Dublin Summer Program
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This exciting 5.5-week summer program in Dublin offers students the opportunity to gain an understanding of Ireland across a broad spectrum of study and experience. The two courses incorporate elements of Irish history, literature, politics, culture and society, with co-curricular field excursions to Northern and Western Ireland to contextualize and deepen the experience. All students will take both courses, and the co-curricular excursions are compulsory.
Course 1: An Insight Into Irish History, Literature and Politics
Course 2: Irish Culture & Society
Northern Ireland Excursion
Western Ireland Excursion
Course 1: An Insight Into Irish History, Literature and Politics
This course aims to equip students with a basic knowledge of the primary historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the development of contemporary Irish socio/cultural identity. The course has 3 modules – Irish History, Anglo-Irish Literature, and the Political Landscape of Ireland.
The Irish History segment is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the broad sweep of Irish history from the earliest Stone Age inhabitants right up to the “Celtic Tiger” and economic boom of the early 21st century.
An introduction to Anglo-Irish literature focuses on the writings of such authors as W. B. Yeats, J. M. Synge and James Joyce. The aim of this course is to familiarize students with literary, social and cultural factors that led to the development of a body of literature that is of great importance in both national and world contexts.
The Political Landscape of Ireland introduces students to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It examines the contemporary political landscape in the Republic of Ireland by exploring topics such as political culture, the constitution, political parties, elections and the electoral system, the government and the Oireachtas (parliament), the position of the Taoiseach (prime minister) and Ireland’s position in the European Union.
The modules are interactive in terms of delivery by lecturers and participation by students.
Course 2: Irish Culture & Society
This course is designed to offer students an overview of the contemporary cultural landscape in Ireland. Its main objective is to critically examine current Irish cultural and societal preoccupations and to emphasize the relationship between culture, media and the formation of national identity. The primary objective is to provide students with a clearer understanding of the influences that have shaped and formed a dominant socio-cultural system in today’s Ireland.
This course is composed of 3 modules, namely, Irish Culture & Society, Economics, Peace & Conflict Resolution.
One of the key areas the course will address is Ireland’s status as a post-colonial nation. A major outcome is an understanding of social and cultural geographies, including: decolonization and the construction of identity, division and conflict, effects of globalization and the incorporation of multiple identities within present day Ireland. With the Peace Process in Ireland as a case study the course will provide perspectives on Mediating, Interpersonal & Intergroup Conflicts for a Sustainable Peace.
Co-Curricular Excursions
Northern Ireland Excursion
During a field excursion to Northern Ireland, students will visit Stormont Buildings, The Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly, An Culturainn (Irish Language Revival Center, Belfast) and participate in The Murals Tour.The first field trip is a visit to Stormont Buildings in Belfast, the home of the former Northern Ireland Government. Stormont Buildings is now the seat of the newly created Legislative Assembly.
Western Ireland Excursion
The second field trip involves a three-night stay in the West of Ireland. Students will visit the medieval city of Galway, followed by a full day tour of Connemara. On the final day students will travel to Rossaveal to connect with the ferry service to the largest of the Aran Islands.