Faculty-led, world-focused

Penn State faculty-led programs offer students the guidance of trusted faculty, with the freedom to explore the world. Our faculty will create the ideal itinerary for you.

Representing the Irish Landscape is a program for students interested in the culture of contemporary Ireland and how its artists depict the Irish experience through visual arts and literature. Open to students at all levels of experience, the program includes courses in visual arts and Irish literature, and an interdisciplinary course in which the students respond to the Irish landscape. The Penn State faculty teaching the program will be joined by visiting artists and writers for special presentations.

Over the course of four weeks, the students will visit several Irish sites. The first site will be Galway, with its Atlantic coastline and Yeats' countryside. After Galway, the students will explore the County Clare area, the Boyne Valley, the Beara Peninsula, and Dublin. In Dublin, housing will be at Mercer Court, near the center of the city and close to museums and galleries. The schedule will include visits to museums, cultural events, and numerous historic and scenic sites.

Student accommodations will vary depending on location. Accommodations will include university housing and some private homes. All meals will be included when at Allihies. The students will be responsible for all other meals.

Courses Offered

The program awards 9 academic credits. The students are required to enroll in three courses appropriate to their academic level and area of concentration. All materials required for the art courses in Ireland will be provided. A final project, either in writing or visual arts, must be submitted by the end of the summer session.

English

ENGL 145 (3 credits) (GH;IL) Modern Irish Literature
ENGL 199 (3 credits) Foreign Study — English (prerequisite: ENGL 015 or 030)
ENGL 399/499 (3 credits) Foreign Study — English: Final Project
ENGL 404 (3 credits) Mapping Identity, Difference, and Place (prerequisite: ENGL 015 or 030)

Art

ART 199 Beginning Photography (3 credits) Foreign Study
ART 299 Intermediate Photography (3 credits) Foreign Study
ART 499 Advanced Photography (3 credits) Foreign Study

Explore Ireland's exquisite landscape with your camera and document its people, renowned for their warmth, humor, and friendliness. Develop your photographic skills and learn how to capture the spirit of place: Ireland’s rich history, memorable landscape, and remarkable people. Courses include individual and group critiques as well as lectures, demonstrations, hands-on photographic assignments, field trips, and an exhibition of student work.

Eligibility

The program is open to all students with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average. Applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited.

Faculty

Mark Morrisson is Professor of English and STS and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of English at Penn State. He teaches and publishes research on modern Irish literature and has led the Ireland program several times. He won Penn State University's Milton S. Eisenhower Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2004.

Steven Rubin, assistant professor of photography in the School of Visual Arts at Penn State, has traveled extensively photographing on assignment for prominent national and international media publications. His images have been published in The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, Fortune, Time, and Newsweek, and internationally in The London Independent Magazine, Stern, GEO, Focus, and L’Express, among numerous other venues. The recipient of many grants, fellowships, and awards, his photographs have been exhibited in galleries and museums both here and abroad. Professor Rubin will teach the studio art courses.

 

Expenses

The total program fee includes two components: tuition (9 credits) and a class fee (based on activities and location). All the students will pay the in-state tuition rate for 2010 Summer Abroad programs.

Expenses NOT covered are:

• passport
• personal expenses
• optional excursions
• round-trip airfare (approximately $1,000 plus tax)
• some meals
• textbooks and supplies
• digital camera (required) 

Estimated Tuition 

Out-of-state students will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate until the first day of the program. At that time the students' bursar account will be adjusted to reflect the in-state tuition rate of $613 per credit.

In-state students will pay tuition according to their standing and the Penn State tuition schedule.

Estimated $5,517 in-state/out-of-state

The University reserves the right to revise the schedule of tuition and charges without further notice. For more information on tuition, visit http://tuition.psu.edu.

Class Fee  

The class fee of $2,695 covers insurance, housing, some meals, texts, art supplies, admission to museums, excursions, transportation in Ireland, and administrative expenses.

Estimated Total Program Fee

The estimated program fee of $8,212 includes tuition as well as the class fee.

Financial Aid

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships Web page.

Refunds

All cancellations must be received by the conference planner, in writing, by mail or fax. Do not use eLion; it does not remove you from the course, and you will be held responsible for all fees. Full refunds minus the nonrefundable $1,000 application fee will be made for cancellations received at least thirty days prior to the first day of the program. Refund requests made after that time will not be honored, and the participant or sponsoring organization will be responsible for the fees.

Information Technology Fee: 1 to 4.5 credits, $78; 5 to 8.5 credits, $170; 9 or more credits, $230

For passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.

How to Apply

Financial Assistance: The Student Support Initiative for Penn State undergraduates enrolling in our Summer Education Abroad programs will continue for summer 2010. If you would like to be considered for such an award, please indicate this in the required short essay you will submit with your application. Include the reasons why you should receive financial assistance.

Submit your online application through Penn State Summer Abroad.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 18, 2010

Cancellation: The University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Access: Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the conference planner at 814-863-1738.

Space may be available after the application deadline. Please contact the conference planner to determine availability and/or to be added to the waiting list.

Contact Us

Regarding program content:
Mark Morrisson
English Department
The Pennsylvania State University
137 North Burrowes Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-3069 
E-mail: mxm61@psu.edu

Steven Rubin
Assistant Professor of Photography
School of Visual Arts
The Pennsylvania State University
8 Borland Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-3255
E-mail: sdr14@psu.edu

Regarding application process:
Carolyn Andersen, Conference Planner
The Pennsylvania State University
The 329 Building, Suite 213
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-1738
Fax: 814-865-3749
E-mail: ConferenceInfo2@outreach.psu.edu

Regarding financial aid:
Office of Student Aid
The Pennsylvania State University
314 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6301

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships Web page.