FACULTY-LED FIELD-BASED INTENSIVE COURSE IN CYPRUS AND GREECE
Conflict Resolution and the “Cyprus Question”
Ethnopolitical Conflict
…unresolved
Rich and diverse cultural heritage
Hala Sultan Tekke, one of the most sacred Muslim sites
Historical Importance
The Parthenon in Athens, Greece
The Course Content: Conflict Resolution and the Cyprus
Question Timing: Spring 2012 Course Load: The course will be a six-credit
offering and will have two distinct components. There will be an in-class portion to be offered on
campus at Niagara University from January through early May (one meeting per month).
This will be followed by the field based component, in Cyprus and Greece, from May 16-30. Note: Graduation is May 13.
Cyprus on one side, Northern Cyprus on the Other
The ProcessPartner: For the travel component Niagara University
has partnered with Global Learning Semesters, who will plan the itinerary and in-country meetings.
Number of Students: Twenty students will be selected from an applicant pool to participate in the course.
Application Process: Application includes essays, letters of recommendation, evaluation of academic performance Applicants for the course will be required to write an
essay on a challenging cross-cultural experience in their life and to explain how they dealt with it and what they learned from the experience.
After Acceptance Students accepted into the course will be
required to submit all relevant forms including, but not limited to, Medical/Liability forms, Statement of Liabilities and Responsibilities, and Financial Aid Office documents.
They will also make a $1000 deposit upon acceptance into the program to hold their place in the course. Due by November 15, 2011
Global Learning Semesters GLS has offered study abroad opportunities in
Cyprus for many years; they are the most experienced and largest study abroad provider in the country.
Their program opportunities include international relations, international accounting, animal science, health science, geology, business, and a general immersion program.
Their connection to the University of Nicosia lends credibility to their organization, and provides facilities and resources that will benefit our students.
Student Housing on the Trip
GLS student housing in Nicosia is high-quality. The apartment-style dorm rooms, which hold 4+ students, are equipped with kitchen facilities. Students will be impressed with the quality of the accommodations. They are not in the center of the city but transportation is accessible.
While in Greece, students will stay in the Hotel Amalia. This small, Greek-owned hotel is reasonably priced and located adjacent to Parliament Square. It is minutes from the Parthenon, the Agora, the Olympiad, and is across the street from the National Gardens. Given its central location, and the historical significance of the surroundings, it is an ideal base for a short stay in Athens.
The Course… …is an introduction to conflict resolution,
peacemaking, community building, and dispute management.
Students will be introduced to community development theory, conflict theory, principles of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) strategies (such as negotiation, arbitration, adjudication, conciliation, and mediation), and the application of these concepts to the historical ethno-political conflict involving Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece.
We will examine the role of the European Union in facilitating peace, as well as the failures and successes of the peace process.
UNFICYP Force in Nicosia
Course ObjectivesThrough this course, students should be able to: Explain the major theories within the political science
subfield of conflict resolution; Write essay examinations that demonstrate
proficiency in explaining the concepts inherent in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR);
Conduct research (collect and analyze data) that demonstrates an understanding of the theories of conflict resolution as they relate to international politics;
Explain how countries differ in their political orientation, and offer an explanation for why and how these variations occur
Why Cyprus? Cyprus remains forcibly divided since 1974,
when Turkey invaded and occupied forty percent of the country’s sovereign territory.
The separation of Northern Cyprus—which is not recognized by international bodies as an official state—has had major geographic, political, economic, and social implications.
Buffer Zone—sandbags and razor wire
The UN and the EU The United Nations has adopted a series of
resolutions condemning Turkey’s aggression against Cyprus with little to no effect.
The European Commission and the European Court of Human Rights have cited Turkey for gross and systematic violations of human rights in Cyprus, again with little to no effect.
Turkish Cypriots have become isolated from the international community and are deprived of government services and other benefits available to all Cypriot citizens and members of the European Union—to which Cyprus (but not Northern Cyprus) belongs.
United Nations in Cyprus
The “Cyprus Question” The “Cyprus Question,” as the invasion and
subsequent occupation have been dubbed, is an ideal case for examining conflict resolution.
Cypriots, the European Union bodies, and the United Nations have argued that reunification of Cyprus is the only solution to the problem.
Turkey rejects such a solution. Because of ethnic and political divides, reconciliation
and reintegration are mutually advantageous but unlikely.
Separatist tendencies have been fueled by Turkey, who continues to use European Union membership as a bargaining chip for resolving the conflict.
Crossing into Northern Cyprus
A Protracted Conflict In the current situation, Turkey controls and occupies
nearly forty percent of the territory of the island of Cyprus.
Economic conditions are much worse in the North than in the South because of political and economic embargoes.
Although travel is permitted across the UN-controlled buffer zone, no trade or economic exchange is allowed.
In short, unless conflict resolution processes are effective, there is no end in sight to the division of the country and no answer to the “Cyprus Question.”
Geopolitics and Cyprus Its geopolitical position has tremendous historical
importance. It is at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East. As the easternmost country in the Mediterranean, Cyprus has been crucial for controlling access to the Suez Canal and sea trade.
A Rich and Varied History Cyprus has been controlled by the
Egyptians, Mycenaeans, Phoenicians, Assyrians, Persians, Ptolemies, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Franks, Venetians, Turks, and British. The colonial legacies persist into modern day and the culture is uniquely diverse because of these influences.
King Richard’s Coat of Arms at Kolossi
Cyprus’ Role in the EU As a member of the European Union,
Cyprus will assume the presidency in 2012. As a result, funds from the European Union are pouring into the country for improvement of infrastructure and development efforts.
Northern Nicosia
Ancient map of Nicosia
The Divided Capital of Nicosia As the capital city, Nicosia will serve as the “home
base” for our students in Cyprus. The city is surrounded by Venetian walls dating from
the 15th century, and is divided down the center since the invasion and occupation by Turkish troops in 1974.
As a result, there are many teachable opportunities about protracted conflict, politics and policies, ethno-political divides, and cultural differences.
GLS housing is a short taxi ride from downtown and is accessible on bus routes.
It is possible to reach all parts of the country in approximately an hour’s drive from Nicosia.
Green Line in Nicosia
Nicosia from above
http://www.globalsemesters.com/Cyprus.html
Itinerary—Meetings (Tentative) Students will have the opportunity to
meet with government officials from the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus.
They will visit the United Nations facilities and discuss peacekeeping with specialists.
They will meet with representatives from the US Embassy, the European Union offices, and from various non-governmental organizations.
Old city of Famagusta
Itinerary--Lectures Students will attend lectures by
professors from the University of Nicosia who are experts in the “Cyprus Question.”
Dr. Andreas Theophanous, Professor of Political Economy and Director of the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs at the University of Nicosia has agreed to meet with the students to discuss current events in Cyprus. This includes Cyprus’ role as President of the European Union in 2012.
Greek Parliament at night
Greece Because Greece is a key actor in the “Cyprus
Question,” students will visit Greece as part of their itinerary.
A visit to the Parthenon and the newly established Parthenon Museum will enable students to appreciate the historical significance of the countries they are visiting.
They will also be exposed to a major metropolitan center that has a very different feel and look from what they will experience in Cyprus.
The Olympiad
Athenian Agora, damaged by Ottoman troops
Beach in Larnaca
Cats of Cyprus
Church of Lazarus (his skull is preserved within)
Clean up after your dog…
Southern coast of Cyprus
Columns at the Parthenon
Cypriot Ice Cream Truck!
Top of the Agora in Athens
Dogs in Greece
More Athenian dogs…
Ministry of Education in Athens
Greek National Gardens
Greek Parliament
Across the salt lake
Northern city of Kyrenia
Kyrenia Castle
Kyrenia Harbor in Northern Cyprus
Kolossi Castle
Love wishes near birthplace of Aphrodite
Monastiraki markets in Athens (note the Parthenon above)
The elusive Moufflon—national animal of Cyprus
Small alleys of Nicosia
Downtown Nicosia
Walled city of Nicosia
Southern Nicosia from above
No diving
Turkish flags in Northern Nicosia
Olive tree at the Parthenon
The Olympiad is massive…
Olympiad facing the Parthenon
Parthenon
More details of Parthenon
Walls of the Parthenon
The Agora
Questions?