The Irish Imagination - Gordon-Conwell — Global Education

The Irish Imagination

Global Education Course Based in Northern Ireland
Dates: June 23–July 2, 2024
CT/MC-614: Theology, the Arts, and Christian Formation—Northern Ireland
Professor: Dr. Wes Vander Lugt
Course Fee: $1,500 (plus airfare)*

Applications are now closed for this course. If you are interested in hearing about similar courses in the future, please email Dr. Vander Lugt.

Join us for this unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Irish landscape and artistry while studying the intersection of theology, the arts, and Christian formation. This course is open to Gordon-Conwell students and alumni, students from other seminaries in the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium or the Carolina Theological Consortium, as well as friends of the seminary. In this course we will explore together the formative impact of Irish literature, visual art, music, architecture, film, and more as it relates to Christian discipleship, worship, and mission.

Our residency will be based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with opportunities to experience surrounding towns and sites. The itinerary includes: exploring places related to the life of St Patrick, visiting round towers and high crosses in ancient Irish monasteries, enjoying Giant’s Causeway and other unique features of the Irish landscape, learning about Irish-born artists and authors including C. S. Lewis and Seamus Heaney, traveling to Dublin to see the Book of Kells and the National Cathedral, and experiencing the art, culture, and food of Belfast.

Current students can take this course for credit or official audit. Non-students are also welcome, and will participate fully in all the activities, lectures, and discussions. No prior knowledge or experience of the arts is required for participation at any level, only an openness to learn and be formed by a variety of readings, experiences, and art encounters.

Participants should be aware that some site visits may require walking up to 2 miles, sometimes over difficult terrain, while other site visits are fully accessible.

*Notes about the course fee:

  • There may be minor adjustments to the course fee closer to the departure date.
  • Flights and transport to and from airports are not included in the course fee. All participants must submit an application to reserve a spot on this trip and, once accepted, are responsible for buying their own airline tickets.
  • The course fee does include all other travel, all entrance fees, a single-occupancy en-suite room at Union Theological College (or double-occupancy with two single beds), and most meals. Hotel rooms for individuals and couples are available upon request for a higher fee.
  • Please note that tuition or audit fees and applicable student service fees are not included in the course fee and are billed separately.

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