Comparative History of Ideas: INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, Spring 2008

Identity, Memory, Conflict and Change

(Program dates: March 31, 2008 - June 03, 2008 -- 15 Credits

Sponsored by The Comparative History of Ideas ,

Status: Program has departed

Please Come to one of our INFORMATION SESSIONS with Director Susan Pitchford to find out more about the program.

**OCTOBER 10 AT 5:30 IN PADELFORD C-101

**OCTOBER 18 AT 6:30 IN PADELFORD C-101

Belfast, Northern Ireland is a perfect environment in which to investigate the relationships between identity, memory and conflict as well as the diverse attempts at dialogue and reconciliation among divided groups. A lively, walkable city with a thriving arts and music community, beautiful Georgian architecture, and plentiful shopping, Belfast is a rising star on the European scene. At the same time, Northern Ireland's troubled history is still literally and figuratively built into the landscape.

Although the Good Friday agreement of 1998 brought a cease-fire among the British army and the various paramilitary groups, and the formation in 2007 of a new government involving all the major political parties brought new hope for lasting peace, the population remains divided and traumatized by the violence of the past and the ongoing tensions of the present. Participants on this program can expect their image of Northern Ireland, as well as their understanding of community and nationalism to be challenged and possibly transformed.

Program Description

Professor Susan Pitchford (UW Sociology) will lead a class of approximately 16 students on a 9- week program in Northern Ireland during spring of 2008. Participants will develop a broad understanding of Irish and Northern Irish history and gain first-hand experience of life in a society that is struggling to realize hopes of reconciliation, after years of conflict.

Students will be housed in single dormitories at Stranmillis University, an affiliate of Queen’s University, Belfast. The campus is in a residential neighborhood, but within easy walking distance of downtown Belfast.

This program is open to students from all backgrounds. All students are encouraged to apply.

Curriculum

Curriculum:

During winter quarter, the group will enroll in a 2-credit, weekly pre-departure seminar (CHID 496). This seminar will provide basic background information on the historical and cultural context in Belfast, orient the students to the academic expectations of the program, and allow the group to get to know each other. Students planning to participate are strongly encouraged to take HSTEU 376 “Modern Irish History” (5 credits) during winter quarter as well, as preparation for the program.

In Spring:

SOC 462 Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations (5 credits)

This course will place the conflict in Northern Ireland into a larger context of group relations and group conflicts. Some of the themes to be explored include the formation and projection of group identities, the role of collective memory, stereotyping and the dehumanization of the enemy, discrimination, dialogue and reconciliation.

SOC 456 Political Sociology (5 credits)

This course will consist of a series of local guest speakers, who will apply the general ideas developed in the above course to the situation in Northern Ireland. Speakers will be drawn from a variety of academic and other sources, such as Queen’s University Belfast, The Institute for Irish Studies, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Mediation Northern Ireland and Healing Through Remembering.