Politics of the Troubles of Northern Ireland

 

On this one-week spring break program, students will explore Belfast, Northern Ireland and Dublin, Ireland. Students will engage with local experts, ex-combatants, politicians, and witnesses to learn about the period of conflict known as the Troubles. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about the peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in divided societies. As part of this program, students will take part in service-learning projects at a local youth center. 

Various site visits include the Belfast Castle, City Hall and the Peace Wall among others. 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant on the program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • an understanding of the development, process, and issues of the rebellion and reconciliation in Ireland and Northern Ireland. 
  • critical thinking and analytic skills when considering the sources of conflict among communities of Ireland and Northern Ireland in a historical and political context.
  • an understanding of the barriers to peacebuilding in post-conflict, divided societies. 

The majority of this program will occur in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. The city experienced a period of violent conflict and destruction, a period known as the Troubles. Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, will also be visited on this program. 

Where You'll Live: 

You can expect your housing to have the following:

  • shared rooms in hotels
  • shared bathrooms
  • Wifi in hotels
  • some meals

We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change. Contact your program manager with any questions. 

What You'll Study: 

This program is a 1.0 credit course. Assignments and meetings on the Greensburg campus before and after the program are required. 

The course on this program is crosslisted as PS1969 / HIST1969.

The Politics of Rebellion & Reconciliation in Northern Ireland (PS1969)

This course explores the sources and development of conflict and subsequent peace-building in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The focus is on the development of the Irish state, the rise of conflict during the Troubles in Northern Ireland between the 1960s and 1990s, and finally the establishment of a peace process and system of governance from the 1990s to present. The course includes a one week study abroad component in Ireland and Northern Ireland during Spring Break.

You will earn one credit for successful completion of the program and will be required to take part in pre-departure orientations, lectures, and coursework on the Greensburg campus. 

This program works with Pittsburgh-based global service-learning organization, Amizade. Amizade has a long history in Northern Ireland and will provide on-site support for this program. Amizade creates Fair Trade Learning programs which are founded on values of community service, reciprocity, diversity, and more. More information about Amizade can be found here

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Julie Shannon

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!

  • Log in to Pathways or use the Navigate app.
  • Select Appointments > Schedule an Appointment
  • Select Pitt Global as the Care Unit.
  • Select Study Abroad Virtual Advising as the Location
  • Select Study Abroad Program Specific Questions as the service
  • Select my name and find a time that works for you!

Having trouble or don't see a time that works for you? Just email me!

Your In-Country Contacts: 

Dr. Paul Adams

Dr. Paul Adams earned his PhD from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) and specializes in comparative politics and international relations, specifically the study of the politics of Europe, the European Union, corporatism and state-society relations, as well as American foreign policy and international organizations. He is an Affiliated Faculty member of the Center for European Studies, a Jean Monnet European Union Center of Excellence, at the University of Pittsburgh (Oakland Campus). Dr. Adams is the Chair of the Behavioral Science Division and faculty advisor to the Pitt-Greensburg Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. He is also a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Theta Upsilon, the International Geographical Honor Society. He has authored or co-authored chapters or entries in texts such as New Directions in Comparative Politics (2002) , Authoritarianism and Corporatism in Latin America Revisited (2004), The International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, Second Edition (2007),Globalization: Universal Trends, Regional Implications (2008), The Research Handbook of Voluntary and Nonprofit Associations (2016) and co-edited the text Western Europe and the United States: Foundations of Comparative Politics (2005). He has also published articles and book reviews in EUSA Review and Perceptions: Journal of International Affairs. Dr. Adams came to the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in 2006 after a visiting position at the University of Richmond. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2013.

E-mail: 

Items Billed by Pitt

  In-State Out-of-State
Program Fee $3,199 $3,399
     

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Airfare $1,000 - $1,400
Meals and Personal Expenses $300

 

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad. Visit our Budgeting page for more information. The above estimates are estimates. 

 

 

What's Included: 

As part of your Politics of the Troubles in Northern Ireland program fee, the following are included:

  • Tuition for one credit (note: if you are enrolling in 18 credits for the spring, please contact Julie Shannon)
  • In-country transportation
  • Museum entrance fees/cultural visits/tours of Belfast and Dublin
  • Workshops with local experts 
  • Hotel accommodations with some meals
  • International health insurance 

While your program fee will cover most of your expenses, keep in mind that you are also responsible for the following:

  • Transportation to/from the Pittsburgh International Airport
  • Passport fees (~$150)
  • Most meals and any personal expenses

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad. Visit our Budgeting page for more information. 

What Else You Need to Know: 

Because of the nature of this program and dates, students do not have the opportunity to travel independently before, during, or after the program. 

Pitt Greensburg students should contact Julie Shannon regarding scholarships.