Ireland in History and Memory

Republic of Ireland: Spring 2023

At a Glance

Faculty Leader

Sean Williams

Location

Small seaside village in County Donegal

Duration

4 weeks of travel

Credits

16

Language of Instruction

English and Gaelic 

Lodging 

Shared rooms with bathroom in dormitory; shared kitchen

Single or Multi-Quarter

Multi (Fall 22 - Spring 23)

Previous Experience

Participation in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 Ireland in History and Memory required

Program Description

This is an upper-division program in the humanities and performing arts, with a focus on Irish history, expressive traditions, Irish-Gaelic language, and culture. 

At the beginning of the program, students receive a basic introduction to Ireland and to issues of liminality, historiography, and distinctions between linear and cyclic thought. Students then spend several weeks on the culture of ancient Ireland, focusing on indigenous local culture, bardic traditions, and gender issues. The second major segment deals with the development of Christianity and the English conquest of traditional Ireland, including a week on the Famine and subsequent evictions and political unrest. The final three weeks of fall quarter are about the National Irish Literary Revival and the urbanized political chaos of turn-of-the-century Dublin. Winter quarter begins with post-colonial Ireland and continues with a month of studies on Irish America. An exploration of the Troubles in Northern Ireland follows, and the quarter concludes with the contemporary cultural explosion from the final decades of the 20th century into the present.

Spring quarter features study abroad in the Republic of Ireland. We will live in a small seaside village in County Donegal and experience learning-by-doing: studying the Irish language (Gaelic), poetry, natural history, dance, folklore, archaeology, cooking, and music. Our teachers are all local artists, writers, musicians, and native Gaelic speakers. Students will also have the opportunity to experience solo travel if they choose to do so.

Program activities will include lectures, seminars, films, readers’ theatre, Gaelic language lessons, poetry, music, reading texts, and group discussions. Two integrative papers about ancient Ireland are required in fall quarter. In winter quarter, students will write a longer integrative essay focused on the Irish in America. At the end of spring, each student will develop a significant integrative essay (20-30 pages) detailing the links between the theory of Ireland – on the page and stage – and the practice of Ireland in real life. Lastly, the students will divide into small groups to create collaborative performances for the final week of each quarter; they are the main expressive assignment beyond singing, playing musical instruments, and performing in readers’ theatre events.

For a description of the full academic year (Fall 22 - Spring 23) program, view the course catalog.

Global to Local Involvement

Evergreen’s Center for Community-Based Learning (CCBLA) can help you find opportunities to engage with the community and build upon your skills developed/strengthened in Ireland. 

Total Cost

Evergreen Tuition + Fees + Variable Costs = Current Tuition + about $5,200 (varies from $4,350 - $5,750)

Fees

Charged to your student account

Expenses Amounts
Program Fee $1,800
Admin Fee $150

What does the program fee include? 

  • Lodging for 4 weeks in Gleann Cholm Cille, Donegal
  • Instruction from organizations in Ireland

What does the admin fee pay for? Faculty travel expenses and support from International Programs & Services

Variable Costs

Not charged to your student account

Expenses Estimated Amounts
Roundtrip Airfare $600 - $1,200
Meals $800
Two nights room and board in N. Ireland $150 - $300
Personal expenses/activities (includes laundry) $200
Health Insurance & Immunizations $150-$300
Passport Fees $200
Transport to/from Gleann Cholm Cille and Dublin  $50
Pre and post program travel $500
Estimated Variable Total $ 2,150 - $ 3,550
Image
grass
Grass Weaving
Image
By the Sea
Group Photo
Image
Drumming
Drumming
Image
Student Projects
Student Projects

Questions or Concerns?

Academic-related or location specific: email the faculty, Sean Williams at williams@evergreen.edu

General study abroad or cost: email Brynn Smith at brynn.smith@evergreen.edu