InFocus: War & Peace

The goal of IN FOCUS is for ɫ��ɫ College, ɫ��ɫ Theological Seminary, and the Comenius Center to realize the promise of becoming known as an institution that engages its students in the study of important issues that challenge humanity today and as we look to the future. Through grappling with complex problems, and examining them from several different perspectives ɫ��ɫ’s graduates will be better prepared to contribute to a just society and a vibrant democracy.

InFocus Highlights 2014-2015

Get the latest InFocus news, updates, and photos on the and page.

	War and Peace Building Conference March 27, 2014, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM ɫ��ɫ College View Final Schedule \| View Poster Keynote Speaker Robert Meagher Professor of Humanities at Hampshire College Author of: Killing from the Inside Out: Moral Injury and Just War Keynote Information 9:00 am Keynote Musical Performance: Prosser Auditorium, HUB "Prayer," a work for cello composed by Alyssa Weinberg; performed by cellist Timotheos Petrin; commissioned by the One Book, One Philadelphia program. 9:30 am Keynote Address: Prosser Auditorium, HUB “Wounded Warriors, Wounded Nation: Closing the Gates of War” Professor Robert E. Meagher War darkens souls – the souls of warriors and the soul of the nation that sends them off to do its violent bidding. An entire nation goes to war when it deploys its sons and daughters. We are a nation of warriors, a warlike people. Committed and resigned to institutionalized violence in the national interest, war has long been our default position. Moral injury is the signature wound not only of our military but of our society as well. As veterans return home from war, it is time to imagine our homecoming and healing with them as a nation, from our deep addiction to war and the moral injury it inflicts on us. It is time to close the gates of war. View Photos From the Conference
	Lifelong Learning Spring Symposium: Peace and Justice Saturday, May 2, 2015, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Haupert Union Building Public Welcome \| Admission Free "Celebrating Diversity for Peace" by Tyrone Russell, Director of Multicultural Affairs, Lehigh University "Resolving Conflict for a Peaceful Outcome" by Lee Rush, International Institute of Restorative Practices "The Role that Religion Plays in the Inspiration and Hindrance of Peace" by Sundar J.M. Brown, ɫ��ɫ Theological Seminary
	Civil Rights Leader and Non-Violent Change Advocate Rev. James M. Lawson II "Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?" Thursday, April 23, 2015, 7:00 pm Prosser Auditorium, Haupert Student Union Public Welcome \| Admission Free Light reception immediately following the program 8th Peace and Justice Scholar-in-Residence and the 2014-15 IN FOCUS Bridge Speaker Learn more about the event...
	ɫ��ɫ College & The Vietnam War An Integenerational Conversation Thursday, April 2 through Monday, April 20, 2015 Art Exhibition, Paty Eifle Gallery, ɫ��ɫ College HUB Monday, April 13, 7pm Prosser Auditorium Alumni/Emeriti Panel Discussion Hosted by current ɫ��ɫ Students Reception to follow
	First Annual IntelliGen Conference on Religion & Violence Saturday, April 11, 2015, 9:00 - 4:30 pm The Bahnson Center, ɫ��ɫ Theological Seminary View schedule ...
	"State of War" reading group Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 4-5 pm PPHAC Room 103 You are cordially invited to join with the InFocus "State of War" reading group for our last in a series of vibrant discussions on National Security and the Economy' and "The Political Economy of the Cold War". These are the remaining two chapters of what has been called Paul Koistinen's magisterial book, State of War: The Political Economy of American Warfare 1945-2011. You need not have read the book to attend. A brief summary of the chapters will preface our discussions. Light refreshments will be served.
	Guitar Ensemble & Celtic Ensemble Sunday, March 29, 2015, 7:00 pm Peter Hall, Hurd Campus Featuring Peace, Justice and War -- Celtic Style View program ...
	Shared Book Reading Thursday, April 23, 2015, 5:15pm Arena Theatre (lower level of the HUB) Come to share snacks, drinks, and informal conversation about Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, a 2012 novel by Ben Fountain: On returning home from war, nineteen-year-old Billy Lynn is welcomed as a decorated soldier and a national celebrity. The three minute video of his and the rest of Bravo Squad's bravery under fire and defeat of Iraqi insurgents is a YouTube sensation. Now they are the guests of honor at a nationally broadcast Thanksgiving Day game at the Dallas Cowboys stadium. The story follows the afternoon's events as the young men are immersed in the world of film, fame, glory, sex and politics. But tomorrow they must go back to war.
	Veterans and Their Partners Thursday, March 26, 2015, 7:00pm–8:30pm Haupert Union Building, UBC Room Too many veterans and their families suffer diminished lives as a result of military events. Learn how veterans and their families are becoming agents in their own recovery here and elsewhere. Learn more about how the Veterans Recovery Movement addresses the invisible wounds that challenge our veterans and their families. “Veterans and Their Families - Recovering and Thriving” View Poster
	Are You a Social Justice Warrior? March 31, 2015, 11:45-1:00pm UBC Room, HUB Join us for an engaging and eye-opening lunch session aimed at challenging your own perceptions, activism, and ideas towards a myriad of social issues. Lunch will be provided. This program is co-sponsored by the Center for Intercultural Advancement and Inclusion and the Office of Religious Life.
	SOUL INJURY with Deborah Grassman February 27, 2015, 9:30am–4:30pm ɫ��ɫ Theological Seminary Bahnson Center A prevalent but seldom talked-about wound of war is “soul injury”—unmourned grief and unforgiven guilt. These lectures will expand your knowledge and skill in dealing with the unique bereavement needs of veterans and their families. You will also expand your knowledge about normal grief vs. complicated grief, the relationship of grief to PTSD, and using your own pain to abide with others’ pain.
	Shakespeare's HENRY V - Play Reading February 27, 2015, 8pm Arena Theatre A classic in western literature, this play includes some of Shakespeare's most famous lines and speeches on the topic of war. King Henry V rallies the English forces for an invasion of France, facing staggering odds. Despite the rhetoric of victory, this play does not shy away from issues of loss and suffering. Presented by the ɫ��ɫ College Theatre Company.
	Journey From The East - Theater Performance April 18-19, 25-26 Southside Greenway, Harmony Pavilion A grand outdoor performance. Following up on the 2012 Civil War extravaganza "A Resting Place," ɫ��ɫ once again partners with Touchstone Theatre on its latest community-based offering, taking theatre to the streets for another epic theatricade. Inspired by Bethlehem's ever-changing community, and mixing the Chinese classic "Journey to the West" with the American classic "Western," this culture-mashing spectacle will take place on the South Bethlehem Greenway and at the Chinese Harmony Pavilion. In this play, an American president and a Chinese emissary struggle with how their two countries can co-exist peacefully in our changing world.
	War & Peace: Photographs & Paintings January 22 - March 6, 2015 Payne Gallery, Hurd Campus This exhibition supports ɫ��ɫ College's In Focus thematic programming for the academic year. The exhibition will include groups of photographs from the first Iraq war by Barbara Alper, photographs taken by ɫ��ɫ's own veterans of war, a historical series of images from Bethlehem, Palestine, and three paintings by artist Grace Graupe Pillard.
	A Composer's Response to "Yellow Birds" Tuesday, Jan. 27th 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM Peter Hall, Hurd Campus Alyssa Weinberg, a composer from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, has written a solo cello piece based on the book "Yellow Birds," which was the FYS reading this year. She will discuss the piece, which is titled "Prayer (Yellow Birds)," and then a cellist, also affiliated with Curtis, will perform the nine-minute work.
	Hounds for Freedom Network Advocating For Freedom in the 21st Century Kick-off Event - Monday, November 24 at 7:00pm UBC Room, HUB, ɫ��ɫ College Hear from a panel of our partners and learn how you can get involved: Beck Sullivan, VAST Coalition • Cynthia Mota, Allentown City Councilwoman • Natalie Hagan, Restavek Freedom Foundation • Kim Checkeye, President, Truth For Women View flyer ...
	Brown Bag Lunch "The War within Warfare" A Closer Look at Women in the Military Presented by AAUW, Carole Reese, WSAC, and the Center for Intercultural Advancement and Inclusion When: November 4th, 12PM - 1PM Where: Afterwords Cafe (Lower level of Reeves Library)
	The Invisible War Movie + Sushi and Wings! A film by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering / Directed by Kirby Dick When: October 28th at 6pm Where: PPHAC 102 Sponsored by AAUW
	Reese Joins Forces with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden to Discuss Supporting Military Families Many people may take a trip to Washington, D.C., to see the White House, but those excursions probably don't include a sit down meeting with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden. Carole Reese, chief research officer and director of special projects at ɫ��ɫ College, was given the opportunity to meet with the First and Second Ladies of the United States to conduct an interview for NPR’s “StoryCorps” program.
	Sipple Lecture Examines Human Trafficking Oct. 22 Drexel University Professor Donna Sabella to Present 2014 Sipple Nursing Lecture Donna Sabella, assistant clinical professor and director of global studies at the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Drexel University, will visit ɫ��ɫ College's Foy Hall at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to present a lecture on "Human Trafficking: Global and Local Perspectives.”
	Bethlehem Conference on ɫ��ɫ History and Music The fourth Bethlehem Conference on ɫ��ɫ History and Music was hosted on the campuses of ɫ��ɫ College and ɫ��ɫ Theological Seminary Oct. 2-5. Scholars, musicians and ɫ��ɫ enthusiasts convened in downtown Bethlehem to explore the latest research on a wide range of topics related to ɫ��ɫ history and music from the fifteenth to twentieth centuries through lectures, concerts, art, food and drinks.
	Putting Military Experience into Words ɫ��ɫ College to Offer Inaugural Veterans Writing Workshop It’s no assumption to say that every returning war veteran and military personnel member has a story to share. Beginning in spring 2015, through its inaugural ENGL 299: Veterans Writing Workshop, ɫ��ɫ College will offer student veterans the opportunity to put pen to paper and join a writing community on its Bethlehem campus.
	"What is Peace" Professors Bernie Cantens and Kelly Denton-Borhaug to Address ‘What is Peace?’ in NEH-funded Course Professors Bernie Cantens and Kelly Denton-Borhaug to Address ‘What is Peace?’ in NEH-funded Course The timing of the National Endowment for the Humanities’ grant to fund ɫ��ɫ College’s new course “What is Peace?” couldn’t be more appropriate, reasons Philosophy Professor Bernie Cantens.
	ɫ��ɫ College Fall Convocation 2014 Nobel Laureate Jody Williams Calls for 'Courageous' Peace Renowned Activist Presents Lecture at ɫ��ɫ College's Fall Convocation Before a crowded Johnston Hall audience, as part of ɫ��ɫ College’s Fall Convocation, Nobel laureate Jody Williams tackled a far-reaching list of topics, ranging from her personal views on war and peace, to the positives and the pitfalls of being a recipient of the world’s most famous and controversial prize.
	Kevin Powers, author of Yellow Birds Freshmen Summer Reading Community Event Sunday, August 24, 11:30, Johnston Hall