Short-Term Domestic & International Trips

Ireland Abroad | Place as Text: Myth, History & Culture

HNRS 305 / ROE 397 – Maymester 2027

In-Person Abroad Experience
4 Credit Hours

Instructor: Molly Murfee | mmurfee@western.edu

Class Place and Time: Ireland | May 10-26 2027

Course Description

Journey to Ireland to explore a land where myth, history, and landscape are inseparable. This study abroad course invites students to uncover the layers of Irish identity through its stories, music, and natural wonders. Learn of ancient mythologies embedded in the land, visit archaeological sites over 5,000 years old, and trace the early history that launched thousands across the Atlantic to North America.

Students will experience dolphins, towering sea cliffs, traditional music, and medieval castles—all while earning academic credit and building a cross-cultural perspective grounded in place-based learning.

Course Themes

Myth, History & Storytelling
From the misty legends of the Tuatha Dé Danann to the enduring poetry of Yeats, this course explores how Ireland’s myths and history shape its modern culture.

Cultural Immersion
Through a Travel Journal and Cross-Cultural Immersion Plan, students will engage deeply with the people and places they visit, gaining a living understanding of Irish traditions, art, and daily life.

Sense of Place
Explore how physical landscapes influence cultural identity and personal reflection. Students will connect academic inquiry to the sensory and spiritual realities of Ireland’s geography.

Course Objectives

Students will:

• Examine Ireland’s mythological and historical narratives through direct experience.

• Develop intercultural communication and reflection skills.

• Analyze how story and place shape identity and collective memory.

• Create a reflective travel portfolio connecting course themes with personal learning.

Eligibility Requirements

• Completion of 24 credits before departure (by May 2027)

• Minimum 2.5 GPA (students below this may seek instructor approval)

• Non-Honors students may enroll with instructor permission

• Course offered through the Honors Program & Center for Learning & Innovation

Course Costs

Total Cost: Details and estimates will be shared at the Information Meetings.
Program costs will include group lodging, dinners, excursions, and in-country transportation. Airfare via Aer Lingus, personal spending, and some meals are not included.

Payment Schedule:
A non-refundable deposit is due December 2026 to secure your spot.
Enrollment is limited—early deposits are strongly encouraged.

Why Ireland?

In Ireland, the land speaks. From the windswept islands of the Celtic Sea to the quiet ruins of medieval abbeys, every stone has a story to tell. Through this course, students step inside those stories—learning how myth, migration, and place shape cultural identity. It’s a journey for the curious, the creative, and the adventurous.

How to Apply

Contact Molly Murfee (mmurfee@western.edu) to join the interest list, receive the Ireland Abroad Info Sheet, and get updates on application details, scholarships, and deadlines.

Students from all majors and programs are welcome. Scholarships may be available with an additional application.

Maya Archaeological Field School | Belize, Central America

Field-Based Archaeology Course, Summer 2027, Dates TBD

In-Person Abroad Experience

6 Credit Hours

Instructor: Dr. Hyde | dhyde@western.edu

Class Place and Time: La Milpa Archaeological Field Camp, northwestern Belize | 4-week session in 2026

Course Description

This 6 credit hour course introduces students to the methods used to collect and analyze archaeological data in a hands-on field setting. Over four weeks, you will live and work at a remote archaeological field camp in Belize, Central America, conducting research at La Milpa, one of the major ancient Maya urban centers in the region.

Students will receive practical instruction in archaeological excavation techniques, technical drawing, survey and instrument mapping, and basic field laboratory procedures. Classroom-style learning is complemented by on-site lectures and field trips that deepen your understanding of Prehispanic Maya history, society, and material culture.

This is an intensive program where you will spend six days each week excavating and participating in related field activities at La Milpa. Along the way, you will gain valuable research experience, build resilience through the demands of fieldwork, and experience the contemporary culture of the Latin American and Caribbean region.

For more information or to express interest in the 2027 field season, please contact Dr. Hyde at dhyde@western.edu.

Dates: December 29, 2026-January 8, 2027

Course Description: Ski and Ride in Hokkaido, Japan, while immersing yourself in the Japanese Cultural.

Contact: Matthew Ebbott at mebbott@western.edu or Austin at AOB@wildkine.com

Dates: May 12-27, 2027

Course Description: Sea Kayaking, Rock Climbing, and Hiking in Croatia.

Contact: Dave Erbe at derbe@western.edu

Dates: May 14-28, 2027

Course Description: Sea to Summit Ecology in Toyama, Japan’s Unique Biodiversity and Culture.

Contact: Pat Magee pmagee@western.edu

Dates: December 30, 2027-January 7, 2028

Course Description: Rafting in Costa Rica combines warm, crystal-clear tropical waters, lush rainforest canyons, and thrilling rapids ranging from gentle Class I floats to adrenaline-pumping Class IV descent.

Contact: Dave Erbe at derbe@western.edu