Plowshares Project
Encyclopedia
The Plowshares Project is a Peace Studies collaborative between Manchester College, Earlham College
and Goshen College
in Indiana
.
. The project defines its mission and goals by the religious ethos of the Church of the Brethren
, the Society of Friends, and the Mennonite Church.
.
, Indiana
, the house serves as a hub for undergraduate students from any US college or university, and in any major, to become directly involved in the fields of peace and justice.
The Peace House provides semester-long residence for students pursuing internships with Indianapolis companies and organizations who are involved or concerned with peace and justice issues. There is also a nine-week summer intensive available for students.
Earlham College
Earlham College is a liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana. It was founded in 1847 by Quakers and has approximately 1,200 students.The president is John David Dawson...
and Goshen College
Goshen College
Goshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, USA with an enrollment of around 1,000 students. The college is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
History
The Plowshares Project was formed in 2002, and is funded by a four-year grant from Eli Lilly and CompanyEli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company. Eli Lilly's global headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States...
. The project defines its mission and goals by the religious ethos of the Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren
The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination originating from the Schwarzenau Brethren organized in 1708 by eight persons led by Alexander Mack, in Schwarzenau, Bad Berleburg, Germany. The Brethren movement began as a melding of Radical Pietist and Anabaptist ideas during the...
, the Society of Friends, and the Mennonite Church.
Purpose
Plowshares was initiated to enrich the Peace Studies programs at Manchester, Earlham, and Goshen colleges. The program facilitates channels of discussion, and seeks to uphold the peacemaking traditions of the colleges' founding churchesPeace churches
Peace churches are Christian churches, groups or communities advocating Christian pacifism. The term historic peace churches refers specifically only to three church groups among pacifist churches: Church of the Brethren, Mennonites including the Amish, and Religious Society of Friends and has...
.
Declared goals
With the Lilly grant, the Plowshares Program intends to:- Further Expand Peace Studies Programs—by creating an international resource for peace studies education, strengthening educators, and offering grants for student research.
- Unification of Peace Studies Courses—through discussion and program development by founding schools.
- Increase Awareness of Peace Studies and Related Issues—by creating a community presence to inform respective communities and nation of happenings and to distinguish Indiana as a strong base for peace studies.
Peace House
The Peace House is the main outlet for community involvement for the Plowshares Project. Located in IndianapolisIndianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, the house serves as a hub for undergraduate students from any US college or university, and in any major, to become directly involved in the fields of peace and justice.
The Peace House provides semester-long residence for students pursuing internships with Indianapolis companies and organizations who are involved or concerned with peace and justice issues. There is also a nine-week summer intensive available for students.
Fall and spring semesters
During the regular semester, students at the Peace House take two Peace Studies courses taught by adjunct faculty. From the Plowshares website:- Introduction to Urban Peace and Justice Issues— combined with an introduction to the city of Indianapolis
- Peacemaking in Practice—focusing on "self-reflection, strategic planning and practical skills for non-violent social change"