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Program Details: Curriculum, Costs, Dates, Etc.

With a combination of academic and practical work, the Indianapolis Peace Institute (IPI) program provides a strong service-learning experience.  You will earn up to 16 college credits for successful completion of the semester program, engage in self-reflection, and make invaluable urban living and peacebuilding connections.  If you need more than 16 credits please contact us.

Semester Program Curriculum

An internship of up to 20 hours a week.  Working at one of the many organizations in meaningful peacebuilding work, you will be assigned a mentor and supervised by the IPI director or associate director.  Some additional reading and reflection are required.  Internships are unpaid. (6 credit hours)

Peacebuilding courses. The four academic courses integrate theory, reflection and practice, and draw on the experience of a full range of faculty and guest speakers from well-known theorists to community-based practitioners to the students themselves.

1. Peacebuilding Across the Disciplines – 3 credits
   Explore, alongside scholars and practitioners, the links between the varied scholarly disciplines and the practice of peacebuilding
2. Conflict Transformation and Leadership Skills (taught in modules) – 3 credits
   Master skills including, amongst others, mediation, small group facilitation, interpersonal relations, communication, activism, problem-solving, visioning and more
3. The Ethics of Peacebuilding – 3 credits
   Understand the ethical dilemmas that face practitioners in the field of peacebuilding and your role and responsibilities as a peacebuilder
4. Urban Issues of Indianapolis – 1 credit
   Immerse yourself in the history of Indianapolis and the issues currently faced by many urban communities

Additional Credits. Independent study credits can be arranged through your home campus and supervised by IPI personnel and/or home-campus faculty.  Courses may also be taken at an Indianapolis-based college or electronically through Earlham, Goshen and Manchester Colleges. These credits can be related to the internship or to some other peacebuilding interest or project.  IPI staff can provide more information on obtaining additional credits as well as assistance in making these arrangements.

Additional Programming. A 4-day orientation and a 1-day final workshop enhance the community living component of the semester at the Indianapolis Peace Institute.  A major part of the program encourages the creation of a proactive community of young people interested in peacebuilding issues.  This makes the house a thriving, interesting environment in which to live and work.  All program participants are required to attend the weekly house meetings, which are an important part of the community living experience. There are also professional development workshops led by career services personnel, who guide students in resume and job skill enhancement.

Summer Program Curriculum

An internship of 30-40 hours a week.  Working at one of the many organizations in meaningful peacebuilding work, you will be assigned a mentor and supervised by the IPI director or associate director.  Some additional reading and reflection are required. (0-6 credits, organized through your home campus)

Additional summer program information.

Dates

Summer
June 3, 2007 – Aug. 4, 2007

Fall
Aug. 21, 2007 – Dec. 15, 2007

Spring
Jan. 6, 2008– April 25, 2008

Costs and Financial Aid (Semester Program)

Fees and costs — Students from Earlham, Goshen and Manchester Colleges will pay their regular tuition, room and board to their college.  If you attend another institution, arrangements will be made for IPI to obtain a percentage of your tuition, room and board from your home institution.  If you do not live on campus, please contact us with regards to the costs for room and board.  Scholarships may be available to offset expenses over and above your regular tuition, room and board.

Financial support — Earlham, Goshen and Manchester College students who receive financial aid may apply their aid to the Indianapolis Peace Institute program. Even if the student has already participated in a semester away, this aid may be applied to IPI.  For other students, a limited number of Plowshares Scholarships are available to assist in covering any financial aid that is non-transferrable.”

Other costs

• Upon acceptance in the program, students will be asked to pay a $150 deposit.  $50 of this deposit is non-refundable and will be used to cover the cleaning of the residence, breakage and/or damages.  $100 will be refunded upon the successful completion of the program.
• Any remaining costs not covered by the home institution are due 2 weeks prior to the start of the program.
• Students are responsible for the costs of books, transportation and other personal supplies.
• Food and household supplies are covered through a weekly allowance.

Eligibility

Undergraduates majoring in all disciplines are encouraged to apply.  Recent graduates may apply for the summer program.