Comparative Criminal Justice Systems in Ireland & Northern Ireland

This hybrid program will explore historic and contemporary approaches to criminal justice in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the United States. Students will begin and end the quarter doing coursework in Tacoma. During the 22-day study abroad portion of this program, students will also have opportunities for group and self-directed cultural exploration in cities including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Derry, and Belfast. Students will tour historic jails, interact with local and national police and social service agencies, and explore dynamics of political violence and domestic/international terrorism associated with the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland.

The “Comparative Criminal Justice Systems in Ireland and Northern Ireland” study abroad program is intended to provide students with an opportunity to explore multiple aspects of criminal justice and related systems, policies, and practices. This particular version of the program will focus on three major thematic areas, each aligned with one of the courses associated with the program. First, students will focus on policing in the United States, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Prior to departure for Ireland and Northern Ireland, students will study these dynamics in U.S. contexts. While studying abroad, students will engage local and national law enforcement agencies and officials to discuss similarities and differences in policing practices, including an exploration of unarmed (Ireland) and armed (Northern Ireland) police practices. 

The second thematic area is aligned with the comparative criminal justice course. Students will learn about and engage the theory and methodology of comparative criminal justice as an academic endeavor and then apply them while studying abroad in Ireland and Northern Ireland across multiple dimensions of criminal justice systems. This will include tours of historic jails, interactions with faculty and students at universities, and meetings with social service providers. Students will engage in deep reflective practices through journaling entries guided by transformative learning principles and comparative analysis.

The third major thematic area is linked to the course on terrorism. Prior to departure, students will explore terrorism as a national, international, and global phenomenon. We will use “the Troubles” (a more than three decade long period of significant political unrest and violence) as a case study in terrorism. While in country, students will visit sites of significant terrorist activity associated with the Troubles, interact with individuals directly and indirectly impacted by terror during this period, and learn about previous and ongoing strategies of restoration and truth and reconciliation.

This study abroad program is taught by professors Diana Falco and Jeff Cohen from UW Tacoma.

Academic Content

This program does not have any prerequisites or language requirements. Students receive a total of fifteen credits for the program as follows:

TCRIM 370: Police and Society (5 credits)

This course examines the role of law enforcement within the U.S., Irish and Northern Irish society, emphasizing history, public perceptions, administration, organizational culture, ethics, and police deviance.

Learning Goals Include:

• Examine and analyze the social control and investigative function of police within societal, legal and constitutional frameworks
• Evaluate the theories of policing and critically assess existing research regarding policing practices
• Interpret historical contexts and frameworks to inform and explain the growth and change of the police function as a reflection of societal demand
• Differentiate between practice and pattern of police behaviors and assess the effectiveness of societal, legal and organizational accountability mechanisms to control police actions and deviance
• Critically examine the impact of internal police cultures, public perceptions and societal bias on police actions in order to define the consequences and articulate ethical solutions.
• Differentiate between various styles of policing and policing organizations and examine their impact and success in policing diverse communities.
• Investigate the impact of socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, mental disabilities, gender and gender roles on police practices with the goal of assessing outcomes and consequences.

T CRIM 272: Restorative Justice (5 credits)

This course explores the philosophical underpinnings of restorative justice as well as its application as a complementary and alternative approach to criminal justice processing. Students will analyze the effectiveness of restorative justice for resolving harm through directly engaging victims, offenders, and communities. 

Learning Goals Include: 

• Identify the basic components of restorative justice; 
• Read, evaluate, and disseminate empirical research regarding restorative justice; 
• Apply the basic components of restorative justice to the assessment of current practices among criminal justice and related community agencies;  
• Engage in introspective analysis regarding restorative justice and its implications for the self, community, and CJ systems. 

TCRIM 450: Comparative Criminal Justice Systems (5 credits)

This course examines the design, function, and legal basis for non-U.S. criminal justice systems. Engages cross-cultural analyses of the connection between governmental, political, demographic, and economic factors in explaining historical and contemporary trends. Compares and contrasts non-U.S. and U.S. criminal justice systems. Includes a study abroad component.

Learning Goals Include:

• Critically analyze principles of criminal justice and criminology and apply them to the country(ies) under study.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the social, political, cultural, and ethical context of criminal justice reform in national and international contexts.
• Evaluate the relative merits of innovative and/or alternative models of justice as practiced in the country(ies) under study.
• Compare and contrast U.S. systems of criminal justice with those operating in the country(ies) under study.
• Demonstrate sufficient critical self-awareness to understand the influence of personal biases and values when interacting within countries outside of the U.S.
• Engage in informed discourse related to criminal justice systems within the U.S. and abroad.

Program Schedule

The program runs from September 29-December 17, 2021 with October 28 - November 18 spent abroad. Coursework will take place at UW Tacoma September 29-October 27 and after the program returns on November 19.

Housing and Food

Students will be staying in youth hostels, private apartments and commercial hotels as they move to five different cities within Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Galway) and Northern Ireland (Belfast and Derry). Hotel rooms will be double occupancy, and in hostels 4-6 students will be sharing a room. Daily breakfast and a few group meals are included.

Student Eligibility

While the course work and credits for this program are for criminal justice, this program is open to all students on the three UW campuses.

Application Deadline

Applications are due on February 15, 2021. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by March 1, 2021. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by March 15, 2021.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to Europe.

Visas

No visa or other paperwork is required for U.S. citizens. For international students, the Office of Global Affairs is not responsible for obtaining visas for your travel. You can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be travelling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $3,920. 

Included in the cost of the program:

• $450 Administrative Fee
• Instruction
• Housing and some meals
• Program activities and program travel

Not included:

• Airfare
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks

Payment Due Date: October 16th, 2021

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $450 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 15, 2021 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.