Irish Culture

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Literature of Ireland

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Armstrong Atlantic State University
Irish Links
Study Abroad in Ireland:
Economics & Literature
24 May - 9 June 2006

NATURE & PURPOSE OF
THE IRISH STUDIES PROGRAM
Students will study Irish literature in current and historical settings as a foundation for understanding the Irish people and the impact on Irish society of the rapid economic growth of recent decades.

Before departing for Ireland, students will complete readings on the Irish economy, Irish history, and Irish literature.  Locations to be visited will include both commercial centers (e.g., Dublin and Galway) and economically less-developed areas (e.g., Sligo and the Aran Islands), including literary locales that offer insights into the social, political, and economic history of this divided island nation. 

Students will focus on how the literature and history of Ireland illuminate issues arising from its entry into the European Union and its recent economic expansion. 

DATES

QUALIFICATIONS

ITINERARY

COURSES

ESTIMATED COSTS

TUITION & FINANCIAL AID

LODGING ARRANGEMENTS

PASSPORTS

                         
DATES
The application deadline is February 1, 2006.   Only a limited number of spaces are available, so students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible: applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Program dates.  Tentative plans are to depart from Savannah International Airport on the afternoon of May 24, 2006 (with arrival at Shannon Airport on May 25) and to depart from Dublin on the morning of June 9 (with arrival in Savannah early in the evening that same day). 

QUALIFICATIONS
Program participants must be at least 18 years old.  Students must have a GPA in good standing and must meet pre-requisites or have permission of the instructor(s) for the courses for which they register.

ITINERARY
Please contact Dr. McGrath (mcgratri@mail.armstrong.edu) for a detailed itinerary.

COURSES
Students must take at least three semester hours of academic work and may enroll for six hours of credit. All courses are three-hour courses.   The following courses are scheduled for the Irish Studies Program in 2006:

Economics
ECON 4020    Special Topic: Irish Economy & Literature
ECON 3950    Independent Research

History
HIST 4920       Seminar in European History
HIST 4831       Independent Study in European History

Literature
ENGL 4700      Advanced Composition
ENGL 4900      Independent Study of a Major Irish Poet, Playwright, or Novelist
ENGL 5550U  Contemporary Literature of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic

ESTIMATED COSTS
$2,800 (estimated program fee) plus personal expenses (recommended: at least $600) and AASU tuition (which may be covered by scholarships or other forms of financial aid).  Payment deadlines will be posted here by late November, 2005.  Program fees will be confirmed no later than the first week of March, 2006.

The program fee covers:

• Round-trip economy-class flight to Ireland.
• Ground transportation throughout Ireland.
• Travel by boat to the Aran Islands.
• Lodging in hotels and hostels offering family-style rooms with bath en suite.
• Meals (usually breakfast) as included in accommodations.
• Health insurance and international student identity cards.
• On-site support provided by two AASU faculty members.
• Entrance fees to castles, museums, and other historical and cultural sites.
• Group excursions.
  
  The program fee does not include tuition, excluded meals (usually lunch and dinner), independent excursions, passport and related expenses, spending money, laundry, or other costs beyond those listed above. 
  
  Students should plan to budget a minimum of $600 for extra meals, clothes, gifts, calling cards, souvenirs, and evening entertainment. If students plan extended travel or major shopping, additional funds should be budgeted.

All costs are subject to change because of unanticipated increases in airfare or other program elements or fluctuations in monetary exchange rates.   The program directors will make every effort to keep program costs as advertised and will inform prospective participants of any changes as they occur.

TUITION and FINANCIAL AID

Courses in the program are part of the regular course offerings of Armstrong Atlantic State University; therefore, students may apply for any loans and grants for which they would normally be eligible.  Students must meet all campus requirements in applying for financial aid. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Georgia students who enroll in this program are also eligible for scholarships sponsored by the University System of Georgia and the American Institute of Foreign Study.  More information on these Regents Study Abroad Scholarships can be found in the Office of International Education at AASU. 

LODGING ARRANGEMENTS

In Dublin, Galway, and other locations, students will lodge in nationally affiliated hostels and hotels offering family-style rooms with bath en suite.

PASSPORTS 

All visitors to Ireland must have a valid passport.   Participants who have   expired (or nearly expired) passports should have them renewed.  Participants who have never had a passport should begin the process of obtaining one immediately; it may take as long as six to eight weeks to get a passport.  In Savannah, passport applications may be obtained from either the Main Post Office (2 North  Fahm Street, 30401) or the Oglethorpe Station (1348 Eisenhower Drive, 31406).  If you are from outside of Savannah, check with your local post office for information on where to get application forms and directions for obtaining a passport.   Holders of U.S. passports do not need visas to enter Ireland.