This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, much attention has been paid to discussion of weapons of mass destruction, oil reserves, and Islamic fundamentalism. Peter Dimmick ’08 (Sewickley, Pa.) will address different issues, however, through research for an upcoming manuscript.
Dimmick is collaborating with Stephen Lammers, Manson Professor of the English Bible, through Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. The program has helped to make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
“I am in the process of creating a manuscript which will critique American behavior before, during, and after the formal military operations in Iraq,” explains Lammers. “I intend to critique the deception leading up to the war, low regard shown towards civilian deaths during and after the war, use of cluster munitions, treatment of prisoners both in Iraq and elsewhere, and failure to take responsibility for our actions in Iraq after the war.”
After hearing about his mentor’s work, Dimmick became immediately interested in contributing.
“I asked Professor Lammers for the opportunity to research with him and he insisted that I help with this current project. In its most simplistic definition, I am helping with a book on a ‘just war’ critique of the Iraq War,” says Dimmick, a religion and politics major. “I believe, however, it is more than that. The work shall include sections on torture, memory, and peacemaking after war, which I believe are more unique and beneficial when talking about the war.”
Dimmick believes there is more to the war than the topics explored in the media. He is particularly interested in the peace process.
“A main interest of mine is the peacemaking process after war. I believe our discussion of this topic will be especially interesting because jus post bellum [justice after war] is a developing criteria not in the original ‘just war’ theory, which includes only criteria in the jus ad bellum [justice of war] and jus in bello [justice in war] categories,” he says.
“Right now I am focusing on critically reviewing what has already been published on ‘just war’ theory as it pertains to the war in Iraq,” Dimmick says. “It is important to include what other ethicists have already said, to allow all the opinions to bang around in your head, and see where you come out at the end, defending or refuting.”
Lammers believes Dimmick has been extremely helpful throughout the project.
“Peter is very gung ho,” says Lammers. “He is learning that he has to be careful in listening to what other authors are saying before he rightfully offers criticism of them.”
Dimmick is co-founder of The Journey, a religious life group, and is vice president of Writing Organization Reaching Dynamic Students. He also is a member of the ice hockey team and College Choir.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Twenty-one students have been accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.