Global Peace and Social Justice
Since our founding, the Global Peace and Social Justice (formerly Peace Studies) program has endeavoured to educate students and the wider community about past and ongoing injustices and how to recognize systemic violence. The program has also worked to equip students with the tools to challenge and transform a system that allows injustice to continue.
Global Peace and Social Justice seeks to create informed and active citizens attentive to issues of inclusion and diversity and equipped with the knowledge, skills and values essential to the building of a world where conflict is addressed and justice and equity are promoted. The program’s core courses introduce the concepts, skills and values of Global Peace and Social Justice and shape students’ capacities through applied courses focused on inquiry and research. These capacities are expanded through relevant courses from History, Philosophy, English and Cultural Studies, Communication Studies and Multimedia, Women’s Studies, Indigenous Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Labour Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies and Social Work.
McMaster’s program puts particular emphasis on nonviolence as an overarching value and practice area. It has developed expertise on health as an arena for practical peace building, which it shares with students in the program. Students are oriented to apply their knowledge through experiential learning, and to think about social action through a critical and responsible lens. Classes encourage problem-based and inquiry learning processes in small groups.
Undergraduate students choose from an interdisciplinary selection of courses to complete either a Combined Honours BA in Global Peace and Social Justice or a Minor in Global Peace and Social Justice.
Global Peace and Social Justice Course Substitution
To replace courses in your Global Peace and Social Justice degree audit (towards your Combined Honours in Global Peace and Social Justice ) with an alternate course, please fill out a Global Peace and Social Justice Course Substitution Form and send to gpsj@mcmaster.ca.
NOTE: All courses listed in the calendar are not always offered every year.
About First Year
Students entering into the Faculty of Humanities in their first year take a general program. This allows students to explore various options and experience a wide range of courses. At the end of the first year, students can then choose to major in a Global Peace and Social Justice program.
A Humanities degree’s value is in its multi-disciplinary approach. It opens your eyes to perspectives beyond your immediate field and challenges you to think critically.
Programs (by Degree) and Minors
Program Information
Current Course Offerings
View our currently available courses.
Undergraduate Course Outlines
View your course outline including assignment due dates, assessments and more.
Global Peace and Social Justice Course Calendar
The course calendar is an essential resource for choosing your courses.
Global Peace and Social Justice Awards & Scholarships
Awards available to exclusively Global Peace and Social Justice Students
Upcoming Courses
Discover courses coming up in the next semester.
Study Abroad
Learn more about study abroad opportunities to enhance your Global Peace and Social Justice experience.
Practicum Placements
Placements offer an exploration of service, entrepreneurship and other modes of engagement with practical peace building through workplace experience.
Where can a degree in Global Peace and Social Justice take you?
Find out how a degree in Global Peace and Social Justice can help you further your career and educational goals.
Find a Humanities Expert
Research-focused and student-centered. Humanities researchers promote interdisciplinary approaches to local and global leadership. Learn more about our researchers by searching by name or keyword.