Democracy and Social Change in Northern Ireland

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Offered fall and spring semesters

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Overview

Program Categories:

Abroad

Program Location:

Northern Ireland

Semester(s) offered:

Fall and Spring Semesters

Program Start/End Dates:

September 3, 2015 to December 11, 2015

February 4, 2016 to May 13, 2016

Other Program Dates:

Travel date for end of the program: Fall 2015 is Saturday 12/13/2015. Spring 2015 is Saturday, 5/14/2016.

Program Fees:

Study abroad program fees may vary depending on your institution.

Member and non-member school use different fee structures. Check here for more information.

In 1969, society in Northern Ireland was torn by violent conflict that erupted from issues relating to civic, social, and political differences. Today, Northern Ireland offers an example of the vast dimensions of transition from conflict to democracy. Students in this study abroad program examine the historical, political and religious roots of the conflict in Northern Ireland, the prospects for peace, and the progress being made. Through readings, lectures, discussions, internships, group and independent study projects and field experiences this program invites interaction with people involved in social change. The program explores theoretical approaches to understanding conflict and its transformation as well as the processes underway in Northern Ireland to create a sustainable democracy.

Field seminars focus on human rights, equality, conflict transformation, and education for democracy, and help students see in action the tools used to transform conflict. A seven-week, nearly full-time internship in Londonderry/Derry allows students to participate directly in efforts toward a peaceful future. Diverse perspectives at the internship help students understand the progress of peacer and analyze the cultural strengths, traditions, and resources available for building a sustainable and inclusive democracy. Internship sites ultimately provide an opportunity to do meaningful work that makes a difference. Some organizations are grassroots with a local focus, while others are international in scope. Finally, each student carries out an independent study project on a topic of her/his choice, which includes field research.

Good to Know

HECUA partners with the University of Ulster, which has campuses throughout the country. Classes are held at the University of Ulster at Magee with field study and internships in selected regions of Northern Ireland. The program is affiliated with INCORE, the International Conflict Research Institute on the University’s Magee campus in Londonderry/Derry.

Students spend the first five weeks taking core seminars at the University of Ulster at Magee. All students will be provided with a private room during this initial program module. During the seven-week internship at the center of the semester, students will live in a student village in Derry/Londonderry and share living/common space with other students.

HECUA will guide students through the process of obtaining a United Kingdom visa to participate in the program. For more information about the visa process, contact HECUA student services, or call at 651-287-3312.

Program Fee

The program fee covers group transportation to field sites, planned group excursions, lodging, meals, medical insurance, and administrative costs. Meals are provided through a food stipend.

The fee does not cover round-trip airfare from the U.S. to Northern Ireland, incidental expenses (souvenirs, extra food, cell phone service, etc), course readings, local transportation, or visa costs.

Field Study

Extended Field Trip to the Republic of Ireland
Students spend a week in Dublin, Ireland, comparing and contrasting life between the “North” and the “South.” During the trip into the Republic students meet with politicians who have been involved in the peace process and explore the role of the Republic of Ireland in the politics of Northern Ireland. In Dublin, students stay in hostel accommodations and have the opportunity to visit many sites in the city. Students visit the Tithe an Oireachtais (the houses of the Irish Parliament) and also meet with community groups who are actively involved in community development and social inclusion.

Example Internships

The following internships have been available most recently. Placements often change in response to the needs of organizations and the specific skills and interests of students participating in the program.

The Nerve Centre
The Verbal Arts Centre
St Columb’s Park House
Children in Crossfire
YouthAction Northern Ireland
The Playhouse Theatre
The Pat Finucane Centre
Clooney Community Resource Centre
Headliners
Peace and Reconciliation Group
The Junction, Holywell Trust and Towards Understanding and Healing
The Rainbow Project

Faculty

Nigel Glenny

Program Director, Democracy and Social Change in Northern Ireland

INCORE, University of Ulster

Eligibility & Coursework

Documentation & Syllabus Examples:

A recent syllabus for Democracy and Change in Northern Ireland

Prerequisites/Eligibility:

Students must have completed first year in college
Students must be in good academic standing overall – 2.0 GPA or higher (any application with GPA below 2.5 will receive additional evaluation)
Students must also complete all home campus requirements for off-campus study

Courses:

Understanding the Northern Ireland Conflict
Building a Sustainable Democracy
Northern Ireland Internship and Integration Seminar (equivalent to two courses)

Total: 4 course credits / 16 credit hours
The courses are taken as an integrated whole and provide the equivalent of a semester's worth of credit, i.e. 4 course credits, 16 semester credits or 27 trimester credits. This program is full-time, five days a week, with classes scheduled on two days and approximately 20 hours weekly in an internship.

Credits

Receive Credits That Count

HECUA's courses provide upper-level credits (junior- and senior- level credits). All students from HECUA consortium institutions receive at the very least "blanket credit," or sixteen credits toward graduation. Nearly all students also obtain significant major and minor credits for participating in HECUA programs. As is the case with most off-campus study programs, students should work directly with their home institution to receive credit toward a major, or credit toward another graduation requirement. (Other requirements might be "general education" requirements, "liberal education" requirements, or distribution requirements). Experienced HECUA staff are available to assist students in negotiating meaningful credit transfer.

First, to assist with the process of negotiating credits with advisors and registrars on campus, HECUA has compiled information on how recent participants in Democracy and Social Change have received major credit from their home institutions.

Second, HECUA's Director of Programs, Sarah Pradt, is always available for more information on credit transfer and for personalized assistance with students' individual situations.

Major and/or Minor Credit Students Have Received

• American Studies
• Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS)
• Global Studies
• History
• Human Services
• Individually Designed Interdepartmental Major (IDIM)
• International Politics/International Studies/International Relations
• Internship requirement
• Justice and Peace Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Social Justice
• Sociology
• Women’s Studies
• Youth Studies

Credit approval may be possible in other major or minor areas; the list above represents only arrangements reported to HECUA.

Previous Students' Methods for Credit Approval

Saved coursework (syllabus, papers, projects) to show to Major/Minor department or Academic Advisor for credit approval
Spoke with Academic Advisor about credit transfer process
Spoke with Major/Minor Department Chair about credit transfer process
Retrieved credit transfer paperwork from Office of the Registrar
Received General Education credits, petitioned for Major/Minor credit
Spoke with off-campus study office about credit transfer process

Student Reflections

See what past Northern Ireland students say about the program!

"This program has illustrated to me that there are ways to learn beyond doing homework and sitting in a classroom. Although I've always enjoyed learning and going to school, the HECUA program is a different way of learning, which I think helps expand what education means to me."
Rebecca, Gustavus Adolphus College, spring 2013

"The most important thing I learned through my HECUA program was about listening and relationships. Everyone has a story. This will influence me beyond this semester by allowing me to build better, possibly unexpected relationships with people, to see things in a different light-maybe challenging some of the values I have, and broadening my horizons to new interests."
Emily, University of St. Thomas, spring 2012

"I have changed my view of my place in society and how I am able to effect change in society. This experience has made me rethink my personal career goals in the best way possible."
Jackson, Gustavus Adolphus College, spring 2012

“Learning is much more than facts, it is an important process of personal revision of perspectives and values. HECUA is hands-on involvement.”
Kelly, St. Olaf College, spring 2011

“What a special and amazing semester—one I’ll never forget.”
Jenna, Macalester College, spring 2011

“This semester helped me figure out what I want to do with my future.”
Marcy, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, spring 2011

For more details about the student experience, 12 individual students are profiled on the UNESCO Centre's HECUA-specific webpage (keep following the links as the program pages are now archived, but still visible).

Interested in more info? Contact:

Kari Pederson Behrends

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Democracy and Social Change in Northern Ireland

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See what past Northern Ireland students say about the program!