Description

Explore the changing face of conflict studies through immersion in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Through thematic seminars, field study, and primary research, students examine current theories of conflict and conflict transformation with a particular focus on the following topics:

* Sectarian and ethnic conflict
* Structural violence and the state
* Historical roots of conflict
* Social and political inequality
* Creation of sustainable peace

Students consider the ways in which conflict can become embedded in the social, political, and economic realities of societies and cultures. The program also offers an opportunity to explore the connection between the sacred landscape of Irish mythology and a new environmental consciousness that challenges accepted notions of development.

At the Forefront of Peace and Conflict Studies
The rapid pace of change in Ireland is giving rise to a radical reconstruction of Irish identity making this a particularly exciting time to be a student of social and political transformation in the Irish context. The SIT program in Ireland extends beyond the legacy of violent ethnic conflict in Northern Ireland to explore questions of identity, links between social exclusion and violence, the creation of civil society, and issues of social justice and human rights, using Dublin, rural Ireland, and Northern Ireland as principal learning sites. The scale of Irish society offers an intimacy and depth of engagement in issues through personal stories and encounters.

Lecturers and Program Partners
Through the holistic lens of conflict transformation, students learn from and engage with academics, government officials, and social activists to explore contemporary Irish issues from both sides of the island and from multiple perspectives. Lecturers are drawn from Trinity College, University College Dublin, Queen's University Belfast, the University of Ulster, and practitioners in the field.

In the Irish Republic, students examine issues of urbanization, multiculturalism, the environment, and the creation of new and sustainable communities. During the program period in the North, students focus on the rebuilding of civil society and the creation of an inclusive political process after years of sectarianism and political violence. The challenges presented in both settings stretch traditional notions of identity and culture.

Highlights

Educational excursions to Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and the Aran Islands. Eight to twelve week homestay in Dublin, Derry and a rural location.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Experience Required

yes

Recommendation: Coursework in and/or personal commitment to peace and conflict studies is strongly recommended.

This Program is open to

American and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

3 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

SIT Study Abroad's Mission Statement

A pioneer in experiential, field-based study abroad, SIT offers semester, summer, and academic year programs for undergraduate students in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs in multiple locations.

Programs focus on critical global issues in specific geographical and cultural contexts using an interdisciplinary approach. Studying with host country faculty and living with families, students gain a deep appreciation for local cultures and become immersed in diverse topics ranging from the politics of identity to post-conflict transformation, from global health to environmental policy. 

Year Founded

1932