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Peace and Reconciliation and Social Work

Course Location: Northern Ireland
Course Dates: 17 days during late May and early June
Academic Credits: 6 credits in SOWK (3 in SOWK 493/693 and 3 in SOWK 499)
Academic Instructor: Dolly Ford, senior lecturer, Division of Social Work, West Virginia University

Course Description

Peace and Reconciliation Studies in Northern Ireland is particularly relevant for students studying social sciences, political science, communication studies, and other majors that require an understanding of communication models for building community consensus and resolving intense community conflicts.

This course examines different forms of public engagement including Public Deliberation and Sustained Dialogue. First, students will learn about conducting public deliberative forums where citizens can develop common ground for working together rather than having discussions that end in fractious debates. Additionally, students will learn Sustained Dialogue, a model developed by Dr. Harold Saunders, former Assistant to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Sustained Dialogue will be examined as a form of talk used to facilitate the resolution of deep-rooted conflict. Currently, sustained dialogue is being used on a number of university and college campuses to address deep-rooted issues and has been used in the international arena to address world conflicts.

While students are learning these two dialogic and deliberative methodologies they will also familiarize themselves with the political, historical, and cultural background associated with the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland. Students travel to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to examine communities now in a post-conflict era after centuries of conflict between the Catholic Nationalists and the Protestant Unionists. Students will examine the implications of social conflict on individuals, families, and communities and how such communities are using methods of dialogue and deliberation to further and maintain the current peace process. Students will meet, interview and interact with peacemakers, antagonists, victims, survivors, peace and reconciliation centers, former paramilitary and British military members, members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, as well as Members of Parliament at Westminster. In these interactions, students will be asked to view  the various positions with empathy. Additionally, students are asked to pay particular attention to the language used in and among the communities visited. This is not in reference to the English and/or Celtic languages, but what are the differences in the language used to describe the conflicts and/or peace process. Also, students will be expected to develop an understanding of how history and cultural differences can be used as both barriers against and instruments for change.

This course is a service-learning course offering. Upon returning to the U.S. students will fulfill a 40-hour service phase within their home communities by developing and implementing community dialogues. The aim of this service component is to apply what is learned through the academic and in-country experiences by creating a venue for public talk in one’s home community regarding what may be complex issues requiring difficult decisions that result in addressing the needs and desires of the whole.

Program Fee: $6123 (before 12/31)* $6373 (before 2/15)** $6623 (after 2/15) Apply Now

The Program Fee includes room and board, local programming, staffing, and transportation, university credits, international health insurance, a contribution to the local community organization, and recreational and cultural activities.

Students are responsible for international airfare, passports and/or visas, immunizations and any books or required course materials.

* Students who are accepted and hold their place with a non-refundable $500 deposit by December 31, 2008 receive a $500 tuition discount.

** Students who are accepted and hold their place with a non-refundable $500 deposit by February 15, 2009 receive a $250 tuition discount.