Unit information: Northern Ireland: a case study in ethno-national conflict and resolution in 2020/21

Unit name	Northern Ireland: a case study in ethno-national conflict and resolution
Unit code	POLI30034
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Neil Matthews
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This module will examine the case study of Northern Ireland. Students will critically assess the origins, nature and dynamics of the ethno-national conflict in the region and the approaches, factors and circumstances which led to its resolution. The course will also consider the contemporary socio-political landscape in ‘post-conflict’ Northern Ireland, including outstanding legacy issues and obstacles to reconciliation. Through engagement with the Northern Ireland case-study, the course will cover key concepts and debates in the wider field of peace and conflict research and will also consider the potential ‘lessons’ (both positive and negative) other deeply divided societies might learn from the Northern Ireland case.

The aims of the unit are:

• to provide students with an in-depth critical and theoretical understanding of Northern Ireland as a case study of ethno-national conflict and resolution
• to enable students to develop their skills in critical thinking and writing
• to enable students to communicate their ideas in a coherent, clear and concise manner, both orally and in written form

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the origins, nature and dynamics of the ethno-national conflict in Northern Ireland
2. Demonstrate a clear understanding of how the Northern Ireland conflict was resolved
3. Evaluate the debate surrounding power-sharing and conflict resolution, both from a comparative perspective and in the specific case of Northern Ireland
4. Understand the contemporary socio-political situation in Northern Ireland and assess the prospects for reconciliation in the region
5. Critically reflect on the lessons (both positive and negative) that the Northern Ireland case might hold for other deeply divided societies

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities

Assessment Information

2,000 word essay (25%)

3,000 word essay (75%)

Both assessments assess all of the Intended Learning outcomes listed above.

Reading and References

David Mitchell (2015) Politics and Peace in Northern Ireland: Political Parties and the Implementation of the 1998 Agreement (Manchester: Manchester University Press)

John Whyte (1990) Interpreting Northern Ireland (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

John McGarry and Brendan O’Leary (1995) Explaining Northern Ireland: Broken Images (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

Rick Wilford (ed.) (2001) Aspects of the Belfast Agreement (Oxford: Oxford University Press

Feargal Cochrane (2013) Northern Ireland: The Reluctant Peace (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press)

Paul Dixon (2001) Northern Ireland: The Politics of War and Peace (Palgrave)

Jonathan Tonge (2014) Comparative Peace Processes (Cambridge: Polity)

Rupert Taylor (ed.) (2001) Consociational Theory: McGarry and O'Leary and the Northern Ireland Conflict (Oxford: Routledge)

Jonathan Tonge (2004) The New Northern Irish Politics? (Basingstoke)

Joseph Ruane and Jennifer Todd (1996) The Dynamics of the Conflict in Northern Ireland: Power, Conflict and Emancipation (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)