Travel through the History and Culture of Ireland
This sixteen-module program is an innovative, interactive program for students who wishes to enhance their cultural competency and global awareness. The certificate awarded on completion of this course will be a valuable add-on to a resume. Each module is delivered through a 20-minute video, which includes lectures, outdoor site visits around Ireland, interviews with experts and guests from Ireland and the USA, and there is a short assignment at the end of each module which is done by smartphone, in the form of a 2 minute video.
How the Global Perspectives Program works
The Global Perspectives program uses the history and culture of Ireland, past and present, as a platform for an intensive comparative study across the disciplines of history, literature, social justice, environment and sustainability, business, politics, social studies and leisure.
The program consists of 16 themed modules, and each module includes a lecture on a specific topic, guest contributions, site visits and a guide to class assignments. The final module is an interactive professional development discussion. Assignments can be optional or compulsory, depending on the course. Assignments are in the form of short video uploads by the student. This is very easy for them. Each module also comes with a reading/resource list. The program can be customized for any group of users, and timetabled to suit your school schedule. While it is a fully online program, we usually schedule at least two live webinars.
Any questions or issues? Email us [email protected]
Online Lecturer
Dr. Niamh Hamill is the primary lecturer for this series of classes. Niamh is the Director of the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland and a lecturer in comparative Irish studies. She has a PhD in History from Drew University NJ and an M.A. in American Studies from University College Dublin.
Niamh is head of the academic department at ISAI and drafts the syllabi and curricula for visiting student groups. The syllabus for the Global Perspectives program was selected in consultation with academic colleagues across the U.S.A to maximise the development of cultural competency and critical thinking.
Guest Speakers
We have many interviews and chats with a range of experts, lecturers and guests who have first-hand knowledge and experience of our topics- this includes Dr. Paula Meehan, former Professor of Poetry Ireland (pictured), Professor Christine Kinealy, Quinnipiac University, Professor Liam Kennedy, Professor Diane Negra, UCD, Senator Eileen Flynn, Niall O'Dowd, Don Mullan, Úna-Minh Kavanagh, Femi Bankole, Ailbhe Smyth, Captain Bartley McFadden, John O'Connell, Rory Fallon, Conor Donnan, Syliva Rios& more. We also have site visits to many places of interest in Dublin, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim & surrounds.
Evaluation
Dr. Melissa Whatley is an assistant professor of international and global education at the School for International Training's Graduate Institute .
Dr. Whatley has built in an evaluation method to the Global Perspectives through the Narratives of Ireland using the Global Perspective Inventory (GPI). The GPI is a survey instrument developed at Iowa State University (https://www.gpi.hs.iastate.edu/) that measures three dimensions of global learning: cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. For the ISA evaluation, students complete the 32-item GPI at the beginning and at the end of their program to measure progress over the course of their virtual experience.
Outcomes & Objectives
This course is designed to help students develop their critical and comparative thinking skills. It is designed to help them develop cultural competency, and then to be able to articulate their perspectives on some of the major cultural themes of our time. It is designed for students who cannot take a study abroad course, or who are afraid of study abroad courses, or who are not inclined or interested in global studies, and our aim is to change that mindset. It also works very well as a pre-trip class for students who are going to travel. The major outcome we aim for is to give students confidence and curiousity about the wider world.
Learn about our shared narratives
Ireland's multifaceted history includes narratives of colonization, displacement, emigration, civil rights movements, conflict resolution, peace building and the challenge of building better in the 21st century. All of these events provide us with excellent material for comparative and critical thinking about ourselves, our community, and our past, present and future
Empathy, Cultural Competency and Knowledge
Each of the modules in this course are based on core values of empathy, cultural awareness, social justice and environmental responsibility. Students engage with each of the classes through creative assignments that will develop intercultural skills and global experiences. These are invaluable tools to take with on your future or current career path, but more importantly, make you a more informed and educated world citizen.
Global Learning - a small step to the world
You may not yet have had the opportunity to travel or study abroad, but we hope that this program will encourage you to consider it. The world is full of exciting and interesting places and people. Ireland is a tiny example of all that happens outside of your country, and it will provide you with a friendly introduction into things we have in common, and the differences in our cultures. This is the beginning of a beautiful adventure!