About Peace and Conflict Studies

Mission Statement

The mission of Peace and Conflict Studies is to explore the exciting frontiers of nonviolent alternatives to conflict. The primary goal of the program is to develop students’ competencies in fields contributing towards peace and social transformation, from the interpersonal to the global level.

Issues Studied

• War
• Sexism
• Racism
• Poverty
• Non-violent initiatives for social change
• Conflict resolution

Director

Patrick J. Ashton

Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
Director of Peace and Conflict Studies

• Office: Liberal Arts Building, Room 235
• Phone: 260-481-6669
• Fax: 260-481-0474
• E-mail: ashton@ipfw.edu
• Web site

Education and Certifications

• B.A. in Sociology, with distinction: Oakland University, 1972
• M.A. in Sociology: Michigan State University, 1975
  • Thesis: “Toward a Political Economy of Metropolitan Areas.”
• Ph.D. in Sociology: Michigan State University, 1981
  • Dissertation: “Race, Class, and Black Politics: The Implications of the Election of a Black Mayor for the Police and Policing in Detroit.”
• Certification in College Teaching: Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, 1977
• Certificate in community mediation: 1994
• Certificate in mediation training: 1995

• Practitioner/Educator certification: Association for Conflict Resolution, 2001

Staff

Holly McDonald-Lara

Program Assistant

• Office: Liberal Arts Building, Room 153
• Phone: 260-481-6019
• E-mail: larah@ipfw.edu