Ireland Courses

English - Sally Donlon

ENGL 370/HUMN 300/HONR 385 – The Irish Lens: Ireland in Film & Lit

The Irish Lens: Ireland in Film & Lit leverages the expressive media of film and literature to examine the rich narrative tapestry of Ireland while exploring the lush literal landscapes of one of the loveliest and friendliest locations in the English-speaking world. You will gain on-location practice in how various literary texts function in cinematic translation and how both media are integral to understanding the current conception of Irishness. Ireland’s is a fascinating story . . . the literary and cultural evolution of a tiny island colony that threw off the yoke of Empire through revolution then turned on itself in bloody civil war only to emerge as the home of saints and scholars. The skills gained here though, will equip you to turn that dual lens on any other extended narrative of culture and place.

ENGL 328/HONR 385 – Beyond the Page: Travel Writing in Ireland

If you’re a creative writer, consider traveling to Ireland of the Welcomes for three weeks of craik, camaraderie, and fairly intensive practice in writing about stuff people love to read about . . . even if they don’t like doing it themselves! Travel writing can make us dream of packing up our belongings, scooping up our passports, and spending a week, a month, a year in a place anywhere other than home. Travel writing forces us to reflect on our travel and can open our minds to different cultures and possible ways of living, fostering more empathy for others and curiosity about the world around us.
Travel writing can be a good gig, too, AND a lot of fun but it’s a whole new ball game since the internet shook up the publishing world. You’ll see things so interesting you’ll want to write about them,you’ll practice making your writing better, and you’ll learn where your work will work best, too!

English – Shelley Ingram

ENGL 332/ANTH 320/HUMN 300 – Irish Folklore: Social Life

This course will introduce you to folklore of Ireland generally and Cork more specifically. Taking as its theme “Social Life,” this course will focus on the folklore of five elements of social life in Ireland: Music, Sport, Food, Faith, and Death. Come learn about Irish pipes and Irish butter, the Fairy Faith and the Irish wake. We’ll attend live traditional music and storytelling nights, cheer at a hurling match, eat our way through the world-famous English Market, visit holy wells and cemeteries, and, yes, kiss the Blarney stone at Blarney Castle!

ENGL 482(G)/ANTH 493(G)/HUMN 400(G) – Irish Beliefs of Sea and Land

The course focuses on both the deep structures of Irish myth and belief from the past and on the persistent traditions and cultural belief practices in the present, particularly as they relate to the sea, the land, and the weather. We’ll think about migration and twentieth-century sea travels as we visit the harbor city of Cobh, the final port of call for the Titanic; about the impact of belief and ritual for those who make their living through the land and sea as we visit Blarney Castle, local holy wells, and the Old Cork Waterworks Experience; and about the persistence of folk belief about the natural world through visits to the extensive University College

Management - Reese Benoit

MGMT 401/PHIL 314/HONR 385 – The Irish Perspective in a Globalized World

This course will take a unique look into how to strengthen one's ethical decision-making process with a special focus on the Irish perspective. From Medieval justice to civil wars, we'll be examining Ireland's history and how it factors into the country's ever-evolving ethical framework. Our two guides will be philosophers William Thompson of Cork and Edmund Burke of Dublin. Thompson was Ireland's first socialist, in addition to being a vegan feminist. Burke was the father of modern-day conservatism in the US. Through a variety of exciting excursions around the country, we'll learn just how different these philosophers' ideas were and how they could have come together to have a productive conversation using a shared ethics language.

MGMT 460/HONR 435 – Discovering the Magic of Irish Hospitality- Pubs and Beyond

Do you have what it takes to manage an Irish pub? Pubs are as essential to the Irish landscape as the green plains or the peat bogs. Come along and learn about the ins and outs of pubs, from beer production, labor, cultural expectations, and supply chain management. Identify concepts discussed in seminars through field observations of local spots. Pub hop through Cork and Dublin while recording your findings in a dedicated field journal. Sample local brews, chow down on hearty pub fare, and immerse yourself in the thriving pub industry. Explore and develop fresh ideas for your own Irish pub proposal through a variety of excursions across the Emerald Isle.

Music - Chris Munson

MUS 237 - The Impact of Irish Bands on American Pop Music: From Van Morrison to U2

Ireland has a rich and vibrant music history. Artists like Van Morrison, U2, Glen Hansard, The Cranberries,and many more have reached international fame and had a tremendous impact on countless American musicians. This course will introduce students to the biographies and music of some of the most successful Irish artists. Students will get to explore first-hand some of the most iconic venues and busking areas in Cork and Dublin where these artists cut their teeth. Through guided listening, lyrical analysis, and cultural exploration, students will gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the impact these artists have had on modern music in America.

MUS 481 - Understanding and Appreciating Fundamental Styles of Traditional Irish Music

Traditional Irish music has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries in what is known as an ‘aural tradition’. It has many distinctive instruments, forms, and dances associated with it. The course will introduce students to traditional Irish music and expand their awareness of its impact on traditional forms of music in the US including folk, country, and Cajun/Zydeco. Through guided listening, students will learn to identify many of the major characteristics of Irish music as well as some of the most iconic compositions. With a vibrant traditional music scene in both Cork and Dublin, students will have ample opportunity to enjoy live performance and dance, as well as interact with musicians in the area.