students in action
graduates at work
The latest issue of EMU’s Peacebuilder magazine focuses on the 50 Afghanistan and Pakistan students who have come through EMU’s graduate-level peacebuilding programsin the field
Emily Derstine, Maria Bowman and Amanda Styer, students in the current peace studies program, represented EMU at the 2009 Philadelphia Peace Conference. Real-world experiences away from college help students hone their skills.
Peacebuilding majors take part in a seminar on trauma healing with Elaine Zook Barge of EMU’s world-renown Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.
Peacebuilding and Development Major
Peacebuilding and sustainability are both already a big part of life and conversation here on all levels. Come study with professors who practice what they preach.
A major in peacebuilding and development consists of 45-48 SH. See the
Understanding social change
This major provides the foundation of an Anabaptist-influenced framework for understanding social justice and intentional social change within the context of peacebuilding and development. Through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and development of skills, the major prepares students for professional employment (practice) in social justice and social change. The major is designed to prepare students for work in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, international development, community development, or related fields. It will also provide specific preparation for graduate study in these or related areas. This major equips students to become effective practitioners of change by providing the theoretical models and frameworks necessary for understanding intentional social change by teaching specific skills, tools and techniques to help create a more peaceful and just society.
Careers
Careers in peacebuilding and development include international and community development, mediation and conflict transformation/resolution, peace and justice advocacy, community and collaborative peacebuilding, program evaluation, city and regional planning, peace education, social services, research, law and social and public policy advocacy.
Learning on the job
Internships or practicums happen every semester for students in the peacebuilding field. Required practicums give students on-the-job training and enforce classroom skills like mediation, conflict analysis, program evaluation, group facilitation, community assessment, and organization of campus and community events. Professors help each student develop a portfolio with significant skills for the field and life after college; when they graduate, students show employers immediate value and experience.
Practicum examples include Faith and Politics Institute, Africa Action, Amnesty International and Multi-Door Dispute Resolution in Washington, D.C., and the Community Mediation Center and Habitat for Humanity in Harrisonburg.
Resources on campus
Faculty in a variety of programs have worked and served internationally promoting development and environmental sustainability. Examples are nursing’s Ann Hershberger, Bible and religion’s Peter Dula, business and economics’ Jim Leaman and Chris Gingrich, and environmental studies’ Doug Graber Neufeld.
Our graduate program in peacebuilding is also an asset to any undergrad in this field; dozens of grad-level international scholars flock to EMU each year to study at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP). Lisa Schirch, professor of peacebuilding, is the program director of the 3D Security Initiative, which promotes conflict prevention and peacebuilding in U.S. security policymaking.