Language Preservation in the British Isles

May 17 - June 4, 2010

6 Credits available at the undergraduate and graduate level  in English Studies in International Locales: Language Preservation in the British Isles, Course # is TBA.

Program Cost: $2,850*

Application Deadline: March 15, 2010

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Barbara Ching and Dr. Susan Popham, Associate Professors in the English Department will lead the trip.

Eligibility and Space Available: The program is open to upper division undergraduate and graduate level students from the University of Memphis and any accredited public or private university. Priority will be given to University of Memphis Honors students.

Program Description: This program will allow you to earn 6 hours of credit. Beginning with an intensive week on campus (May 17-20), you will explore the relationship between English, its dialects. Dr. Popham’s class will explore the use and preservation of Gaelic and English dialects in folk songs, stories, and textile work.  Dr. Ching’s class will focus on the ways these languages and dialects have shaped the literatures of these countries. The texts, by authors such as George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas, will emphasize spoken forms such as drama and poetry. We will visit key sites in England, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland that will deepen your understanding of the linguistic varieties that have enriched English language and culture. Students will return to campus in time to complete their final projects.

Tentative Itinerary:

Day 1:

• Depart Memphis, TN and fly to London, UK

Day 2:

• Arrival at London Heathrow Airport
• 3 nights in twin rooms with private bathrooms including breakfast at a 2-3 star hotel in London
• Public transportation pass for the entire stay in London (Zone 1 & 2)
• Guided tour of the British Museum in the afternoon to see the Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles
• Welcome dinner at a restaurant in London

Day 3:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Transfer by public transportation during the day
• Entrance ticket to the Queen's Gallery located in Buckingham Palace in the morning; see the Queen's wide-ranging collection of art and treasures from the Royal Collection.
• Guided tour of the Museum of London focusing on the exhibit "Exploring 20th Century London" to learn more about "Cockney London"
• Optional: Ticket to a performance at the Globe Theater or The Old Vic in the evening can be arranged at extra cost (play and seating to be chosen in conjunction with the faculty leader; depending on availability)

Day 4:

• Theatre workshop with the English Theatre Company or during a Masterclass at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in the morning; focus on  how actors are taught to work with different dialects and accents
• Free time in the afternoon to explore London

Day 5:

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer by chartered bus to Liverpool
• 2 nights in twin rooms with private bathrooms including breakfast at a 2-3 star hotel in Liverpool
• Public transportation pass for the entire stay in Liverpool
• Guided tour of Liverpool, students may end the tour at the Beatles Story and visit it on their own

Day 6:

• Guest lecture at the University of Liverpool on "Liverpool - Accent and Dialect" in the morning
• Entrance to the Merseyside Maritime Museum in the afternoon to learn about Liverpool as the crossroads of the UK and British Empire

Day 7:

• Transfer by chartered bus to Bangor and Conwy
• Guest lecture at Bangor University on "Preserving the Welsh Language" in the morning
• Guided tour of Conwy Castle in the afternoon
• Overnight ferry from Liverpool Birkenhead to Belfast in 4 berth inside cabins

Day 8:

• Arrival in Belfast in the early morning
• Transfer by chartered bus from the harbor to the hotel
• 1 night in twin rooms with private bathrooms including breakfast at a 2-3 star hotel in Belfast
• Breakfast at the hotel or nearby cafe
• Public transportation pass for one day in Belfast
• Guided walking tour of the Gaeltacht Quarter of Belfast in the morning
• The rest of the day is free time to explore Belfast and its murals

Day 9:

• Transfer by chartered bus during the day to Dublin
• Guided tour at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum near Belfast in the morning; focus on the Textiles & Costume Collections
• Afterwards, free time to explore the museum
• 3 nights in twin rooms with private bathrooms including breakfast at a 2-3 star hotel in Dublin
• Optional: Ticket to a performance at the Abbey Theatre in the evening can be arranged at extra cost (play and seating to be chosen in conjunction with the faculty leader; depending on availability)

Day 10:

• Entrance to the Irish Museum of Modern Art to see the Tain Tapestries in the morning
• Guided tour of Dublin Castle in the afternoon

Day 11:

• Visit to a Gaelic school near Dublin in the morning
• Visit to RTE (Irish Broadcasting System), to learn how Irish and English are used for radio programming
• Farewell dinner at the famous Brazen Head pub followed by live, traditional music

Day 12:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Transfer by chartered bus to the airport in Dublin
• Departure from Dublin airport to Memphis, TN

Program Fees and Refund Policy: The program fee is $2,850*.The program fee includes accommodations and some meals, inland transportation, student ID card and application fee.The program fees do not include international travel, U of M tuition, which is an estimated $1835 for undergraduates and $2,2558 for graduates, visa fees, medical insurance or personal expenses. A non-refundable deposit of $350 is due by March 1, 2010 to secure your place. Please submit your payment to the Study Abroad Office located in 102 Brister Hall. If you are a U of M student, you can pay the deposit online here.

Fees with the exception of the deposit will be refunded in full if notification is received 90 days before the program start date. Withdrawals up to 45 days prior to the program will incur a charge of $500. Withdrawals up to 20 days before the program will incur a charge of 50% of the program fees. All other withdrawals within 20 days or less will incur a charge of 75% of the program fees. In addition to these fees any unrecoverable expenses will be billed to the student. Cancellations should be in writing and are only effective upon date of receipt of written notification. Should the University decide to cancel the program, there will be a full refund of all fees paid.

Scholarships: Scholarships for University of Memphis students are available through the Study Abroad Office, 102 Brister Hall phone: 678-4271. Applications may be obtained at that office or accessed online here. The scholarship deadline for summer programs is March 1, 2010.

Contact: For more information, please contact Dr. Ching at baching@memphis.edu / 901.678.4586 or Dr. Popham at spopham@memphis.edu / 901.678.2845 or the Study Abroad Office at 901.678.2814 / studyabroad@memphis.edu or visit our website.

* Price is subject to change.