Sam Houston State: Irish Literature and Culture in Ireland

Spend 15 days immersing yourself in Irish Literature and Culture with the country of Ireland as your classroom

• Get 6 credits (ENGL3370 and ENGL3338) through class sessions with Dr. Robert Donahoo, expert in modern and contemporary drama of the British Isles and Dr. Paul Child, expert in Restoration and 18th century literature.
• Explore the cities and towns of Ireland with visits to Dublin, Galway, the Aran Islands, and Sligo.
• Tour backstage at the esteemed Abbey Theatre in Dublin and Druid Theatre in Galway, with performances included at both theatres and at another Dublin theatre TBD.
• Enjoy spectacular views of the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most iconic scenery.
• Visit sites connected to some of Ireland’s most famous literary figures, including James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and William Butler Yeats.
• Traverse the varied landscapes of Ireland in buses, trains, ferries, and bicycles.

This program will be led by Dr. Robert Donahoo and Dr. Paul Child, in collaboration with a Performing Arts Abroad On-Site Program Coordinator (OPC). Dr. Donahoo is a professor of English at Sam Houston State University, where he specializes in Literary Theory and Criticism, and Drama. Dr. Donahoo has published many articles and won prestigious awards, such as a nearly $200,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. He received his B.A. from Baylor University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University. Dr. Child specializes in Restoration and 18th-century British literature, the early English novel, and research and bibliography. He has been the recipient of the SECS/Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies Research Grant and an NEH Fellow in the Summer Institute “Anglo-Irish Identities,” at the University of Notre Dame. 

Sign up to receive more information using the form below:

Apply: To submit your application, please complete the SHSU study abroad application page.

Dates:

• On-campus pre-trip class time: May 27, 28, May 31 – June 2, 2021
• Travel day: June 3, 2021
• Program in Ireland: June 4 – 18, 2021
• Final paper due: June 25, 2021

Ireland Itinerary:

Cost:

Deadlines:

• $300 deposit due within 1 week of acceptance into program (assessed upon acceptance)
• $1,000 payment due February 10th (assessed Feb. 5th)
• $1,000 payment due March 10th (assessed Mar. 5th)
• $1,440 Remaining Program Balance due April 10th (assessed April 5th)

Scholarships:

Apply for the CHSS scholarship here!

Apply for the English Department scholarship here!

For additional scholarship and fundraising ideas, please visit the PAA Scholarships and Discounts page or the SHSU Scholarship page.

Inclusions:

• 6 academic credits for ENGL3370 and other course
• Program activities
  • Dublin
    • St. Patrick’s Cathedral
    • The James Joyce Center
    • The Writer’s Museum
    • Shaw’s birthplace
    • Dublin castle tour
    • Abbey Theatre tour
    • Two theatrical performances (Abbey Theatre and one other TBD)
    • Literary pub crawl
  • Galway
    • Theatre tour (Druid Theatre)
    • One theatrical performance (Druid Theatre)
    • Day trip to Kylemore Abbey and Victoria Walled Garden
    • Day trip to the Cliffs of Moher
  • Aran Islands
    • Bike rental for full day of exploring
  • Sligo
    • Yeats Country tour
•  Transportation
  • Private group airport transfer upon arrival to and departure from Dublin
  • Taxi transfers to accommodations in all destinations
  • Public transportation passes in all destinations
  • Dublin to Galway one-way train
  • Galway to Aran Islands roundtrip ferry
  • Galway to Sligo one-way bus
  • Sligo to Dublin one-way train
• Accommodations
  • Shared rooms in budget hotels or highly rated hostels (may share a bathroom with the floor)
•  Meals
  • Breakfast provided daily at hotels
  • Group welcome and farewell dinners in Dublin
• Program Support and Administration
  • Pre-trip advising and preparation
  • Pre-departure guide
  • Pre-departure orientation meeting
  • PAA On-Site Program Coordinator (OPC) accompanying group on all scheduled program activities, available 24/7 throughout program
  • On-site orientation
  • Gratuities for tour guides, bus drivers and similar
  • Travel medical and accident insurance
  • 24-hour emergency support
  • Post-program support and arts career advising
  • Huge alumni network of performing artists

For more information on this program, please visit the “English in Ireland” page on the SHSU website.