Fonds 21.09 - Irish Studies Program (ISP)

The Irish Studies Program (ISP) officially begun in 1998 as an off-campus study abroad program with a focus on conflict and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. ISP provided a full-semester program of five courses offered during the months of April to July. This program was offered in cooperation with the Institute of Irish Studies at the Queen’s University in Belfast with the assistance of the Canadian Embassy in Dublin. During the last eight weeks, students studied in Belfast and Dublin, as well as visiting cities in Northern Ireland including Derry, Coleraine and Ballycastle.

The study program combined classroom instruction and dialogue with individuals from both sides of the conflict and included meetings with political leaders from England, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In addition, students met with reconciliation groups and activists, religious leaders, security forces, militants, and members of community-based organizations.

Dr. Craig Seaton, professor of sociology and psychology was director of the program. Since 1988, Seaton visited Northern Ireland and in 1992, 1993 and 1995 lead TWU student groups to the area.