Location

Galway, Derry, Dublin, Ireland, United Kingdom

Program Description

Experience Ireland and its culture for four weeks while earning a combined 6 hours of course credits. Selected students will visit major landmarks and cities and come to appreciate Ireland’s rich culture and society by analyzing its films, media, and culture. During their stay, students will collaborate on a community and media based project in order to examine a locally relevant theme in today’s Irish society. Students will also examine the social and cultural context of Galway with a special focus on media, film, food, and music.

The program will provide students a special opportunity to help document the stories of local residents and their communities in Galway. Throughout the trip, students will also document the impact of their own journeys and experiences by creating reflexive content in various interactive media formats. This study abroad program is designed to help develop participant’s analytical, media, and cross-cultural skills while gaining a greater knowledge of Irish society, culture, and self.

SMAD 305: Documentary Storytelling: Students will document life in the city of Galway on the west coast of Ireland. Story ideas will sprout from myriad inspirations as we explore the vibrant art and food scene throughout our stay in Galway.

SMAD 398: Contemporary Irish Film: After a brief overview of the history of early Irish cinema, we will watch more contemporary films, primarily following the reestablishment of the Irish Film Board. Our examination of the historical, political, and sociocultural contexts in these films will culminate with attendance at Ireland's leading film festival, the Galway Film Fleadh. Since 2011, the Fleadh has been recognized as a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards Short Film Category. There will have an opportunity to volunteer at the Fleadh and will attend the opening and closing films and their accompanying galas.

HUM 251: The Changing Cultural Landscape of Ireland: The journey begins with Colum McCann’s TransAtlantic as the program navigates onto Irish soil. We will continue to learn about the Irish voice through the exploration of non-fiction and fiction texts while experiencing cultural heritage sites around the country. Students will be asked to reflect on their own perspectives and how they compare to the Irish texts used in the course.

Location Description

The city of Galway is located on the west coast of Ireland, right in the middle of the incomparable 1,600-mile long Wild Atlantic Way. Here, we'll stay in apartments in the city, which will be our hub for exploring the city as we listen to trad music, going on a food tour, and attending the Galway Film Fleadh.

From here we will launch day trips to the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, the Burren, and Dublin for a 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour and a visit to Trinity College.

We will travel overnight to Derry in Northern Ireland, UK for a Bloody Sunday tour and a visit to Giant's Causeway. The city has a long, colorful and at times troubled history, but today the city is in the midst of a compelling transformation into a more positive, creative and welcoming place.

Director

Joe Loyacano | loyacajr@jmu.edu | Media Arts and Design

Amber Loyacano | loyacaae@jmu.edu | College of Education

Accommodations

Housing will be provided and students will share accommodations in conveniently located apartments and hotels. All locations include free Wi-Fi and access to on-site kitchens.

The program will provide students with a weekly meal stipend, and several group meals will be covered as well.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.6

Sophomore, junior or senior standing

No prerequisites

Not open to non-JMU students