International Programs / Study Abroad

Dublin, Ireland

Irish Society and Politics

In cooperation with Ireland’s Institute of Public Administration, DePaul University offers upper level undergraduates an outstanding opportunity to learn about the political structure and processes through an intensive internship with a member of the Irish parliament.  Local faculty and staff provide DePaul students with the preparation, training and support to succeed in the work of supporting a parliament member.  Coursework on Ireland’s history, society, politics and literature also scaffold and support the internship.  This program is limited to the number of students that can be placed in internships, but is offered twice a year—during the Fall quarter or the Winter and Spring quarters.  Now in its 15th year, this program has hosted students from many majors at DePaul including International Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Communication, Commerce, History and Philosophy. For a similar program with the European Parliament, see our Leuven program.

 

Dublin is the cultural as well as the political capital of the Irish Republic. Students are encouraged to take advantage of its theaters, including the world famous Abbey and the Peacock, the popular culture of the pubs, horse fairs, traditional folk festivals, the collections and lectures of the National Gallery of Ireland and the National Museum and Library.  Students may also use visit the various parts of the Republic and neighboring countries.

 

COURSES    

 

The program has been established in cooperation with The Catholic University of America and senior professors from the Irish university system. The courses require guided reading, written work and final examinations for learning assessment. 

 

The library and facilities of the Institute of Public Administration are available to the students, as well as workspace in or near Leinster House, the seat of Parliament. The resources of the National Library and other research facilities are made available to the interns as needed to facilitate their work. The program begins with a week-long intensive orientation during which students are provided with an intensive introduction to the parliament and internship, housing assignments are finalized and the student interns are introduced to the facilities of the Irish Parliament – Dail and Seanad.

 

 

Required Courses:

 

PSC395 - Irish Society & Politics

ENG398 - Irish Literary Tradition

HST398 - Ireland in the 19th & 20th Centuries

 

INT382 -Parliamentary Internship

 

Students work closely with a member of the Irish Parliament (Dail Eireann or Seanad Eireann) who has expressed the desire to have an American research assistant. The assignment is made by the Dublin program director in close cooperation with the leadership of the participating parties: Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour. The intern’s own political orientation, background, personality and interests are taken into consideration in making the assignments. In addition to research, the intern may be involved in areas such as constituency relations, representation and party liaison, preparation of briefing materials -–for 25 hours a week.

 

Course Credits

In the fall program, students earn a minimum of 22.5 DePaul credit hours (9 for the internship and 13.5 for the associated courses.)

 

In the two quarter program, Winter & Spring, students earn a minimum of 28 DePaul credit hours (10 for the internship and 18 for the associated courses.)

 

Students interested in earning an additional 4 credit hours may enroll in one of the following on-line courses offered through DePaul’s University Internship Program and designed to complement an internship experience.  For more information on these courses go to careercenter.depaul.edu.

           

            ISP 250:  You, Your Work and the World

            ISP 350:  Navigating the Changing Workplace

 

Students participating in this program during the Spring of their senior year should be aware that overseas grades may not be received for their degree conferral until August. While the Study Abroad office will do everything they can to expedite the process, transcripts are usually not received from overseas early enough for a June graduation conferral. 

 

Circumstances, such as an unexpected event abroad or a curriculum change at a host institution, may require DePaul University to make changes to the program. DePaul University reserves the right to cancel or alter programs and courses without notice.

 

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS    

 

 

Students are housed as paying guests of Irish families who provide room and board. This allows participants to gain unique insight into the Irish culture and daily life. Hosts are carefully screened and represent all walks of life and professions: some are traditional large families, some are retired couples, some are divorced or single parents and some are young couples. Placements are arranged by the housing coordinator in Dublin based on information students provide about their needs and preferences.

 

EXPENSES   

 

Fall Term: In addition to DePaul tuition for 22.5 or 26.5 credits, costs include a specific program fee. For updated information on specific program expenses click here:

This program fee includes study abroad health insurance, housing, and two meals a day.

 

Winter and Spring Terms: In addition to DePaul tuition for 27 or 31 credits, costs include a specific program fee. For

updated information on specific program expenses click here:

This program fee includes study abroad health insurance, housing, and two meals a day during academic sessions.

 

Students must plan their budgets to cover airfare, passport and visa fees, additional meals, local transportation, supplies, textbooks, internet, cell phones, and other personal expenses.  For the Winter/Spring program, housing and meals during break are not covered.

 

Program fees are based on actual costs of the prior year and projections for the current year. Inflation and fluctuating exchange rates make it impossible to state a fixed cost. DePaul University reserves the right to adjust program fees without notice.

 

APPLICATION   

 

This program is open to students who have completed their second year of undergraduate studies in all majors who have at least a 3.0 GPA. Because the program is competitive, only 6-8 places are available each Fall and Winter/Spring. To apply, students must submit the following to the DePaul Study Abroad Program office:

 

    • A completed DePaul Study Abroad Program application form

    • Two (2) academic recommendation forms from faculty familiar with your academic work.

    • An official copy of your transcripts. At DePaul, these may be requested on Campus Connect in the Students section under Records and Registration.

 

DePaul University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or handicap in admissions, employment or the provision of services. Inquiries regarding this policy should be addressed to the Director of Human Resources, 1 East Jackson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60604.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINES: 

 

Fall: February 15

 

Winter/Spring: May 15