Description

The Society, Conflict, and Peace study abroad program in Northern Ireland at the Institute of Irish Studies at Queens University Belfast is appropriate for students from a variety of social science disciplines that are well prepared academically for direct matriculation. The program is also ideal for students wishing to take courses in the area of conflict studies and related fields and who wish to participate in the rich campus life of a large and globally renowned university. A member of the Russell Group of the UK's 20 leading research-intensive universities, Queen's is recognized as one of the very best universities in the UK and Ireland.

Academic Program
This program provides a unique opportunity for students interested in the political, social, cultural, and ethno-religious diversity of Ireland to engage with these issues in an exciting and ever-evolving environment at the Institute of Irish Studies at the Queen's University Belfast. CIEE students choose four courses among Queen's University courses and one CIEE course, Politics and Sociology of Northern Ireland.

Academic Culture
Queen's University has a vibrant academic environment which supports its world-class innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration between research and education. Queen's University combines the best of tradition with a progressive outlook. It is an institution with a world-class academic reputation as reflected in the award of a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2006, the fourth time the University has been honored in this way. Queens is on the three-term system. Actual classes in the fall term end in mid-December but exams don't take place until mid- to late January. Alternative assessment in mid-December is already a university-wide policy for study abroad students. The spring term takes place from early February through early June. European lecture styles differ significantly from that in the U.S., and some U.S. students may find this to be an issue in terms of adjusting to a new educational environment. CIEE teaching staff and professors in other courses at Queen's University are conscious of this and prepare students during orientation and throughout the semester. Class size is under 30 students for most classes. However, large lecture courses could contain up to 200.