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Peace, War, and Defense

Political Science students act as the U.S. government in a simulation of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

study the age-old question of why humans fight and what we can do to make peace

The Curriculum in Peace, War, and Defense (PWAD) offers students the tools to understand and analyze the complexities of conflict, security, and cooperation on a global scale. PWAD combines studies from history, political science, public policy, philosophy, and more to study the age-old question of why humans fight and what humans can do to make peace and resolve their differences. Whether you’re passionate about diplomacy, strategy, or justice, the study of PWAD provides a foundation to explore the world’s most pressing issues. Graduates of the PWAD program often find themselves going to work in various jobs in national security, such as the CIA, the State Department, or other positions in the Department of Defense or the intelligence community. In this two-day program, students will learn about the Curriculum, attend multiple lectures, participate in interactive simulations, and meet some of the Curriculum’s faculty.

Instructor: Stephen Gent

Professor Stephen Gent is the chair of the Curriculum in Peace, War, and Defense (PWAD) at UNC-Chapel Hill. As a professor in both PWAD and Political Science, he teaches courses on international relations and political methodology. Prof. Gent grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi, and went to college at the University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”). As an undergraduate, he majored in political science and Spanish. He then went to graduate school at the University of Rochester in upstate New York, where he received his PhD in political science before coming to Carolina in 2005. Prof. Gent’s research explores the dynamics of international conflict and cooperation, focusing on topics like military intervention and conflict mediation. His award-winning book with Professor Mark Crescenzi, Market Power Politics: War, Institutions and Strategic Delay in World Politics, investigates how economic competition drives territorial conflict between countries. They are currently working on a follow-up book on the international politics of critical minerals. Prof. Gent lives in Durham, and when he’s not working, he enjoys watching movies, reading, and traveling.