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Northern Ireland

Courses and Academic Information

The Northern Ireland program takes place during the spring semester.

Orientation

Students accepted to the program are required to participate in orientation session Fall Semester prior to departure. Orientation is designed to prepare the students for the cross-cultural experience and will include group meetings with Mervy Love, readings, films, lectures, and discussions with former participants. Students and parents will receive a Handbook of important program information. Ealrham students will receive 1 semester hour credit for successful completion of the orientation. A week end orientation retreat will be scheduled in late October.

Coursework

Students will earn a total of 18 semester hour credits for successful completion of the program. All courses are taught by faculty from the University of Ulster. Courses include:

Women and Community Organisations (2 hrs.) taught by Clionagh Boyle at Magee Colege, University of Ulster, Derry.

Peacebuilding through Reconciliation (3 hrs.) taught by Director Mervyn Love;

History and Background to Troubles (2 hrs.) taught by Peter Pryne, senior course tutor at Magee College, University of Ulster, Derry

International Conflict Resolution (2 hrs.) taught by Stephen Ryan, Director of Peace Studies at Magee College, University of Ulster, Derry

The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland (2 hrs.) taught by Emmet O'Connor, senior lecturer at Magee College, University of Ulster, Derry

Practical Mediation Skills and Conflict Transformation (2 hrs.) taught by Michael Doherty, Director of Derry Peace and Reconciliation Group

Supervised Field Placement (5 hrs.) co-ordinated by Meryn Love. In addition to the courses, students will meet with many political, religious, and community leader throughout the program.

The Field Placement

The supervised field placements provide the students the opportunity to work with the people of Northern Ireland directly and learn about the issues these people deal with on a daily basis. Students are in direct contact with both sides of the conflict by being placed in organizations that bring people from both backgrounds together. In Derry students work in a placement agency one day a week with their placement agencies. In Derry, students have participated in agencies such as Oakgrove Integrated School, Derry Peace and Reconciliation Group, and the Women's Center, and in Belfast, student placements have included Lawnbrook Family Center, The Corrymeela Community and Counteract, a mediation service.

Cultural Activities

Essential components of the program include two week-end retreats, field trips, and cultural excursions. Students will have the opportunity to learn some Irish (Gaelic) music and dance as an extra-curricular activity. In addition to exploring the cities of Derry, Belfast, and Dublin, students will travel to historic landmarks and sites of interest including Armagh, The Giant's Causeway, the Antrim Coast, the Mourne Mountains, and the Ulster-American Folk Park. Many students also travel to Cork. Galway and other places throughout the Irish Republic as part of independent student travel.