Ireland Today: Politics and Society
About the Program
The program is designed for students interested in observing Irish society firsthand and analyzing their experience within the context of cultural, political, and economic issues in contemporary Irish society. "Ireland Today," offered by UMass Boston Political Science and History Departments in cooperation with The University of Derry and Inch House Irish Studies Centre in Ireland, allows participants to earn up to six undergraduate credits.
The program focuses on the culture, politics, and history of Ireland - both in the Republic and in Northern Ireland. By examining significant historical events, cultural developments, and political issues, students in the program will gain a comprehensive picture of this divided island, past and present, and examine the current role of Ireland in the European Union.
Structure
The program consists of two parts. The first week of the program, June 12 -June 15, students will spend in intensive preparatory study through lectures and seminars on the UMass Boston campus, led by UMass Boston professor. Weeks two and three, June 21 - July 1, participants travel to Ireland for in-country study based at the Inch House Irish Studies Centre in County Donegal. Thus strategically located, with ready access to Belfast, Dublin, and western Ireland, students will be able to experience a wide array of life in Ireland.Daily activities in Ireland will include seminars by distinguished Irish scholars at the Inch House and at the University of Ulster in Derry. Seminars will be supplemented by visits to sites of political and cultural significance in Belfast, Dublin and other historical sites in Northern Ireland. Particular attention will be paid to the conflict resolution affecting the divided society of Northern Ireland. Students will also be able to avail themselves of evening cultural and social events including traditional music concerts, poetry readings, and theater performances.