This study abroad program in Northern Ireland will be offered through A.C.E. and taught and led by Dr. Nancy Burgoyne. Preliminary applications to be reviewed starting January, 2010. For specific information, interested students should contact Dr. Burgoyne at nburgoyne@gmail.com or visit www.globalstudiesmedia.com.

Registration and Credit: Dr. Burgoyne has taught this course, for university credit in the past at both the University of Washington and Seattle University. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange credit with his or her department; however, ACE will provide any needed documentation or answer any questions for university departments as they make credit decisions. Every effort will be made to assist the student, prior to the beginning of the course, with his or her department. Students will have a reading packet distributed at the first meeting. We will also have a "live-meeting" with students in Belfast. The course will be capped at 20 students. Everyone is welcome to apply but must have the permission of Dr. Burgoyne.

Course Description: This course is designed to help students understand the roots of conflict and the experiences of people living in a divided community. We will connect with university students in Belfast and discuss their perceptions of what it is like growing up in a divided community as well as their opinions about the Arab-Israeli conflict and the walls that are rapidly being built to separate the Palestinians and Israelis. Some of the places the students will visit include; the "peace walls," the policing board, leaders of the Protestant community, leaders of the Catholic Community, the parliament building, the University of Ulster, (Derry) or (Londonderry), the American Consulate, and Sinn Fein headquarters. We will also have a host of distinguished speakers covering topics such as integrated education, ex-political prisoners who participated in the blanket protests, the BBC's portrayal of the conflict, and experts paralleling the current war in Iraq with Northern Ireland. We will compare and discuss the Arab-Israeli conflict from a British and Irish perspective and have selected speakers. The trip will culminate in a day of interviewing and filming as a final project. Students will be expected to attend the classes prior to the trip with their assigned readings completed. There will be a midterm and a final prior to the trip and a final paper due at the end of the trip

The Director - Nancy B. Burgoyne, Ph.D.: Dr. Nancy Burgoyne earned a doctorate degree from New York University in Political Science. Much of her work and research is focused on international media, U.S. foreign policy and global conflict. Nancy spent five years teaching at the University of Maine in the Political Science department. She also worked on political campaigns for candidates in Maine, designing sample data and polls for state elections. Since moving to the Northwest she has taught at the University of Washington and Seattle University. She has also taught study abroad in Northern Ireland for both the University of Washington and Seattle University. She is co-director of the Foundation for International Health Care Assistance (FIHCA), a non-profit organization specializing in health care assistance in the developing world. She has organized and led conferences on international media, conflict and global opinion. She is currently finishing a book on conflict and post conflict societies including Northern Ireland, the Middle East and Cyprus. Nancy heads The Institute for Global Studies and Media, which is focused on international media analysis as well as study abroad programs at the university level. She is a board member for Associates in Cultural Exchange, and holds other board positions as well. She is a member of various professional associations including Women in International Security. Nancy is an active member of her community and is involved in weekly volunteer work with youth as well as other charitable activities. She is married with three children.

Travel Expenses: The cost of the trip will be approximately $3,800. This will include lunch each day, 3 dinners, all of the sites, speakers and bus transportation. Students will need to pay for their own airfare, dinner (all but 3 nights.)

Links: Resources for studying conflict

Photo Gallery: Click here to view our photo gallery of Northern Ireland.




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