Call Number:

RG6.J03

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

0.4 linear ft.

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], Swarthmore College Archives, Swarthmore College Civilian Foreign Service Training Program records, 1942-1946, RG 6/J03, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Date:

1942-1946 (inclusive)

Creator:

Swarthmore College

Abstract:

During World War II, Swarthmore College offered relief and reconstruction training programs, initially at the graduate level for men in the Civilian Public Service (CPS), and later as an undergraduate major. This collection consists of meeting minutes, correspondence, syllabi, reports, and other documents relating to Civilian Foreign Service (CFS) training programs at colleges and universities, particularly the CFS program at Swarthmore. The collection was compiled by J. Roland Pennock, a professor in the Political Science Department who oversaw both the CPS and CFS programs.

Shortly before the US entered World War II, the American Friends Service Committee formed a couple of study groups for young men and women preparing for relief work. As plans began formalizing, the AFSC appointed a Training Committee, of which President John W. Nason of Swarthmore College served as chair. When Congressional legislation terminated the college training program, the Training Committee continued as an advisory committee for plans of all foreign service training under the AFSC.

During the summer of 1943, a small number of men from Civilian Public Service (CPS) camps were assigned to Swarthmore College under the auspices of the American Friends Service Committee for a graduate course in relief and reconstruction work. After new Congressional legislation brought that program to a halt, the college initiated a Civilian Foreign Service (CFS) undergraduate major instead. The CPS and CFS programs were both overseen by J. Roland Pennock, a professor in the Political Science Department.

This collection consists of documents compiled by J. Roland Pennock relating to Civilian Foreign Service (CFS) training programs at colleges and universities, particularly the CFS program at Swarthmore. There is a file of minutes, reports, and other documents from the American Friends Service Committee's Training Committee, on which J. Roland Pennock served. The reconstruction file (unsorted) contains letters, notes, and planning materials specifically regarding the development of reconstruction training programs at Swarthmore. There are additional documents without a clear connection to Swarthmore that may have been used as references for developing that program, such as reports and syllabi from similar reconstruction training programs at other colleges. There is also a separate file of teaching materials and bibliographies. Lastly, the collection contains a folder on applicants and accepted students for the CPS and CFS programs, as well as correspondence and other documents regarding faculty and lecturers in the CPS and CFS programs.