[Irish Stone Bridge]

CARLETON COLLEGE IRISH STUDIES IN IRELAND

PROGRAM DATES

Summer 2011 (June 11 - mid-August 2011)

DIRECTOR

Michael Kowalewski, McBride Professor of English & Environmental Studies

Prof. Kowalewski has taught English and American literature for 25 years, both at Carleton and at Princeton University.  He has a special interest in literary regionalism and the cross-disciplinary notion of "place" in art and writing.  He has led four previous Carleton off-campus programs but this will be his first time directing the Ireland program.  He will be accompanied on the program by his wife Cathy and their three children.

PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites, but a previous course in literature is strongly suggested.

LOCATION

The program will spend a week in Louisburgh, Co. Mayo on Ireland’s West Coast, a month in Dublin, and a month in Belfast.

COURSE OF STUDY, 18 CREDITS

English 290: Irish Field Studies

(6 credits) S/Cr/NC

Students will do some pre-program background reading.  They will visit numerous sites of literary, historical and political interest throughout Ireland.  They will also design an independent project using research, writing, and images to display their knowledge of Irish literature and culture.

Instructor:  Michael Kowalewski

English 283:   Modern Irish Literature

(6 credits) 

We will explore Irish culture, history, politics, and art through a study of modern

and contemporary Irish literature. Authors read will include the poets William Butler Yeats, Patrick Kavanagh and Seamus Heaney; fiction writers James Joyce, Frank O’Connor and Glenn Patterson; and the dramatist Brian Friel.  We will meet with writers in Belfast and Dublin, as well as attend plays, readings, and lectures.

Instructor:  Michael Kowalewski

English 284: James Joyce’s Ulysses

(6 credits)

James Joyce wanted “to write a novel about Dublin so complete that if the city one day suddenly disappeared from the earth, it could be reconstructed out of my book.”  Did he succeed?  We will study Ulysses with Professor Kiberd, an internationally renowned expert on Joyce and Irish literature, editor of the Penguin edition of Ulysses, and author, among other works, of Inventing Ireland and Ulysses and Us.

HOUSING

Students will be housed in self-catering accommodations in all locations:  cottages in

County Mayo, dorms at Trinity College in Dublin and Queen’s University in Belfast.

FACILITIES

Arrangements are being made with Trinity College in Dublin and Queen's University

in Belfast for the use of libraries, classrooms, and administrative services.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Classes will normally meet Monday through Thursday mornings. Lectures, readings, trips, and plays may be scheduled at other times.

EXCURSIONS

Group excursions are likely to include trips to Croagh Patrick, Newgrange, the Aran Islands, literary sites in Dublin and Sligo, Belfast murals, Giants Causeway, and the Stone Circle of Beltany. In addition, we will attend plays at the Abbey and Gate Theatres in Dublin, the Feile an Phobail West Belfast festival, and other arts events.  There will be ample opportunity for individual travel and exploration within Ireland over weekends and during midterm break.

EXPENSES

Students pay the 2011-2012 Carleton comprehensive fee, which covers the costs of instruction, room, board, and all scheduled excursions. Students are responsible for the cost of books, personal expenses, transportation to and from Ireland, and personal travel during the seminar. Carleton summer term programs carry financial aid.

See the Off-Campus Studies Office or website athttp://go.carleton.edu/ocs for further information regarding work-study contracts, loans, and other subjects on financial aid.

REQUIRED LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The Carleton Ireland Program functions as a Carleton term of the academic year. Participants are normally required to take a leave of absence during the following winter term 2012; juniors should consult with the program director to plan for Comps. 

APPLICATIONS

Application forms are available from the Office of Off-Campus Studies, Leighton 119, or on the OCS website.

Completed applications are due to Michael Kowalewski on or before Friday, January 14, 2011.  Interviews will be a part of the application.  Notice of acceptance will be given before registration for spring term.

INFORMATION MEETING

There will be an information meeting on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 4:30 in Laird 211 to answer questions about the program

Students are invited to discuss their interest in the Ireland program with:

Professor Michael Kowalewski, x4323,

 mkowalew@carleton.edu

Naomi Ziegler, Assistant Director of Off-

Campus Studies, x4332, 

      nziegler@carleton.edu

Helena Kaufman, Director of Off-Campus

            Studies (x4332, hkaufman@carleton.edu)

IRELAND PROGRAM PHOTOS WITH CONSTANCE WALKER

IRELAND PROGRAM WITH JIM MCDONNELL

[White House][Carleton Students in Ireland]

[Students on Cliff][Irish Stone Gate][Carleton Students at College]