ANDREW PHILLIP KLAGER & DR. LAURENS VAN ESCH | 3 CREDIT HOURS

This fieldwork course gives peace & justice students an opportunity to participate in efforts directed at addressing issues related to peace and justice from a variety of angles. Students will identify and coordinate work, co-op, internship, or volunteer opportunities with organizations that are working to address peace and justice issues that may be local and/or global in scope. Students will also read about the situation they are engaging themselves in, record reflections during their experience, and submit a final report on key areas of the experience. The fieldwork experience should normally be approximately 80 hours in length to receive 3 credits, with the amount of supplementary coursework adjusted commensurate with the number of hours below or above 80 hours.

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