Ireland summer courses

Global Studies/English 247A and Global Studies/English 247B
Prof. Eve Stoddard and Barry Carson
Dates: July 4 - 23, 2009
Program fee: $5,200. Airfare not included.

The program begins in Dublin, before traveling to the Boyne Valley, site of several major archaeological sites from the Stone Age, including the Hill of Tara and Newgrange, a passage tomb and UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition the place is the site of the 1691 Battle of the Boyne in which William of Orange decisively and finally conquered Ireland for the Protestant faith and set the course which led to the partitioning of Ireland in 1921. That conquest serves as the symbol in Northern Ireland of its union with the UK and the parades during July by the Orange Order have been a site of contestation between the major political factions in the North. We will spend about a week between Belfast and Derry talking with representatives of various groups on both sides, touring the murals of Belfast, and meeting with peace and reconciliation organizations. We will then spend a week based in Galway City, doing some hiking in Connemara, visiting the Aran Islands, and having lectures from Irish Studies scholars at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Students are expected to write a research.