Drexel in Dublin + Amman: Summer Studies in Peace and Conflict
Spend the summer term on a learning voyage across both Dublin, Ireland and Amman, Jordan exploring the process of peace and the sensitive cultural and societal roots of conflict. Over a 9 week period, students take 3 courses designed to expose them to the theory and practice of peace keeping, peacemaking, peace building and conflict resolution in Europe and the Middle East, drawing on the rich history and experience of Ireland and Jordan. This program is open to all majors, but best suited for students with interest in peace studies, conflict resolution, political science, or the Middle East.
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- No language requirement. Prior studies in Arabic recommended.
- Sophomore, Pre-Junior, Junior
Courses
Students begin their learning journey in Dublin. to explore the methods, ideas, and principles which emerge from the efforts to manage and mediate intractable conflicts and arrange for students to meet and hear from, first-hand, Irish and U.K. players in this negotiation. They continue to Jordan using this framework to explore not only the Arab-Israeli conflict, but also conflicts involving Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq, and inter-tribal conflicts as well. Lastly, students participate in a 4 week intensive Arabic language course at the beginner, intermediate or advanced level. Classes are taught by experts in the field of peace studies, conflict resolution, and human rights.
Phase 1 Course taken in Dublin:
GST T380: The Life Cycle of Peace and Conflict: Lessons Learned in Northern Ireland (4.5 credits)
As a formal imperial power, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a nation intimately tied to the Northern Ireland conflict, the United Kingdom offers a unique perspective from which to study conflict at several levels. London’s vast political and cultural resources will be used to explore conflict development and transformation, the nature of political leadership in conflict, and the significance of “memory” in conflict.
Using Northern Ireland as a case study, students will examine burning issues in contemporary conflict resolution and raise questions to be addressed in Amman during the second half of the program.
Included:
- A three day excursion to Derry and Belfast, Northern Ireland (in the U.K.)
- Visits to Parliament
- Guest lecturers with prominent politicians
- Course-related film series
- Various guided tours of Dublin
- Meetings with the Irish Diaspora
Phase 2 Course taken in Amman:
GST T380: Conflict Resolution and Management: Beyond the Arab-Israeli Conflict (4.5 credits)
In order to understand Middle Eastern politics, an understanding of Arab culture and societal organization is essential. Intra-Arab conflicts play key roles in determining the regional political scene. Students should emerge from this course with a multi-faceted understanding of peace and conflict in the region.
Specifically, this course will address the impact of cultural and societal factors on conflict resolution and management, focusing on case studies across the Middle Eastern region. The well-publicized Arab-Israeli conflict will be addressed from multiple perspectives by experts with direct negotiation experience. Alternative dispute resolution techniques used in some inter- and intra-tribal conflicts will be examined, as well as some of the lesser-known but critical conflicts in Lebanon, Yemen or Iraq.
Included:
- Visits with tribal elders
- Guest lectures and visits with prominent figures in journalism and politics
- City Tour of modern and ancient Amman
- Northern Jordan, including Ajloun Castle and Jerash
- Biblical Jordan, including Madaba, The Dead Sea, Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site
- South Jordan, including Wadi Rum and Petra
Phase 3 Courses taken in Amman:
ARBC T180: Intensive Arabic Language (4 credits)
ARBC T180: Jordanian Arabic (2 credits)
Classes meet 5 hours per day, 5 days per week. Each student will receive 80 hours of instruction in Modern Standard Arabic and 20 hours of instruction in Jordanian Arabic. Arabic language level must be determined by Drexel's Modern Language Department.
Grading
Students will receive 19 Drexel credits and Drexel grades for this program.
2017 Phases and Dates
| Phase 1 - Dublin |
Phase 2 - Amman |
Phase 3 - Amman |
| June 11– June 23, 2017 |
June 23 - July 15, 2017 |
July 16 – August 13, 2017 |
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In Dublin:
The FIE Dublin program offers three housing options in three separate areas of the city. Depending on availability and the program you are participating in, you will be assigned an apartment or residence hall.
In Amman:
Students live with a Jordanian family. All participating families have been pre-screened from a database of qualified applications. Families usually host two students at a time and provide meals throughout the program. Families used for the program all have members who speak English, though for those students who have studied Arabic and want an Arabic speaking home, there are families where minimal English is spoken.
U.S. Citizens do not need a visa for Ireland or the U.K. U.S. Citizens will apply for and receive a Jordanian visa on-site at the airport. International students should contact their home country embassy for more information about visas to Ireland, the U.K., and Jordan.
Program Costs
2016 Program Fee (2017 TBD): $6,115
Students will be billed a program fee to cover housing and other miscellaneous costs
| Included in the Program Fee |
Not included in the Program Fee |
- Round trip flight Dublin-Amman-Dublin
- Comprehensive on-site orientations
- Class transport in Amman
- Wireless internet access
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Housing in Dublin (dormitory) and Amman (homestay)
- Meals in Amman
- Various course-related activities such as weekend excursions and field trips.
- 24-hour emergency support
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- Roundtrip airfare to Dublin
- Passport and visa fees
- Meals in Dublin
- Optional field excursions
- Personal expenses
- Independent travel
- etc.
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Financial Aid
This is a Drexel sponsored program so all of your financial aid applies. Students will be billed a program fee to cover housing and other miscellaneous costs. If you receive Federal Work Study, consider applying for the Study Abroad Online Journalist work study position (only available to students after accepted into the program).
Scholarships
The following scholarship opportunities are available for this program:
For more information on these and many other scholarship opportunities, visit our Scholarships page. Remember that scholarship deadlines may be much earlier than study abroad deadlines, so plan accordingly.
