Women's & Gender Studies

Teacher Education

&

The Honors College

in Waterford, Ireland

 

Program Date:  June 5 - June 20, 2025

Program Cost:  $3415 

All Majors and Graduate Students can Apply!

Academic Classes offered:

(Two of the following are Required)

WGSS 4600 Special Topics in Women's & Gender Studies (Gender, Society & Culture) – 3 Credits – For the purposes of the Ireland Study Abroad program, the focus of the class will be based on gender, culture, and social issues of Ireland.  This course will be cross listed with SOCI 4680 (Sociology of Gender) and can also be offered at the graduate level WGSS 6600 (Special Topics in Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies). This section is taught by Dr. A.J. Ramirez. (These classes can also be substituted for students in the Honor's program)

SOCI 4900 Special Topics in Sociology (Gender, Society & Culture) -3 Credits – For the purposes of the Ireland Study Abroad program, the focus of the class will be based on gender, culture, and social issues of Ireland.  This course will be cross listed with WGSS 4600A (Special Topics in WGSS).  This section is taught by Dr. A.J. Ramirez. 

EDUC 2120 Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity -3 Hours. - Fundamental knowledge of understanding culture and teaching children from diverse backgrounds. Specifically, this course is designed to examine the nature and function of culture; the development of individual and group cultural identity; definitions and implications of diversity; and the influences of culture on learning, development, and pedagogy. Successful completion of 10 hours of field experience is require. This course will be cross listed with WGSS 3010 (Special Topics in WGSS).This section is taught by Dr. Gayle Ramirez

WGSS 3010 Gender & Education - 3 Hours. - For the purposes of the Ireland Study Abroad program, the focus of the class will be based on the development of individual and group cultural identity; definitions and implications of diversity; and the influences of culture on learning, development, and pedagogy. This section is taught by Dr. Gayle Ramirez

WGSS 6600 Special Topics in Women's & Gender Studies (Gender, Society & Culture) – 3 Credits – For the purposes of the Ireland Study Abroad program, the focus of the class will be based on gender, culture, and social issues of Ireland. This section is taught by Dr. A.J. Ramirez.

HONS 2990 Experiential Activity - Graded "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory". A non-credit course required of all Honors students. Students are expected to complete one or more of the following: a global experience, a service project, and/or leadership activity. The course may be repeated for multiple activites/experiences.

HONS 3990: Honors Capstone - 3 Credits - An introduction to a wide range of research methods emphasizing the ability to read, interpret, conduct, report and present research in the student's discipline area.

 

 

Why Study Abroad in Ireland:

Ireland is a fantastic location for study abroad! There are a number of reasons for this.

Ireland is a culturally unique and beautiful, ancient island. Irish traditional music and dance are lively and uplifting, and you will be sure to sample it in Ireland's world-famous Irish pubs. The people are known for their ‘cead mile failte’ or a hundred, thousand welcomes and you will feel this friendliness and welcoming nature everywhere you go in Ireland.

As a small island nation, all the beautiful corners of Ireland with its wild rugged nature is easy to explore on day trips or weekend trips. You can also hop on a short, affordable flight to any city in mainland Europe to explore further afield!

Irish people are famous all over the world for their friendliness and warm welcomes. International students have stated they feel right at home in Ireland, and even call it their ‘home away from home’. You can enjoy the unique Irish culture with its lively traditional music and dance, extraordinary Irish literature, award-winning Irish movies and television shows, and of course our world-famous Irish pubs.

In Ireland, they even have their own word for fun: craic! You will be sure to ‘have the craic’ as you experience Irish life and culture during your studies. 

 

 Pre-Departure Seminars

The pre-departure seminars will be required and include the following topics (with corresponding meetings):

  • Session 1 - General orientation and expectations of travel and study abroad 
  • Session 2- Site specific details and information based on the day-to-day itinerary including an overview of learning activities. Activities include:
    • Itinerary guide to be produced by each student participating in the program
    • Each student will watch film Philomena (2013) and reflect on the film and its connection to the Magdalene laundries. 
  • Session 3 – Group gathering on campus 
    • Each student will watch Ireland's Dirty Laundry (2022) documentary and reflect on the film and it's connect to the Magdalene laundries. 
  • Session 4 - Final departure orientation and expectations including code of conduct and optional or free travel instructions. Also, any final assignments are due at this time.

 

 

Program Contact Information:

Program Co-Director:  Dr. A.J. Ramirez, ajramirez@valdosta.edu, 229-333-5493

Program Co-Director:  Dr. Gayle Ramirez, mgvaldez@valdosta.edu, 229-219-1322

国产AV International Programs:  Ms. Irina McClellan, studyabroad@valdosta.edu, 229-333-7410