International Studies
Major End of the Semester Diversity Project

Northern Ireland

This document contains all the basic “need to know” information regarding this project. Keep in mind that this project counts for both a grade for this course and a major portion of your graduation standard associated with this course!!!!

Total Value – 250 pts.
Paper Value – 200 pts.
Work Value – 50 pts.
Due Date – Check your packet

Grading Rubric for the Paper –
25% Quality of Reasoning
25% Quality of Evidence
25% Quality of Conclusions
20% Historical Accuracy
5% Style

What are we writing about?

The conflict in Northern Ireland was one of the most tragic events of the twentieth century and despite reconciliation efforts, the area has remained conflict ridden and dangerous.

Your task is to write a paper detailing this conflict and must satisfy the following requirements in order to fulfill the Diverse Perspectives Graduation Standard:

1) You must provide a historical background for the problems in Northern Ireland. At a minimum, your paper must trace the events back to 1800 CE.

2) You must identify the major contemporary issues involved in the conflict. Be sure to consider economic, political, nationalistic, psychological, social and religious factors.

3) You must identify the diverse perspective among the key individuals, parties, organizations and Para-military. In addition, your paper must detail the views of the two major Northern Irish positions (Nationalists and Unionists). A better paper will include views of the Irish Republic, overseas Irish, and/or the world community.

4) You must propose a solution to the conflict. Obviously, this will not be easy as both sides make quality arguments.

Paper Specifications:

1) The paper must be free from spelling/grammar errors. Points will be deducted for excessive errors.
2) The paper must address all portions of the assignment.
3) The paper must be turned in on time.

Style Guide and Paper Structure Information:

When writing this paper, it is helpful to think of it as 4 separate mini-essays within the framework of one larger paper. Be sure to look at the pictorial descriptions, in addition, to these written instructions.

Major introduction – It is imperative that your grip your reader’s attention in the first 2-3 lines. After doing so, introduce the entire scope of the paper by touching on each of the four individual sections of the paper. Your final sentence should provide a quality transition to the first mini-introduction.

Mini-intro – History – Introduce only items pertinent to this particular section. Be sure to give your reader a focus for the information in this section and refer (one sentence) to the major introduction. Your final sentence should provide a quality transition to the first mini-introduction.

Body Section – History – Include all information in order to address thoroughly the question as outlined in your paper explanation. The format of the body section is at the discretion of the author, but your structure must be clearly identifiable.

Mini-conclusion – History – Summarize and conclude main thoughts of this specific section. In addition, include one sentence which links this paragraph to the “mini-intro” of that particular section and one which transitions to the “mini-intro” of the next section.

Follow this basic format for all four sections.

Major Conclusion – Summarize and conclude main thoughts from the entire paper. You should refer to each of the four sections and provide appropriate closure to the paper. In many ways this paragraph may look like a “mirrored-inversion” of the major introduction.

Helpful Web sites:

http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/index.html
http://www.academicinfo.net/histirish.html

Chronology of Ireland listing of dates and events by century

The Ireland Story has links to the complete history of Ireland, geography and maps, plus Ireland today, including contemporary issues!

Political analysis of the current troubles in Northern Ireland

Behind the Mask: The IRA and Sinn Fein. A well done documentary by PBS, including expert views on the conflict, inside the IRA and special reports about the conflict.

Irish Internet Pub links to political parties, political organizations, government sites and more.

Interpreting the Irish Famine, 1846-1850 This web site is a tremendous resource for information about the Potato Famine in Ireland between 1846 and 1850 and it provides commentary of this major historical event from a variety of viewpoints.

The Agreement This is the full text of the historic peace treaty for Northern Ireland. The agreement was passed by the people of both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic on May 22, 1998. Also known as the Belfast Agreement and, more popularly, the Good Friday Agreement.

Ireland's Troubled History A great overview from the Washington Post.

Bloody Sunday Lyrics to U2's song about a murder in Dublin on November 21, 1920. What can you infer from this song?

The Troubles refers to the period of violent conflict in Northern Ireland beginning with the Civil Rights marches in the late 1960s to the political resolution enshrined in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. During that time more than 3,000 people were killed, most of them civilians. From the BBC, explore the history of the period through articles, video footage, audio clips and photographs.

As you find other web sites, make sure to take a look at the author of the page. Who are they? Are they a noted authority in this area? Who is hosting the web page? What is the domain ending? Is it a university (.ecu) or government site (.gov)? A business or personal site? Be savvy researchers when deciding what information to include!

Don't forget that books are a great resource, too! The school library, as well as the Hennepin County Library have a number of resources.

Good luck!

Last updated December 11, 2003
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