Location

Dublin, Derry/Londonderry, Galway, Ireland, Northern Ireland/United Kingdom

Program Description

Students enroll in in two courses (SCOM 395 and SCOM 413) for this 6-credit program that explores stories and communities of Ireland and Northern Ireland and reflects on the communication of conflict, place, and identity in the Irish context. While in Ireland and Northern Ireland, we will participate in class instruction and group learning activities, tour cultural sites, meet with experts of Irish history, and engage with local advocates and artists to better understand how the complexity of Irish conflicts and identities are experienced and remembered through storytelling. We will also have opportunities to explore the beautiful geographies of ancient lands, enjoy folk traditions and local fare, and interact with members of communities to dispel common American stereotypes of Irish culture. These interactive experiences present us with opportunities to later reflect on how complex social tensions of conflict and identity in the U.S. can also be expressed and understood through storytelling. Because of the short amount of time on-site, closing writing assignments in both courses will be due to Canvas at prescribed dates after the end of the program.

Eight weeks prior to the start of the program, students will be invited to also enroll in a preparation course, SCOM 295E, for an opportunity to earn an additional 1-credit (CR/NC) by completing short viewing and reflection assignments on Canvas, and attending 3 in-person meetings with the group to orient to the program. The online modules in SCOM 295E provide resources regarding travel customs of Ireland, introduce important social and political tensions of Ireland's past and present, and promote thoughtful discussion of place and identity as lived and storied experiences.

Location Description

Trinity College in Dublin serves as our opening site for dorm accommodations, classroom lectures, museum tours, and discussions of conflict and identity in Ireland’s history. We then move to the ancient walled city of Derry/Londonderry, the second largest city in Northern Ireland, where we meet with local experts, artists, and educators to learn how communities attempt to remember, heal, and rebuild from tragic violence through memorials, folk traditions, and storytelling. Organized tours of Donegal and Giant's Causeway provide opportunities for us to enjoy nature’s beauty and witness how communities try to manage tensions of growing tourism industry, encroached ancient lands and beaches, and evolving changes to the social landscape brought about by Brexit. We then move on to Galway for a short stay in apartments. Class time here is used to reflect on storied conflict in our own lives, with free time to enjoy local music and fare and explore nearby sites, such as the Cliffs of Moher. We return by coach bus to Trinity College to close out our class learning experience and enjoy local activities. Expect the daily weather to be generally cool and possibly wet (with highs in mid 60’s and lows in 50’s), the natural settings to be beautiful, and the people to be friendly.

Director

Carlos G. Aleman | alemancg@jmu.edu | SCOM

Melissa W. Aleman | alemanmc@jmu.edu | SCOM

Accommodations

We stay in college residence housing while at Trinity College, Dublin, and in hotel/apartment accommodations while in Derry and Galway. Students share their accommodations at all locations with 2-4 occupants, with no more than 2 persons per room. Accommodations at Trinity College and Galway include shared living space and a full kitchen. Accommodations at all sites includes free Wi-Fi internet access and private bathrooms and showers. There is on-site access to laundry facilities at Trinity, as well as commercial laundry services available at all sites for a reasonable cost. Secure public transportation to and from Dublin International Airport, and to all program locations and sites will be arranged by your program directors and is covered by your program fee.

Students will receive modest meal stipends that will cover approximately 14 meals per week, typically lunch and dinner. There are many options for dining at all locations, but students should plan to spend their own money on light snacks and make use of kitchen accommodations.

Additional Items to Consider

Students should plan to arrive and meet at the Dublin International Airport by 12:00 noon on May 30. From there our group will ride local airport transit directly to accommodations at Trinity College. Travel to Derry/Londonderry, Galway, and back to Dublin will be by coach bus. The currency in Northern Ireland is the British pound; the currency of the Republic of Ireland (Dublin, Galway) is the euro. Meal stipends will be allocated in pounds or euros, depending on location. A laptop computer and cell phone are required for completing assignments on-site. Wi-Fi is available at no charge at all housing accommodations. International roaming on U.S. cellular phones for Ireland can be costly, so you should see your cell phone provider for the international packages. We will be walking on cobblestone during many of our city tours and on some rugged terrain at Giant's Causeway and other and historic areas, so it is recommended that you bring sturdy, comfortable shoes.

This program is ideal for anyone interested in learning more about the culture and history of Ireland. It is also very well suited for students with an interest in studying the communication dynamics of conflict, and the importance of personal stories and cultural narrative, from any number of perspectives including cultural and interpersonal communication, justice studies, advocacy, community building, family studies, religion, and politics. While SCOM 394 and SCOM 413 can be used to fulfill 300-400 elective requirements for undergraduate students majoring or minoring in Communication Studies, you do not need to be an SCOM major or minor to appreciate or contribute to the learning experience.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0.

Open to all majors and class levels, including graduate students.