EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
The Geology/Geography of
Ireland and Scotland
Intersession 2004
Drs. John Stimac and Michael Cornebise
The first two and a half days of the course are based in
Charleston. The rest of the trip will be in Ireland, Northern
Ireland, and Scotland. A general map
of the areas is below. We will start in Dublin (along the east
coast of
Ireland) and complete a clockwise circuit of the island. We leave
the island of Ireland from Larne, north of Belfast, and take a ferry to
Stranraer in Scotland. From there we see Hadrian's Wall in the
north of England before heading to the north.
Detailed Itinerary: Geology/Geography Field Experience in
Ireland/Scotland,
Summer
2004 Study Abroad
Monday,
May
10 - Charleston
Goals: Provide a
comprehensive
overview of the trip and stress the importance of the field experience
to
the academic and personal development of the students.
Students will be provided a reading packet to accompany both
classroom
work and field experience. Additionally,
important
historical trends will be presented and discussed.
Introduction to Ireland and course details
Project
overview
and outline
Journal
assignment
(~5 minutes)
Introduction to Irish and Scotish history
Celtic
period
British
Colonial
period
Independent
Ireland
Tuesday,
May
11 - Charleston
Goals: Introduce
the
student to important geographic landmarks. The
aim is to provide the necessary background for a successful
geologic/geographic
field experience by helping the student 1) understand the importance of
landscapes
that will be encountered and 2) contextualize data gathered in the
field
for successful project completion.
- Introduction to Irish geography: A
tour
through
hill and dale
- Population
issues
- The
Diaspora:
Irish migration and contributions in the United States and elsewhere
- Economic and
political issues
- Northern
Ireland:
Causes and consequences
- Economic
geography
of modern Ireland: The IT revolution
- A new dawn: Ireland and the European Union
Goals:
Impress upon
the student their role as ambassador from Eastern Illinois University,
the state
of Illinois, and the United States. "Cultural
sensitivity" training will offer a baseline for conduct once in the
field
(interview strategies, data collection methods, etc.).
Students will be encouraged to ask pertinent questions in a
non-offending
manner, e.g., rather than asking what religion someone is in Northern
Ireland,
ask them what school they attended or their surname.
-
Geologic Introduction to Ireland/Scotland
- Basic
rock
cycle
- Major
rock
types we'll see in Ireland and Scotland
- Limestone
- Basalt
- Metamorphic and igneous
- Formation of peat
- Weather and climate
- Schedule
of stops
- Routes
to be taken
- "Typical"
daily schedule
- Field
partner
guidelines
- Field
experience
guest speakers:
- Dean
Robert
Augustine or Sue Songer (EIU's mission to students through study
abroad programs)
Your Magical Ireland adventure begins tonight as you board your friendly Aer Lingus jet bound for Ireland. Enjoy cocktails, dinner and a movie or grab a few hours of sleep before awakening to a light breakfast and your first glimpse of the forty shades of green.
Friday May 14, 2003 - Dublin
You arrive in Dublin where you will be greeted by Michael Keane in the arrivals area and escorted to your motor coach. Michael will take you around Dublin and show you all the hot spots to visit. You will then go to the hotel where you will check into Grand Canal. You will have time for a short nap before dinner at 6:30.
Saturday May 15, 2003 - Dublin
Free Day in Dublin
Sunday May 16, 2003 - Dublin to Waterford
After Breakfast your first stop will be the National Stud Farm. Your journey will take you south to Irelands unique emigrant ship the Dunbrody in New Ross. Then on to Dooley’s Hotel located in downtown Waterford where you will have dinner and then enjoy an evening walking tour of Waterford.
Monday May 17, 2003 - Waterford to Blarney
After Breakfast your first stop will be the famous Waterford Crystal Factory where you will watch the creation of masterpieces designed by skilled craftspeople. Onwards you will travel to the lovely village of Cashel where you will see the awe-inspiring Rock of Cashel. Then you will visit The Queenstown Story Museum in Cobh. You will then check into the Blarney Woolen Mills hotel where you will have dinner.
Tuesday May 18, 2004 - Blarney to Killarney
After breakfast you will have time to tour Blarney Castle and kiss the famous stone. Then onto Garnish Island where you will see a myriad of unusual plants and flowers from many continents. Then you will head north to Killarney, Holiday Inn where you will have dinner and end your day.
Wednesday May 19, 2004 - Killarney
After Breakfast you will then embark on Irelands most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry where you will experience a panorama of mountains, valleys and seacoast interspersed with colorful villages. You will then stop at Bog Village near Glenbeigh and see a sheep herding demonstration. Then back to Killarney where you will spend another evening at the Holiday Inn.
Thursday May 20, 2004 - Killarney to Galway
After breakfast you will depart Killarney Ferry ride across River Shannon then travel north up the coast to the Cliffs of Moher one of Irelands most breathtaking natural sites; Then up to Ballyvaghan a pretty waterside village and a good place for exploring the Burron. Drive by or stop at Dolmen. Then off to Galway where you will have dinner and stay at the Imperial Hotel.
Friday May 21, 2004 - Galway
After breakfast you will take a ferry ride to the Aran Islands where you will see spectacular views. tour of Dun Aonghasa. Then back to the Imperial Hotel in Galway where you will spend another evening.
Saturday May 22, 2004 - Galway to Bundoran
After breakfast sit back and enjoy the view as you travel the Atlantic, northeast to Bundoran. On the way you will stop Kylemore Abbey, Parks Castle, Tobbernault Holy Well…. Tonight you will stay at the Holyrood Hotel where you will have dinner.
Sunday May 23, 2004 - Bundoran to Derry (N.I.)
After breakfast you will travel early to Derry. Morning tour of Derry You will see the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Bushmills produces it’s most famous of Irish Whiskeys. Then to Giants Causeway, which is Northern Irelands premier tourist attraction. Then on the Everglades Hotel where you will have dinner and spend the evening.
Monday May 24, 2004 - Derry to Belfast
After breakfast you will drive along the Antrim coast. When you arrive in Belfast you will take a coach ride with Michael to see the city. You will spend the evening at the Europa Hotel.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - Belfast (N.I.) to Carlisle (England)
Early departure 07.30 hrs for Larne and the short sea crossing to Cairnryan. On arrival we continue to view parts of Hadrians Wall, the building of which started about 120AD on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian stretching from (Newcastle upon Tyne) in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west, time for personal sightseeing before continuing to our hotel in Carlisle for dinner, bed and breakfast.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - Carlisle (England) to Glasgow (Scotland)
After breakfast, we depart northwards via Greta Green, famous for marriages of eloping lovers, then to Glasgow cultural capital of Europe in 1997, continuing we visit Stirling Castle and Ladies Rock time to visit and personal sightseeing before continuing to our hotel for dinner, bed and breakfast.
Thursday, May 27, 2004 - Glasgow to Oban
After breakfast we continue to Callander via Doune, known as the gateway to the Trosachs and was once the home or Rob Roy McGregor. Here also in the slope you will see tartan wool's and local hand crafts with wonderful viewing we continue to Oban and our overnight stay dinner bed and full celtic breakfast.
Friday, May 28, 2004 - Oban to Isle of Skye
Departing from Oben via the Glencoe Valley and Forth William to the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge to Kyleakin. Free for personal sightseeing and on to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Don't miss the opportunity to try a traditional Scottish treat of Haggis, Tatties and Nips.
Saturday, May 29, 2004 - Isle of Skye to Inverness
Departing for Inverness today via Loch Ness, joining the lough at Invermoriston we then travel along the wooded slopes of the lough, Scotland's most famous stretch of water, perhaps a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster. There are plenty of viewing points along the route. Returning to Inverness for dinner and overnight stay.
Sunday, May 30, 2004 - Inverness to Aberdeen
After breakfast and local sightseeing in Inverness, we have a late morning departure for the floral city of Aberdeen, traveling through some of the wonderful old Scottish village's of Formes, Keith and Buntley, with its castle, this area has many historical ruins and famous for many agricultural products amongst which are the famous Baxters soups and of course whiskey galore. We continue to our hotel in Aberdeen where we stay for the next 2 nights.
Monday, May 31, 2004 - Aberdeen
Aberdeen - an historic city, with Royal characters form the 12th century,
Aberdeen has plenty of fascinating areas and buildings to explore. There are interesting museums and art galleries to browse in, sports and plenty to try, and shops to visit. Aberdeen hosts many events and festivals and the city is a winner of "Britain in Bloom" competition plus Chelsea gold medal winner. Aberdeen has all year round amazing floral displays that delight the visitor. Display can be found in breathtaking winter gardens, by roads, rivers, offices and houses, in parks and gardens where crocuses, daffodils and roses carpet the ground. It makes the city a great place to visit.
Free for local sightseeing or perhaps an optional trip to the Orkney Islands, or why not a tour to see and visit Balmoral Castle Scottish home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - Aberdeen to Edinburgh
Early start today as we are off to Edinburgh but first Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the Queen Mother, the oldest part of the castle was the legendary inspiration for Shakespeare's "Mac Beth". Continuing to Edinburgh and on arrival a short orientation tour before proceeding to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - Edinburgh
Edinburgh - free time for personal sightseeing. Regrettably our final day, With its magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty buildings of its medieval old town, as they tumble down the spine of the Royal Mile, to the grace of this Georgian New Town. Above it all, in its towering splendor, stands the Castle. Every step is a revelation - an alleyway, which reveals an ancient courtyard, or a wynd which opens up a new panorama and yet within this sweeping elegance is a compact city, a bustling city, above all a city which rewards every visitor.
Thursday, June 3, 2004 - Return to Chicago via Dublin.
After an early breakfast we must bid farewell and as the old Scottish saying goes " what do ye hack as we depart" depart from Glasgow Airport for the Aer Lingus flight home.
Assessment:
- Journal: Each student will be required to keep a
trip journal incorporating field notes and observations.
Copies of the journal will be turned in at the
end of the course as part of the course project. Additionally,
students will complete a one-page reaction to the lectures and assigned
readings during the in-class segment of the course conducted in
Charleston.
- Project: Each student will complete a project based
on data collected in the field over the course of the trip. A project proposal will be submitted before
the trip to Ireland commences for approval of the instructors. Details of the project will be discussed on
the first day of class.
- Questions
of the Day: Students will be
responsible
for all material provided in the readings packet as well as pertinent
information gathered in the field. A
question
of the day will be administered each day that deals with a prominent
theme discussed either in lecture or in the field.
- Student
Participation in the Field:
Students
are expected to be active participants in field activities.
Grades will
be
determined as follows:
1. Journal
250 points
2. Project
450 points
3. Questions of the Day
50 points
4. Student Participation
50 points
Total points
800 points
Last
year
the
student's projects included:
- The
geology
and mythology of Ireland,
- Irish
folklore:
The commonalities and differences,
- Random
musing
of an American werewolf in Ireland: A brief overview of Irish whiskey
and what makes it distinctly Irish,
- A guide
to
Celtic symbols,
- Irish
dance,
- Starvation:
The 1981 hunger strikes and Bobby Sands,
- Irish
castles
and their history to the O'Brians,
- Origin,
meaning,
and history of Irish sayings: A comparison and contrast to American,
- A
comparison
of Irish food and meals to US food and meals,
- The
Irish
theater in history,
- A
video/pictorial
guide to Ireland Study Abroad, 2002,
- The
Irish national elections: A comparison to the American system.
As
you can
see,
the variety of projects reflected individual student's majors,
interests,
and talents. Many of these projects were
turned
in as PowerPoint presentations and one, the video/pictorial guide of
the
trip, has been turned into a web page with video and pictures. One project also received credit as an
independent
study project in the Speech Communication Department.
This
year's
projects will also reflect the variety of majors we hope to take. Already 10 people who are not
Geology/Geography majors
have expressed strong interest in going.
Based
on
last
year's student evaluations, this year's program has been modified to
better
reflect student interests and concerns. For
example,
Strokestown House and Famine Museum have been replaced by the Achille
Island
and Aran Islands tours. Although the
famine was,
and continues to be, important in Irish history, we can
still
maintain excellent presentations of it at the Queenstown Story Museum
in Cobh and Tower Museum in Derry.
Tentative Program Costs:
Cost to
student
(without tuition): $3810.00
(number based on 14 students; may decrease if more)
Cost per day
$152.40
Costs include:
- Roundtrip
airfare on Aer Lingus from Chicago - O'Hare Airport
- Hotels
for 21 nights (based on double occupancy)
- Food
- 20 full
Irish
breakfasts (typically includes fruit, cereal, juice, eggs, bacon,
ham, sausage, potatoes, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, bread)
- 15 dinners
- Large coach with driver and guide
- Entrance
to all places mentioned in itinerary
- Michelin
map of Great Britain
Not included in
costs:
Tuition (undergraduate tuition will be
$118.75/credit hour + $30/credit hour continuing Education Fee)
Lunches
or any souvenirs you might purchase.
*Examples of dinners that the 2004
Ireland/Scotland
Study
Abroad Program can expect:
Following was dinner in
Waterford
Tower of Melon served with a Ginger syrup
Dusted Goujons of Salmon served with
Crispy
Lettuce and a Lemon Mayonnaise
Warm Tartlets of Mozzarella Cheese and Black Olives
Pan-Fried Breast of Chicken served with
Red
Cabbage and Thyme Jus
Baked Fillet of Cod served with a Leek
Compote
and a Creamy Chardonnay Wine Sauce
Stir Fry of Vegetables served with Curry
Rice
and Soya Sauce
Trio of Desserts
(Profiteroles, Lemon Meringue, Pavlova)
Freshly Brewed Tea / Coffee
Following was dinner in
Westport
Parisienne of Melon with Creme de Menthe
Dressed Salmon Mayonnaise
Cream of Potato and Herb Soup
Prime Irish Beef Madeira
Farmhouse Turkey and Ham, Cranberry
Golden Fried Fillet of Plaice, Tartare
Selection of Vegetables
Fruit Trifle Chantilly
Profiteroles and Chocolate Sauce
Mint Ice Cream