Academics
Faculty      Courses

Courses
Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.

Required Courses
These courses provide a solid background in Irish culture and society and enable students to gain a thorough understanding of modern Ireland as preparation for their internships.

For the first six weeks, students take two required core courses. Students in the Health Science Track take the Ethics in Health Care course and all other students take the History of Ireland course. All students are required to take the Contemporary Irish Society course.

Either:

CAS HI 325/PO 381 History of Ireland
Required. This course provides an introduction to the trends, themes and debates that have shaped modern Irish history. Each lecture focuses on one or two themes in the history of modern Ireland, examining the background to these themes and investigating the impact they have had on Irish society. The course primarily focuses on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, but where necessary events in earlier centuries are referred to and explained. Among the topics examined are Ireland’s relationship with Britain, the constitutional and revolutionary traditions in Irish nationalism, the political and economic development of the Republic, the role of religion in the independent Irish state, the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ and the role of sport in Irish culture. Connolly. 4 cr. Syllabus

Or:

SAR HS 422 Ethics in Health Care
(Offered in the fall only)
This course provides an introduction to ethics and common ethical issues in health care. Lectures will address several topics specific to biomedical ethics, including end of life issues, reproductive technologies, and issues in biomedical research. These issues will be used to examine ethical reasoning, ethical theories and principles, and the use of cases and narratives in ethics. Special attention will be paid to developing skills of ethical analysis through an examination of philosophical arguments. When appropriate, any distinctively Irish dimensions to the ethical issues or cases will be examined. 4 cr. O’Mathúna. Syllabus

And:

CAS SO 341 Contemporary Irish Society
Required. Provides students with an understanding of modern Ireland, its people and its role in the 21st century. The course starts with a brief overview of Ireland’s location in the world and a snapshot of those strands of Irish history that contribute to the character of the modern nation. Topics covered include political structures, including the Constitution, the system of government, and the political party system; the social structure of Irish society, including demography, emigration/immigration, class, family, and the urban/rural divide; and social government in Ireland, including the education system, religion, popular culture, social protection, and health. Byrne. 4cr. Syllabus

Elective Courses
Students choose one of the following during the second half of the semester, to be taken in tandem with their internships.

CAS EN 392 Modern Irish Literature
Introduces students to the rich heritage of modern Irish literature. Beginning with the work of the literary revival of the late 19th century, students investigate the literary achievements of such seminal figures as Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, James Joyce, Elizabeth Bowen, and Samuel Beckett. In the latter part of the course, students read some of the most exciting contemporary Irish literature, including the poets Seamus Heaney and Eavan Boland, and selected dramatists and novelists. Key recurring themes will include the importance of literature in fashioning and re-imagining the national identities; the relationship between literature and politics; and the role of the writer as social critic. Shanahan. 4 cr. Syllabus

CFA AR 340 The Arts in Ireland
Offers students the opportunity to study and experience the most vibrant aspects of the visual and performing arts in Ireland. The first part of the course provides an introduction to the scope and history of Irish traditional music as well as to the Irish theatrical tradition. Field trips and guest lectures are arranged. Part two of the course introduces students to the visual arts in Ireland. Students examine the Celtic Era, the development of Modernism in the latter half of the 19th century, and works from the 20th century to the present day. Topics covered include landscape painting, architecture, sculpture, photography, and conceptual art. Sean Corcoran (Performing Arts - Theatre) Padhraic Egan  (Performing Arts - Music) Eimear O’Connor (Visual Arts) 4 cr. Syllabus

COM CM 415 Mass Media in Ireland
Introduces students to the Irish media, with a concentration on print journalism, television, and film. In each of these areas, the course examines the historical development of the media, its role in Irish social history, and the contemporary issues and debates surrounding it. Each course topic is contextualized sociologically and theoretically. Flynn. 4 cr. Syllabus

Internship Courses
Students enroll in a four-credit internship placement. The course number will depend on the field of specialization in which the students complete their internships. Placements are contingent upon the students’ past experiences, professional interests, and available opportunities in any given semester; flexibility is essential. Syllabus

CAS AH 505 Internship in Arts/Architecture
CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
CAS HU 425 Practicum in Arts
CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics
CAS PO 453 Internship in Comparative Law
CAS PO/IR 455 Internship in International Organization
CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services (internship for the Health Science Track)
COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Radio/Television
COM JO 411 Internship in Journalism
SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration

The internship course comprises four major components:
a) An internship portfolio detailing internship experiences
b) A project, the topic of which is determined by the students and the academic advisor, and is relevant to the host organization
c) Attendance and active participation in seminar and work-related activities
d) A supervisor's evaluation


Internship Areas

Please note the following are examples of past internship placements only. While BU International Programs guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed.

Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
Work in marketing, public relations, design, and presentation for specific advertising agencies or public relations departments of larger organizations. Past internship placements have included Ogilvy & Mather, McConnell’s Advertising Service, Quintessentially, and Presence Communications.

Arts/Arts Administration
Work in music, dance, literature, architecture, education, visual arts, or multimedia for architectural firms, museums, theaters, performing companies, or galleries. Past internship placements have included the James Joyce Centre, the Gallery of Photography, the National Museum of Ireland, and the Improvised Music Company.

Business/Economics
Work in the finance, accounting, legal, marketing, information technology and telecommunications, and research departments of Irish or multinational corporations as well as smaller, specialized firms. Past internship placements have included Citigroup, Bank of Ireland, Cúram Software, JP Morgan, Citco, Free Hotspot, Bella Makeover, and XS Direct.

Film/Radio/Television
Work in writing, research, and broadcasting for radio and television stations, or film and production companies. Though the Irish media market is small by American standards, past internship placements have included Gillian Reynolds Casting, TV3, Subotica, The Farm, City Channel, the North American Sports Network, and R.T.E.

Health/Human Services
Work in hospital rehabilitation, therapy, or education programs; health center administration; social service departments; community care centers; or social activist organizations. Past internship placements have included the Royal Hospital Donnybrook, the Coombe Women’s Hospital, the Solas Centre, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, and Release Speech Therapy.

Hospitality Administration
Work in the hospitality industry in such fields as hotel and restaurant management or event management. Past internship placements have included the Westin Hotel Dublin, the Four Seasons, Xena Productions, and The Helix.

Journalism
Work in writing, research, design, marketing, and production for magazines, newspapers, or small publishing houses. Past internship placements have included The Sunday Tribune, Hot Press, and The Dubliner.

Politics/International Relations
Work with an NGO, the press, humanitarian organizations, or a political party. Past internship placements have included the Institute of European Affairs, Fine Gael, Amnesty International, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Fianna Fáil.

Pre-law
Work in research and documentation for local Dublin law firms specializing in civil, criminal, or corporate law. Past internship placements have included Philip Lee & Associates, HSBC, Terence Lyons & Co Solicitors, and the Free Legal Advice Centre.

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Faculty

All Ireland faculty hold adjunct appointments at Boston University.

Frank Byrne, Lecturer, Contemporary Irish Society
CAS SO 341
N. T. (National Teacher Training), BA (Irish, English and Philosophy), H. Dip. Ed., MA in Culture and Communication studies.  Having spent 38 years as a teacher and 14 of those as the Principal of a Comprehensive School, Frank Byrne has now embarked on a full-time Ph. D. programme.  His area of research is the part played by phone-in radio programs in the democratic discourse of modern Ireland.  In addition to his career as a teacher, he has also been a freelance radio producer with the national broadcaster, R.T.E., throughout the 80s.  He has also written radio drama for children.

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Caroline T. Connolly, Lecturer, History of Ireland
CAS HI 325/PO 381
Caroline T. Connolly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (History, Sociology and Political Science) from the National University of Ireland, Galway and a Masters degree in Irish history from University College Cork. She is now undertaking full time doctoral research at Dublin City University on the history of one of Ireland’s oldest regional newspapers ‘The Connacht Tribune’. Her research is investigating the newspapers role in the development of the Galway region during the first four decades of the twentieth century. Her chief research interests include Irish history and media history.

Sean Corcoran, Lecturer, Arts in Ireland (performing arts component)
CFA AR 340
Sean Corcoran has an MA in Drama and Theatre Studies from St. Patrick's College in Dublin. His Thesis was on American Drama focusing on David Mamet and his place on the American Drama Spectrum. Sean is also preparing to pursue a Doctorate in the area of American Drama.

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Padhraic Egan, Lecturer, Arts in Ireland (musical component)
CFA AR 340
Patrick Egan, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, is an assistant principal and the head of the History Department at Riversdale Community College in Blanchardstown.  He was a contributor to Colonialism, Conflict and Community: Cross Curricular themes in the Classroom published by Trocaire, and also articles on Irish History, Geography and Irish Music for Everything Irish which was published by Ballantine Press in the USA in 2003. His involvement in traditional music dates back to childhood and he was three times winner of Slogadh Naisiunta, as a member of the group Ceann tSáile.”  He has represented Ireland at music festivals in Germany, Belgium and Holland as well as performing at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.  While musical director for Cionn tSáile (1994-1999), he arranged and produced two CD’s - Tús (1995) and Teacht chun Aibiocht (1999).  He has numerous medals for individual music achievement, including an All Ireland Bodhran Championship.

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Roderick Flynn, Lecturer, Mass Media in Ireland
COM CM 415
Roddy holds a PhD from Dublin City University and is a full-time lecturer with the School of Communications at DCU.  He currently chairs the Masters in Film and Television Studies there. His research interests include European and Irish audiovisual policy and the political economy of the media.

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Mark O’Brien, Internship Grader
Internship Syllabus
Mark O'Brien is a PhD graduate of the National University of Ireland. He is the author of De Valera, Fianna Fail and the Irish Press: The Truth in the News? (2001) and co-editor of Political Censorship and the Democratic State: The Irish Broadcasting Ban (2005). Teaching and research interests include modern Irish history, Irish politics and media history. He is currently writing a history of the Irish Times newspaper.

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Eimear O’Connor, Lecturer, The Arts in Ireland (visual arts component)
CFA AR 340
Eimear O'Connor is a professional artist and trained musician with an honours BA in History of Art and History. She is presently engaged in writing a PhD thesis on the life, work, cultural, political, and historical context of Irish artist Sean Keating (1889 - 1977).  Eimear's course for Boston University ranges through subjects such as early Irish gold and metal work, the Vikings in Ireland, illuminated manuscripts including the Book of Kells, twentieth century painting and stained glass, to contemporary art and architecture around the environment of Dublin.  All very interesting and based on trips to the National Museum, the National Gallery, The Hugh Lane Gallery of Modern Art, Trinity College, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and other private galleries and places of artistic interest such as Bewleys Cafe; a treasure trove of Irish stained glass.

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Dónal O’Mathúna, Lecturer, Ethics in Health Care
SAR HS 422
Dónal has a B.Sc in Pharmacy from Trinity College, Dublin, a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and an MA focused on bioethics from Ashland Theological School in Ashland, Ohio. He returned to Ireland in 2003 where he is now Senior Lecturer in Ethics, Decision-Making & Evidence in the School of Nursing at Dublin City University. He is particularly interested in ethical issues surrounding personhood, nanotechnology, moral reasoning, and the role of popular media in teaching ethics. He has authored Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, and writes a weekly column in the Irish Times on herbal remedies. He is currently working on a book on critical thinking in ethics and another on nanoethics.

James Shanahan, Lecturer, Modern Irish Literature
CAS EN 392
Jim Shanahan has an honours degree in Modern History and English Literature from Oxford University, an M.Phil. in Anglo-Irish Literature from Trinity College, Dublin (TCD), and a Ph.D (2006) from the same institution.  He teaches in TCD and St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, and is also a contributor to the Royal Irish Academy’s forthcoming Dictionary of Irish Biography. His main area of academic interest is eighteenth and nineteenth-century Irish literature, particularly with regard to its cultural and historical context.  Other research interests include the history of sport in Ireland.

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