Four Week Study Programme
Four Week Study Programme Information - 2025
Dates: 3rd June to 27th June 2025
Search for CF31 Occasional Study Abroad Summer Programme (Four Weeks)
Module 1: Ireland in the World (5 ECTS Credits)
This interdisciplinary module will explore Ireland's interaction with Europe and the wider world from ancient to modern times. As a small island on the edge of Europe, Ireland has cultivated global links for centuries through the Roman Empire, the spread of Christianity, Celtic and Viking influences, Norman and English settlers, political and religious allies in Europe and through outward and (more recently) inward migration.
Lectures and seminars in this module will examine Ireland’s economic, religious, linguistic and political encounters with other nations through trade, colonisation, exploration, migration and exile. Cultural, artistic and literary exchanges will be discussed through specific case-studies highlighting key themes relation to global encounters from a range of time periods. On-campus tours to cultural repositories will include analysis material from the National Folklore Collection and UCD Special Collections. Related cultural visits will be scheduled for EPIC museum, Dublin Castle and Glasnevin Cemetery.
Learning outcomes:
- Students will learn about key ideas and concepts in historical, cultural and political ideologies in Ireland and overseas
- Students will work with multidisciplinary sources and texts and develop skills of critical analysis and interpretation
- Students will participate in active learning both on and off campus through specified activities and tasks
- Students will develop independent research and analytical skills
- Reflective writing skills will be practised and developed
Assessment: 30% Report on cultural site visit, 20% Specified learning activities, 50% Reflective Learning Journal
Module 2: Performing Irish Identity (5 ECTS Credits)
This multidisciplinary module will explore how Irish identity is ‘performed’ through a range of cultural practices and traditions. With over 70 million people worldwide claiming Irish decent, the expression of Irish cultural identity has a global impact and influence. Case-studies and examples will draw on current scholarship in the fields of art, film, literature, manuscript production, music and dance, sculpture, sporting initiatives, storytelling, theatre and other cultural activities.
Lectures and seminars in this module will explore how these cultural practices have changed and developed over time and space in response to political, social and cultural conditions. Practice-based workshops introducing students to traditional music and dancing, drama, sport and literary analysis will be a central feature of this module. On-campus tours to cultural repositories will include UCD Poetry Reading Archive. Related cultural visits will be scheduled for MoLI Museum, National Museum of Decorative Arts, National Gallery, Irish Traditional Music Archive and Croke Park.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will learn about key ideas and concepts related to Irish cultural practices and traditions
- Students will work with multidisciplinary sources and texts and develop skills of critical analysis and interpretation
- Practice-based workshops will provide opportunities for active learning and development of new skills
- Students will develop critical thinking and analytical skills
- Presentation skills will be practised and developed
Assessment: 30% Review of cultural event, 20% Specified learning activities, 50% Research presentation
Hear from One of our Past Students:
'The lectures and discussions of Irish history and culture were absolutely fascinating. I really appreciated the chance to learn more about Ireland, its past and its present, through the more casual lessons we had each day. Hearing from visiting lecturers who were speaking about their area of expertise or simply a passion project of theirs made our meetings particularly engaging. The best part of the program for me were the weekend trips and our afternoons in the city. I loved getting to visit wonderful museums like EPIC and simply walking around (or taking the bus) was a really cool way to see Dublin. The trips to the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway were also incredible. Ireland is so beautiful and I loved getting the chance to go outside of Dublin and into other cities and its natural spaces. I also loved the freedom we were given to explore Dublin and hang out with each other, as we all quickly became close with the other people in the program, especially those that I shared a living space with. There was a really nice energy to the group and it made the program really fun and exciting.' Clare Ferrell (Irish Studies Summer Study Abroad Program 2022)