Metropolitan Ireland Study Abroad Program June 6-19 2018
METROPOLITAN IRELAND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM JUNE 6-19 2018
Course TitleGlobal Perspectives on Civil Rights and Conflict Resolution through the lens of Irish History & Culture.
Lead Instructor (Ireland Campus)
Niamh Hamill, Ph.D. Institute of Study Abroad Ireland
Instructor Details:
Niamh Hamill is the director and lecturer-in-residence at the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland, based in Donegal, Ireland. She has a B.Ed. and M.A. in American Studies from University College Dublin, and a Ph.D. in History and Culture from Drew University, New Jersey. Niamh has been the primary instructor for groups from U.S. schools and colleges since 1996, and has vast experience in the teaching of Irish Studies to U.S. students of all levels.
Course Description:
Global Perspectives on Conflict and Peace through the lens of Irish History & Culture. The program offers an important socio-historical framework of the history of Ireland from pre-Christian to modern times. We include an overview on Celtic Ireland, British imperialism, Famine and Emigration, Irish-American impact on the United States, with a focus on the Civil Rights movement in Northern Ireland, the subsequent ‘Troubles’, the conflict resolution in Northern Ireland, and current Peace Process. A comprehensive program of field trips is integrated with the class teaching to reinforce the learning outcomes.
Course Objectives:- Recognize the major aspects of the “Irish Cultural Experience”.
- Analyze the degree of interrelatedness and multicultural crossover between the cultures of Ireland and America, in particular the experience of Civil Rights campaigns, ‘freedom fighters/terrorists’, conflict resolution processes, racism and sectarianism in the community, global and foreign policy solutions.
- Formulate coherent written material based upon critical thinking about the experiences embedded within the course. This will include the cultural, political and historical aspects of Irish life and culture.
- Demonstrate and develop the ability to articulate the questions that underpin the experience of living in another culture.
Course Learning Outcomes:
The program will take place on campus at the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland in Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland. The program will cover a timeline from the neolithic period of Irish history to the present day, and it will provide a historical and cultural context as a lens through which the students will consider culture, conflict and resolution. The aim is to provide the opportunity for interdisciplinary and comparative thinking about the cultural and anthropological development of the Irish, through the earliest tribal settlements, through the colonisation experience, the experience of political, cultural and economic revolution, and the emergence of a modern Irish Republic 100 years after independence.
The second part of the program will also include adventure and cultural activities that are part of the Ireland experience and make use of the excellent outdoor resources available in this part of Europe. The Donegal Campus is located on Ireland’s ‘Wild Atlantic Way’, an area renowned for extraordinary landscapes and seascapes. The adventure and cultural activities are integrated with the syllabus, but also provide valuable learning outcomes in personal development, team participation, self-esteem and independent and group thought.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Classroom hours – 9
Contact hours in the field with lecturer – 28
Structured Cultural learning – 9 hours
Personal Development & Service activities -15 hours
Classes are taught by faculty at Institute of Study Abroad Ireland, and expert guest lecturers.
Guided field trips are led by faculty and expert guides. All outdoor and adventure activities are led by qualified instructors.
This is an interdisciplinary program, with several areas of learning experiences as follows;
1: The study abroad experience- travelling overseas: acquiring a passport, negotiating transatlantic travel, meeting peers from around the US, from Ireland and other European countries, residing in Derry (Northern Ireland) and Donegal (Republic of Ireland), and all that is a part of international travel.
2: Familiarisation with the evolution of Irish Culture from the neolithic period through to modern times, which will include the experiences of imperialism, famine, revolution and independence. Students will understand the complex historical context of the modern conflict situation in Ireland. Students will reflect on current conflict situations and consider the wider contexts and their complexity. Exposure to the literature and arts of the local culture expands the context and delivers improvement in critical thinking skills, cross-cultural skills and perspectives, tolerance for ambiguity, and new perspectives on American society and culture and on the US role in the world
3: Personal development and self-esteem; cultural and outdoor activities, social engagement and group work enhance the students’ self-confidence, improve their social skills, encourage them to participate as team players rather than individuals, and expand their comfort zone in a context of balanced and supported challenges and support so as to enhance their ability to (inter)act in unfamiliar situations. They will form meaningful relationships and friendships with local people and other participants in the program.
4: An understanding of conflict and resolution- in Northern Ireland during a specific time period, and using this knowledge to compare other processes of conflict and resolution within different communities.
- The ability to analyse the degree of interrelatedness and multicultural crossover between the cultures of Ireland and of other nations and states.
- The ability to articulate the questions that underpin the experience of living in another culture. Students should be able to identify problematical issues in the concept of “Irishness” and to reflect and compare this notion with their own experiences. This in turn should encourage critical discussion and reflection about the differences between US, Irish and European cultures, and the collective relationship that individuals have with their own societies. In particular, the course will develop critical thinking about conflict resolution and civil rights
5. There is provision for structured and unstructured encounters with local people and customs in a variety of contexts The service learning experience and other cultural opportunities for experiencing local work life will open up opportunities for exploring future professional direction.
Texts:
All lectures will be delivered by PowerPoints which will be made available to the students on completion of the program
Suggested Reading:
Brian Dooley Black and Green: The Fight for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland & Black America (Pluto Press, 1989)
Christine Kinealy, War and Peace: Ireland since the 1960s (Reaktion Books, 2013)
Instructional Methods:
Lectures and seminars are held on various aspects of Irish life, culture, politics and history in which active participation is expected. A classroom culture of collaboration, constructive debate and team spirit will also be expected. This course will include regular field trips to introduce students to locations, organisations that are of relevance to the culture, including Celtic, Christian, Norman, 18th Century, 19th Century and 20th Century sites of importance. As the subject itself is interdisciplinary, this course will likewise be interdisciplinary, including topics such as Irish and Anglo-Irish literature, sports, arts and music. Peace Studies and conflict resolution is a core element of the classes. We are focusing on challenging the students to understand Irish life and cultures in its various complexities and culminating in each student undertaking an independent study on some aspect of Irish Culture.
FeesOur programs include all transfers from Dublin Airport, all tuition, field trips, admission charges, cultural and outdoor activities including equipment hire & wetsuits, breakfasts daily, Evening meal daily. All accommodation (shared basis- private accommodation available with supplement), supervision, guides, use of all facilities at Atlantic Apartotel, one night at Dublin Hotel.
Not included-
Airfare, Travel Insurance (compulsory), any activity marked ‘optional’, beverages, gratuities, lunches.
Accommodation is provided in apartments with full cooking facilities; free Wi-Fi, TV, dining & kitchen area. The Atlantic Campus includes sauna, Jacuzzi and small pool that is free for use by students, a large lobby area, teaching area, breakfast room and Irish Pub (used for cultural activities.)
Accommodation is two or three bed apartment with max two students per bedroom.
1 transfer for students (either day 13 or day 14) will be arranged for students to Dublin Airport. If the overnight stay is an optional extension, then students must arrange their airport transfer.
PROGRAM TIMETABLE PROVISIONAL
Global Perspectives on Conflict and Peace through the lens of Irish History & Culture.Morning / Afternoon / Evening
Wednesday 6 / Day 1 / Depart USA for Ireland
Thursday 7 / Day 2 / Arrive Dublin Airport. Transfer to Donegal Campus at 11am approx. Stop at Ireland/Northern Ireland border en-route / Arrive Donegal Campus. Check into Student Apartments. Orientation with staff - introductory meet & greet / 6pm Evening meal at local restaurant.
8pm Icebreaker activities with group.
Friday 8 / Day 3 / Breakfast 9-10am 10am Class 1: An introduction to Irish History and Culture. / 11.30am Field trip- Ancient Ireland- visit to the Karstic Landscape of the Cavan Burren / 6pm Evening Meal
7.30pm Gaelic Language Workshop
Saturday 9 / Day 4 / Breakfast 9-10am 10am Class 2:' From a Kingdom to a Colony' - the rise and fall of Gaelic Ireland. / 11.30am Visit to Ireland's oldest town, Ballyshannon- St. Patrick's Well & O'Donnell Castle Donegal Town / 6pm Evening Meal. 7.30pm Celtic Mythology & Arts workshop
Sunday 10 / Day 5 / Breakfast 9-10am 10am Activity- Beginner Surfing Lesson / 2pm 1pm Field Trip- Boat trip to Devenish Island Christian Monastic Settlement / 6pm Evening Meal 7.30pm Irish Ballads in 51 pub
Monday 11 / Day 6 / Breakfast 9-10am 10am Class 3-The road to catastrophe- Penal laws, famine and social justice / Visit to Famine Sites Ballyshannon & Castle Caldwell / 7pm Fish & Chip Supper at Page's Café
Tuesday 12 / Day 7 / Field Trip: Glencolmcille Folk Village & Sliabh Liag Cliffs / Field Trip: Glencolmcille Folk Village & Sliabh Liag Cliffs / Sliabh Liag Hike.
Wednesday 13 / Day 8 / Breakfast 9-10am 10am Class 4- The Irish in America -Emigration and assimilation in the USA. Visit departure points of Irish Emigrants Ballyshannon / 2pm Free Afternoon.
Optional activities include Horse riding on the beach, Golf, Kayaking. / 6pm Dinner
7.30pm Ancient Gaelic Sports: Hurling & Football
Thursday 14 / Day 9 / Breakfast 9-10am 10am
Class 5 Northern Ireland and the politics of Conflict Resolution. / 11.00am Visit to Derry City, Northern Ireland, including the murals of the Bogside and the medieval walls of Derry & the Guild Hall / 6pm Dinner
8pm Irish Movie 'Good Vibrations' set in Belfast in 1980s
Friday 15 / Day 10 / 08:30am Breakfast 09.30am Free Morning / Community Service Activity / 'Border Music' - a talk and performance of music from both communities in Northern Ireland
Saturday 16 / Day 11 / 'I was there' - workshop with members of the border communities share their experiences with the students. / Trip to Yeats Country & Sligo Town. / ISAI Ireland Table Quiz
Sunday 17 / Day 12 / Breakfast 7.30am 8.30am Depart for Dublin City; Check into Hotel. Lunch / Visit Epic Ireland Diaspora Exhibition / Free Evening.
Monday 18 / Day 13 / extra day stay
Tuesday 19 / Day 14 / Depart for USA