Western Civilization and Celtic Christianity in

IRELAND

May 19-June 2, 2025

Quick Links

At a Glance | Course Descriptions

Itinerary | Next Steps

At a Glance

Courses Descriptions

RELG 2501: Celtic Christianity (Dr. Lytle)

This course provides an introduction to Celtic Christianity. It may be repeated for credit if the course content changes ​significantly.

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following outcome-based learning skills:

1. The following themes in Celtic Christianity:The goodness of creation.
   
1. The goodness of humankind.
   
2. The theological and religious implications of incarnation theology.
   
3. The importance of imagination in spiritual life.
   
4. The reality of unseen things.
   
5. The Celtic understanding and appreciation of cycles in daily life, life in general, and the natural world.
   
2. Something of the historical impact of Celtic Christianity on the Church, as a whole and our culture, in general.
   
3. Celtic Christian religious practice through opportunities to observe and/or participate in religious services.
   

HIST 1113: Transformative Developments in Western Civilization - 1500-present (Dr. Franklin)

Is a content course which exposes students to the important discoveries and major political, social, economic, religious, and ​intellectual activities that have changed Europe and the Middle East from the time of the Protestant Reformation to the ​present.

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following outcome-based learning skills:

1. Increased knowledge of the main currents of political, social, religious, and intellectual activities from the Age of ​Discovery to the present.
   
2. Increased awareness of the interaction of historical events and personalities.
   
3. Improved ability in written and oral expression.
   
4. Improved reading ability.
   
5. Improved ability to demonstrate a commitment of critical thinking defined as the ability to analyze and evaluate ​information, to synthesize information into coherent forms, and to apply and extend knowledge.
   

Itinerary

We anticipate that travel will include time in the following locations:

• Dublin
  
• Belfast
• Other locations TBD
  

Next Steps

AUG

Talk to your Piedmont Advisors about your circumstances.

• Your Academic Advisor can make sure you are taking classes that keep you track to graduate.
• Career Services will give you advice about how to make the most of your experience. Travel study is a great way to build employable skills and begin to fill up your resume. Having a plan before you leave is the best way to get the most out of the experience.
• Financial Aid can verify whether your financial aid package can be applied to the faculty-led courses.

Apply for a Passport

• At times it can take 6-8 months for your passport application to be processed, so apply early.
  
• If you already have a passport, check to make sure that it does not expire within 6 months of your RETURN date. You may not be allowed into the host country by immigration officials if it expires in less than 6 months.

Apply for Scholarships

• See Travel Study Director for some scholarships that may be able to help you pay for your travel study experience.
  

OCT

Complete an Initial Interest Form

• The sooner you let us know your interest, the better. Deadline for initial interest form is December 31st. Completing this form does not obligate you to participate.
  

DEC

Pay Deposit ($500)

• Deadline for the deposit is December 31st. This deposit is non-refundable, unless the trip is cancelled or there are extenuating circumstances preventing a student from participating.
  

FEB

Pay Remaining Travel Study Fee

• Deadline for fee is March 1st. The fee is non-refundable, unless the trip is cancelled or there are extenuating circumstances preventing a student from participating.

Attend Required Orientation Seminar (dates TBA)

• An orientation seminar for all students traveling abroad will be offered during February. The seminar will cover logistical concerns (university paperwork, passports, travel health insurance, etc.), safety while traveling and will prepare you to get the most out of your travel study experience.