Course Description
The dynamics between the government and its challengers, with a special focus on the events surrounding The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Athena Title
Repress and Dissent
Non-Traditional Format
Offered every summer in Ireland as a study abroad course.
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students should expect to: (1) Have a strong understanding of the various theories explaining collective action against the government, the government's response to demands, the effects the government's response has on non-violent and violent methods of dissent, and how different types of intrastate conflicts end; (2) Be capable of describing the history of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, as well as the conflict's causes and consequences as they relate to general theories of repression and dissent; (3) Be able to understand and participate in the public debate over the issues raised in this class, both in Ireland and elsewhere; (4) Have an improved ability to make logical, convincing oral and written arguments.
Topical Outline
I. Individual Motivations for Dissent Theories of Individual Motivation; Grievances in Northern Ireland before The Troubles II. Collective Action and Mobilization Theories of Collective Action and Mobilization; Understanding non-violent protest; Pre-Troubles mobilization; and non-violent dissent in Northern Ireland III. The State's Response Theories of Accommodation, Co-option, and Repression; Understanding the UK's response to dissent in Northern Ireland IV. Understanding Violent Dissent Theories of intrastate violence onset and its relationship to state response; The Troubles and The IRA V. Understanding Terrorism and Other Violent Tactics Theories of Tactical Choice among Violent Groups; Terrorism, Outbidding, and Other Tactics by the IRA and the INLA VI. How Long Does Violence Last? How Does It End? Theories of civil conflict duration and cessation; The end of The Troubles and their aftermath