Dublin Their Pleasure: Summering in Ireland
I
nstead of soaking up sun on a tropical
island, 13 SMAD students spent last sum-
mer soaking up culture, film, theater – and
a little Blarney – in the cooler climate of the
Emerald Isle.
ith an international media market awaitW -
ing them, a growing number of SMAD stu-
dents have taken the opportunity to get some
international experience through the Ireland in
Text and Image program.
Students in the six-week Ireland program
visited the homes and haunts of Irish authors
such as James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, met ac -
tors and directors at an Irish film festival, and
for the first time this year, had the option of
collecting credits while taking in Irish theater.
There was also a strong focus on building
writing and Web skills, with students creating
blogs and updating them throughout the trip.
The trip itinerary included stays in Cork,
Galway, and Dublin. Some students used the
three free weekends for quick trips to London,
Paris, or Frankfurt, while others used the time
Rock-solid relations: Participants in the summer session of ’08 reflect the closer bond that
to explore Ireland further. forms between students and faculty during the six-week session.
Professor Charles Turner, director of the pro-
gram, said the trip is open to all JMU students
opportunity to attend the annual Galway Film Festival, with
with the English and Theater departments offering credits as
entries from Ireland, Russia and other countries not usually
well as SMAD – but the majority are SMAD majors, and their
featured at your local Cineplex.
percentage continues to grow.
Professor Tom McHardy, program co-director, said seeing
Among the appealing aspects for SMAD students is the
these films “broadens students’ appreciation of other cultures,
Continued on page 9
Can You Get SMAD Credits in London? Yes UKan
S
MAD students appear to enjoy classes with a British
accent.
SMAD majors typically make up the second largest
group of students who sign up for JMU’s study abroad
programs in London.
Not surprisingly, English majors consistently make up
the largest group.
Because studying in the UK is so popular among SMAD
students, the department is now offering a number of
SMAD courses as part of the London program’s standard
offerings. Previously, SMAD offerings were not a regular
part of the program.
The courses make up a “Communications & Media”
track, a new addition to the SMAD curriculum.
Students in SMAD concentrations, except Interactive
Media, can fulfill at least nine of 36 required credits for their
Cheerio-ing for new courses: Duke Dog and his companion demon-
major in London.
strate the enthusiasm SMAD students have for studying in London.
This spring there are three SMAD courses in London:
That spirit has led to the creation of a new list of SMAD course op-
Continued on page 9
tions in the British capital.
SMADAbout You 8
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24