Regardless of the class I am teaching—whether it’s Social and Political Economy, Globalization and Justice, or even History of the Middle East—I begin and end the semester with a conversation about what I think are really important learning goals. Yes, each class has its own particular learning goals, like “develop an understanding of the complexity … Continue reading Encounter, Self-reflexivity, and Belonging by Timothy Seidel
Dismantling the Event by Emily Powell & Yasmiene Mabrouk
This Indigenous People’s Day, Eastern Mennonite University held two events to honor the people living on this continent who were displaced by colonization. The first event, Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, provided an introduction to the influence of church doctrine on colonialism and featured a documentary and a discussion. The second event featured the documentary … Continue reading Dismantling the Event by Emily Powell & Yasmiene Mabrouk
A Summer Well Spent by Felix Kioko
From my personal interest in international and community development, I have been working alongside the local women in rural Kenya. I believe that women play a significant role in community development. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and live in a free poverty world, women need to be engaged and empowered through … Continue reading A Summer Well Spent by Felix Kioko
It’s Personal: My Experience with Investigating Whiteness by Nicole Litwiller
“How was your summer?!” is pretty common question for those returning to school after summer break. I expected the question, but when I was asked for the first time this semester, I had to pause and think. The expected “It was so great!” doesn’t quite fit for my experience this past summer – it certainly … Continue reading It’s Personal: My Experience with Investigating Whiteness by Nicole Litwiller
Bridging the Gap Between Incarceration and Community by Gabby McMillon
Going into my semester at the Washington Community Scholars Center, EMU's location in the nation's capital, I wondered if my internship was a good fit for me. I had been placed with a reentry non-profit called Voices for a Second Chance. I had a basic understanding of criminal justice issues from reading Michelle Alexander’s book The New … Continue reading Bridging the Gap Between Incarceration and Community by Gabby McMillon
An Attempt at Decolonizing the Classroom By Myriam Aziz
I came to the U.S. for the first time when I was 15 years old. I was the only Arab in my school. When people would ask me where I was from and I would say “Lebanon,”, very few knew where that was. It seemed unfair mainly because I knew so much about American culture. … Continue reading An Attempt at Decolonizing the Classroom By Myriam Aziz
Different Voices, Common Truth by Ben Rush
Academic department chapels at EMU are held each spring. They provide an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to worship in an intimate setting and meditate on their vocation and divine calling. These chapels are one of many ways for students to explore the Christian faith that is part of the core of EMU’s curriculum. … Continue reading Different Voices, Common Truth by Ben Rush
Hope in the Midst of Occupation by Adrienne Derstine
It has been nearly two months of traveling in the footsteps of Jesus, waking up to the Muslim call to prayer, and eating endless pita with hummus. I set out for the Middle East through the Cross-Cultural program at EMU with the intention of studying the Israel/Palestine conflict and to hear stories from all stakeholders. … Continue reading Hope in the Midst of Occupation by Adrienne Derstine
ICPF Conference & Restorative Justice by Caleb Schrock-Hurst
This past weekend I jumped into a car with four other EMU students from Peace Fellowship Club and drove 10 hours north to Conrad Grebel University College in Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. About an hour and a half southwest of Toronto, Conrad Grebel is a sister school of EMU’s and was the host of this year’s … Continue reading ICPF Conference & Restorative Justice by Caleb Schrock-Hurst
Speculative Charter School Growth in the Case of UNO Charter School Network in Chicago by Ryan Good & Benjamin Teresa
The Obama administration emphasized charter schools as a reform strategy; early indications from the Trump administration signal a wholesale drive toward expanded “choice” options. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is now the highest-profile advocate for school choice, arguing alongside other proponents for liberalized regulation and financing for the expansion of charter schools. In their estimation, … Continue reading Speculative Charter School Growth in the Case of UNO Charter School Network in Chicago by Ryan Good & Benjamin Teresa