King’s Announces New Study Abroad Program in Belfast

From June 16-30, 2018, The King’s College is excited to pilot a unique study abroad opportunity to the historic city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Up to twenty-five students will travel with Dr. Anthony Bradley to Stranmillis College of Queen’s University Belfast, where they will participate in a course in Peace and Reconciliation, exploring the culture, politics, and religious history of Northern Ireland. Dr. Anthony Bradley from The King’s College will be on site to facilitate the program for King’s students.

Study abroad opportunities through The King’s College are intentional and strategic, focused on engaging ideas, learning about institutions, and connecting with people of influence. The Belfast trip, like the other trips, presents up to 25 high-achieving King’s students with the opportunity to explore an urgent question of public policy — reconciliation between groups with a long history of conflict — in a culturally rich and academically rigorous setting.

For decades, Belfast was rife with religious and politically charged violence, but the ongoing efforts of peacebuilders have finally transformed the city into a vibrant and flourishing cultural center. This course allows students to explore that peacebuilding and reconciliation work in its context within the city of Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland. Students will spend time in local communities, hearing first-hand accounts of the history, faith and culture of this beautiful but wounded country. In addition, students will explore concepts of truth, mercy and forgiveness in relation to reconciliation, while acknowledging and discussing the challenges that Northern Ireland continues to face as a result of its troubled past.

The course will be taught by Stranmillis faculty and a number of guests, and will include visits to important regional sites throughout Belfast along with classroom instruction. Speakers will include local historians, politicians, church, police and community leaders, journalists, artists and musicians, all of whom will present their perspective on the historical rifts in Northern Irish culture and share ideas about how to bring about change and unity. Students will be housed in Stranmillis University College dorms near main the campus of Queen’s University, and meals will be provided in university dining halls.

King’s students who attend will earn three hours of academic credit, issued by the prestigious Queen’s University Belfast. For students in the Religion, Theology, and Society major, these credits can count as an elective. The course will also fulfill the international study requirement for students pursuing an International Affairs minor.

Applications for the Belfast Study Abroad opportunity are due at the end of the business day on Friday, February 2, 2018. Students with questions should reach out to Dr. Anthony Bradley at abradley@tkc.edu.