Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies Major

About

Peace isn’t a niche interest at Goshen College—it’s a shared passion. Peace is central to our identity, which is apparent in our curriculum, our history and our core values. The peace, justice and conflict studies (PJCS) program pulls together and gives full expression to the many strands of peace that permeate campus culture.

As a PJCS student, you’ll study subjects like restorative justice, social change and war and peace in the modern world. And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your beliefs into action through a range of internship options. Some are local, with organizations like La Casa (working with low income families) in Goshen and the Center for Community Justice in Elkhart, and some are across North America, with agencies like Mennonite Central Committee or a summer internship with the Service Inquiry Program. Some students find a way to do international internships as well.

What can you do after college with a PJCS major? Anything that requires the ability to analyze complex problems, come up with creative solutions, be an effective organizer and transform destructive conflict in positive directions. As a graduate of the PJCS program, you’ll have top-notch preparation for your future career as a social worker, teacher, lawyer, mediator or peace worker for a service or mission organization.

Ann Hostetler to give C. Henry Smith peace lecture about Amish shunning

March 16, 2017

Ann Hostetler, Goshen College professor of English, will present the 2017 C. Henry Smith Peace Lecture on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Goshen College Administration Building Room 28. Hostetler’s speech is titled “Conflict and Creativity: Shunning and Its Legacy in Amish and Mennonite Communities.” The lecture is free and open to the public.

Yazan Meqbil, Palestinian sophomore, wins annual peace oratorical contest

February 24, 2017

Yazan Meqbil, a sophomore molecular biology/biochemistry major from Hebron, Palestine, won the top prize of $500 at the annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest with his speech titled “Beyond Occupation of Mind and Body.” His speech will also be entered in Mennonite Central Committee’s bi-national intercollegiate oratorical contest.

Stats

95^%

of our peace, justice and conflict studies alumni volunteer at least once a year

100^%

of alumni agree that PJCS professors at GC are genuinely interested in students

1930s

First peace course taught at GC (War, Peace, & Nonresistance)

95^%

of PJCS alumni are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate education

Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.

Students & Alumni

Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Major

Sam Carlson '16

Sam Carlson, a peace, justice and conflict studies (PJCS) major with a minor in women’s and gender studies, takes his PJCS studies seriously. In the summer of 2014, he served at a conflict resolution center in Palestine.

Sam's story

Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Major

Rachel Eisenstat '06

Rachel Eisenstat, a 2006 graduate, studied peace, justice & conflict studies at Goshen College. Since graduating, she has recorded an album with top Denver musicians using funding support from community.

Rachel's story

Communication Major, PJCS Minor

Liz Core '14

During her time at Goshen College, Liz performed in theater productions, wrote for The Record and Goshen Commons, participated in poetry clubs and worked as a barista at Java Junction.

Liz's story

Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Major

Lauren Treiber '14

Lauren Treiber, a 2014 graduate from Grand Rapids, Michigan, came to Goshen College to study peace. While a student, Lauren has formed friendships and learned lessons that will lead her towards a lifetime of peacemaking.

Lauren's story

Education Advocate in Somalia

Khadar Bashir-Ali '85

Khadar Bashir-Ali, a 1985 graduate from Somalia who majored in French, advises the Somalian government on how to improve the education system and oversees national education projects.

Khadar's story

Faculty