Overview

The University of Limerick - Summer Schools in Irish Studies

The University of Limerick’s Summer Schools in Irish Studies offer students the opportunity to experience Ireland through this worthwhile learning, social, and cultural program.

Students study one course option on a full-time basis over a three week period, with a choice of five courses across the areas of Irish Literature, History, Sociology, Media and Law, for 3 academic credits (6 ECTS). Social outings and trips are planned to give students a taste of life in Ireland and the chance to see some of the country's outstanding scenery. Trips to Dublin and to the spectacular County Clare coast are included as well as an End of Summer Schools Barbeque.

The University of Limerick offers challenging and enjoyable Summer School courses, which combine academic rigor with opportunities to experience contemporary life in Ireland and view some spectacular scenery!

Course Options

Students can study in one of the following courses:

Irish Life and Literature

Visual Culture in Ireland: 1400-1950

Sociological Perspectives on Irish Society

Screening Ireland: Ireland in Film and Television

Law in Ireland

Irish Life and Literature The Irish Life and Literature summer school comprises three linked streams which analyze and contextualize the culture, history and traditions of modern Ireland.   The first element utilizes an autobiographical approach to examine the distinctive features of Irish Literature in English.   This in-depth assessment of writers and their work is complemented by a stream entitled ‘Ireland during the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries’ which surveys the most important social, political and economic developments of the period. Themes include Ireland under the Act of Union; republicanism and loyalism; Catholic Emancipation; the origins and consequences of the Great Famine; the struggle for independence and the emergence of the Irish state.   The final stream will concentrate on Ireland’s traditional culture with particular reference to folklore, music and song.   This course will be of interest to students of literature, history, folklore, cultural studies and liberal arts.

Visual Culture in Ireland: 1400-1950 In recent years, Ireland’s art and its architecture have generated an unprecedented interest at both a national and international level as awareness grows of Ireland’s rich visual heritage. In examining Ireland’s visual legacy the Visual Culture in Ireland Summer School will look at what shaped Irish art and architecture, including the influence of political, social and cultural forces, and see how Irish art relates to major art movements in Europe through the following themes:   ART AND SCULPTURE ARCHITECTURE AND DECORATIVE ARTS FILM In addition, Limerick’s extensive Georgian heritage will be experienced through an excursion to the renowned Hunt Museum and a guided tour of the Georgian House, a restoration of one of Ireland’s finest Georgian terrace houses. This course will be of interest to students of history of art, history of architecture, film, visual studies, history, cultural studies and liberal arts.

Sociological Perspectives on Irish Society Irish society is continually being shaped and re-shaped by both globalizing and localizing forces. What has become known as the ‘new world order’ has led to a repositioning of Ireland in relation to Europe and the USA, both culturally and ideologically.   The course invites students to critically examine the workings of Irish society in the 21st century from a sociological perspective. Lecture themes will include Ireland: globalization and ‘glocalization’; multinational companies and their influence on and interaction with indigenous industry; recent demographic trends; media representations of ‘Irishness’ and of poverty, exclusion and inequality in particular in television and film; society, place and space: the perspective of experience; emigration, immigration and diaspora; women in Irish society; inequality and social exclusion in terms of class, ethnicity and gender; inequalities in health and education. This course will be of interest to students of sociology, social anthropology, social policy and cultural studies.

Screening Ireland: Ireland in Film and Television This course will offer an introduction to Irish cinematic and televisual culture. In particular, it will focus on how the notions of Ireland and Irishness have been represented by Irish and Irishbased directors in domestic TV and cinema production. Though no specialized knowledge of film or TV is required as a prerequisite, the course should be of particular interest to students of Irish Studies, sociology,history, media, literature and cultural studies.   TOPICS COVERED: • The history of Irish cinema • Contemporary Irish cinema • The critical description of cinematic artefacts • Cinema and Irish politics • The representation of the ‘Troubles’ in cinema • Landmarks in Irish cinema • Irish documentary making • Gender and Irish cinema • The sociology of the Irish media

Law in Ireland The Law in Ireland Summer School at the University of Limerick provides a concise but comprehensive overview of the Irish legal system. The School is divided into four sections: Section I • The institutions of the Irish state • The Constitution • Sources of law • Legal methodology Section II • European law • Civil or private law in Ireland-including contracts, torts, equity and trusts, land law, and business law. Section III • Criminal law • Crime, parties, offences, liability, and defences Section IV • Law-making and/or legal practice in Ireland.         Three excursions will also be organised, including a visit to the Irish Parliament or Courts in Dublin.   This course will be of particular interest to Irish Studies, politics, and pre-law students; no legal background is necessary.

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Academic Information

Available Courses

Five separate course options are available with 3 credits (6ECTS) being awarded on successful completion.

• Irish Life & Literature (History/Literature/Cultural Studies)
• Law in Ireland (Law/Politics/Sociology)
• Sociological Perspectives on Irish Society (Sociology/Cultural Studies)
• Screening Ireland: Ireland in Film and Television (Media/Communications)
• Visual Culture in Ireland 1400-1950 (Art/Art History/Film)

For more details about each class along with the text and reading list, please click HERE.

Summer Schools Assessment

Assessment Procedures for the Summer Schools in Irish Studies comprise two elements:

(i) a ten minute oral presentation in Week 2 or Week 3 (33.3%). The presentation may be given in any of the three streams of the course and will be graded on the basis of the text version (c. 1,000 words).

(ii) a two hour written examination on the Friday of Week 3 (66.6%). The written exam will consist of six general essay questions, two 'either-or' questions from each of the three streams, of which the student must attempt two in total.

The student will, therefore, be required to attempt questions in at least two of the three streams of each Summer School.

Regular University of Limerick External Examiners will also act as external examiners for the Summer Schools in Irish Studies.

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Location

Limerick (population 80, 000) is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland. Limerick is easily accessible by air, coach or train. The city is located 20km from Shannon International Airport. There are direct connections between Shannon Airport (SNN) and major cities in the USA, UK and Europe.

Limerick is renowned as a center of excellence for technology. It is home to the National Technology Park of Ireland and to many international electronics and other high technology firms.

Limerick offers its visitors an extensive range of attractions, museums and art galleries.

For sporting enthusiasts Limerick offers a wide range of sports from Gaelic games such as hurling and football to Limerick’s favorite sport, rugby. It is also home to the National Coaching and Training Centre of Ireland and Ireland’s first 50m Olympic swimming pool.

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Housing

Participants will be housed in on-campus accommodations at the University of Limerick, in apartment format with 6 single en-suite bedrooms (with private study area and internet access) in each apartment. Each apartment also includes a shared living area with kitchen and lounge with television.

Participants will also be able to make use of the excellent indoor sporting facilities (inc. 50 meter swimming pool) at the University Arena and the adjacent outdoor facilities.

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Orientation/Excursions

The University of Limerick hosts an on-site orientation to help students become acquainted with the university, the city, their professors, and the other students!

Three excursions led by qualified tour guides are included in your program fees. In previous summers, these excursions have included:

Limerick City & Environs
Dublin
West of Ireland

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What’s Included

• Transfers from/to Shannon Airport (SNN)
• B & B Accommodation On-Campus
• Lunch and Dinner each Day
• Membership of the University Sports Arena
• Free e-mail account at UL
• 45 hours class tuition
• 3 excursions with qualified tour guides
• Attendance Certificate
• Assessment and Transcript
• Receptions

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Course Catalog

Classes are offered in a wide range of subjects. To see if the classes you need are available at this university, review the course catalog:

Click here to view courses/subjects available at this university.

If you have any questions about course availability, please contact studyabroad@eurolearn.org

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Fees

Fee Includes

Fee Semester

Dates

Entry Requirements

EuroLearn Coordinator

Name: Rachael Fellabaum Title: Assistant Manager - EuroLearn Department: Semester or Year Abroad in Europe and Asia BIO: Rachael is the Assistant Manager for EuroLearn programs. She assists students with all inquiries as well as enrollment services. Rachael graduated with a BA in International Relations and Russian from Bucknell University. In addition to travelling to Australia, New Zealand, China, and Eastern Europe, she spent 18 months living and working in Moscow, Russia. Rachael is excited to help students have the opportunity to experience life abroad.