This course is divided into three parts: (i) Historical Context, (ii) the "Conflict", and (iii) the "Peace". The historical context explores some of the key events that led to the conflict and the current situation in Northern Ireland. This part begins with a look at the British plantations and settlements throughout Ireland, Britain's first colony. The historical context reviews some of the laws imposed upon Ireland to subvert Irish heritage and culture, such as outlawing the Catholic religion and the Irish language as well as taking away Irish Catholic civil rights. The course reviews the conquest of Cromwell, the rebellions of the Irish, such as the United Irishmen, and the laws imposed on the Irish by the British in response. The course explains the Act of Union, which made Ireland part of the United Kingdom and took away Ireland's Parliament, Ireland's desire for self-determination, the 1916 Easter Rising seeking independence, the partition of Northern Ireland from Ireland and the Irish Civil War of 1922. The Conflict portion reviews the current dispute between the various political parties in Northern Ireland and the groups they represent: nationalists (who want to reunite Northern Ireland with Ireland) and unionists (who want to keep Northern Ireland separate from Ireland and united with Britain). The Conflict also reviews the use of physical force (violence) to achieve these goals versus constitutional, peaceful means (the ballot box & dialogue). The Peace portion discusses the various agreements and movements among Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland from 1922 to today to stop the violence and to bring peace to Northern Ireland, as well as Britain and Ireland. The course also coves current events in Northern Ireland, such as ongoing elections and other governmental, political, social and cultural issues.
Course Component