Academics

In each iCharleston location, you'll do more than just take classes. In each city, there are unique learning opportunities involving travel and outings, and these excursions will enable you to immerse yourself into an engaging new culture.

Of course, you will take formal college classes, and each of those will transfer into the College of Charleston as earned academic credit provided you earn a grade of C or better in each one.

iCharleston class schedules are determined by the partner institutions and are scheduled Monday through Friday. Students should plan to have at least one class daily and expect to attend all classes. Each site has a specific class attendance policy. And each location has necessary academic accommodations for any student requesting support.

In addition, all iCharleston students will participate in a weekly required learning seminar led by the site director. We call these seminars “Passport to CofC.” This experience will help you build peer-to-peer relationships and develop the skills and knowledge required to successfully study abroad. Ultimately, it will also support your transition into the College of Charleston for the following spring semester.

Class duration varies at each location:

Dublin offers classes through Dublin Business School that last 90 minutes to two hours. Most classes will have a combination of study abroad students and Irish students enrolled.
London is a closed program where iCharleston students take classes together and each class is a three-hour session that meets once a week.
The classes in Rome meet for three hours per week. Some required courses are for iCharleston participants only, while the other courses will include other students enrolled at the American University of Rome.

2023 Course Descriptions

2023 iCHS-Dublin Academic Classes

2023 iCHS-London Academic Classes

2023 iCHS-Rome Academic Classes

2023 iCharleston - Dublin Classes

Two Required Courses:

Irish Culture & Society
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the key features of Irish culture and society and the key currents underpinning social change in Ireland in the 21st Century. Ireland, as a society, has experienced both incremental and accelerated social change in the latter half of the twentieth century. The former is characterized by the struggles that emerged between the forces of tradition and the forces of modernity whereas the latter emanates from radical economic change. In order to understand change we must first understand what has gone before. Thus, the course begins with a profile of Irish society and a historical overview of its core features in the latter half of the 20th century. It then moves on to examine continuity and change in some of the key categories of Irish society such as religion, culture, economy and politics via their two-step encounter with modernity.

Writing for College
Writing for College develops writing skills by teaching students the process and protocols associated with producing quality, college-level essays. The course also aims to foster a degree of literacy around an issue of significant public debate. Students work on four “projects” in response to texts on a theme. These projects are collated into a portfolio of work that includes drafts and finished essays, shorter assigned writing assignments, completed Homework (HW) assignments, peer reviews and self-reflections.

Select Three Courses from Elective List:

War and Peace in the 20th Century
This course offers a broad overview of the dominant themes and major events in European and international history from the First World War to the end of the Cold War. Special prominence is given to major ideological forces that have shaped political, social, and economic developments

Literature in the Modern World
This module offers an introduction to the formal analysis and contextual study of literature through a close examination of a small number of poetic and fictional texts. Throughout the module the focus will be on the development of skills of practical criticism and close reading, on understanding the relation between text and context, and on encouraging use of secondary reading. The course aims include:
1. To introduce some of the concepts, methods and language used in the academic study of literature.
2. To explore a number of literary texts in terms of their formal elements and contexts.
3. To encourage wide and exploratory reading and to foster effective use of secondary reading.

Psychological Foundations
This module introduces the learner to psychology and related fields of study. It distinguishes the scientific discipline of psychology from popular psychology and highlights the importance of research, statistics and ethics. The module presents an historical overview focusing on famous figures and landmark studies and highlights for the learner recurring issues in psychology which will resurface throughout their degree. Learners will be encouraged to reflect on their own thoughts and biases to develop greater critical thinking.

The Moving Image
The Moving Image aims to encourage and develop the comprehension of the media industries in Ireland. The module is an introduction to the political, economic, and regulatory environments of the Irish press, broadcast and online journalism. Surveying the industry in a period of rapid economic and technological change, students will examine the main trends in journalistic media. It will also assess the challenges and future of the industry in the 21st Century.

Event Planning and Operations
This module will guide students through all aspects of event planning and operations from concept development, to budgeting, marketing, sponsorships, logistics and managing and coordinating memorable and successful events. The module will explore issues and challenges relevant to a range of situations and give students a clear roadmap for the creation and execution of special events in a professional manner.

Drama and Theatre: Page and Stage
This module introduces the study of dram and theatre through a series of activities including structural analysis and close reading of plays, thinking about genre and context, rehearsed scene readings, and reviewing a play in performance.

The Sociological Imagination
This module introduces the learner to the discipline of sociology. It will introduce essential concepts such as norms and values as well as critical sociological topics such as identity, gender, class. Learners will gain an understanding of key sociological perspectives and learn to relate these to relevant social problems. Learners will also become familiar with the historical development of sociological thought and will gain an understanding of the application of such theory in the modern world.

Art and Architecture of Ireland
This course introduces students to Art and Architecture through a process of answering key questions about the art (and artists) and architecture of the city where they will live and study – Dublin. Students will examine Ireland by drawing on Art and Architecture as a lens through which a comprehensive perspective of how the country developed and will develop. The course has five main themes (Power; Public; Opulence and Ecclesiastical; Domestic; Modernity and Movements) which are supported by key readings, exploratory site-visits, and a minor research question for student response.

2023 iCharleston - London Classes

Two required courses:

British Life and Cultures
This multidisciplinary course serves as the anchor of the study programme in London, offering students an opportunity to place what they are learning in their other courses into a larger, contemporary context. It also enables students to appreciate more of what they observe during their stay in Britain in regard to the underlying history, themes, and institutions of the UK. The course provides a comprehensive examination of British life and multiculturalism past, present, and future. Students learn what makes Britain a nation via a range of topics on politics and monarchy, media and arts, and society.

College Writing: Britain as a Text
This course engages students in the writing process by building on and expanding existing curiosity, knowledge, ideas, and skills. Students work on a diverse range of styles and forms to expand their choices as writes, ranging from informal in-class exercises to serious critical analysis; from on-the-spot notebook jottings to the final essay. Student writing is informed by reading, research, analysis, and discussion, along with the things that fascinate and trouble students. During the course, students look at ‘reading’ in its broadest form, exploring ways of reading landscapes, images, sounds, and people, as well as texts.

Select Three Courses from Elective List:

Sustainable Cities: London in the Era of Climate Change
The consequences of man-made changes to the climate that are beginning to be experienced now are going to continue having a significant impact on urban areas and populations therein. Understanding, predicting, and mitigating the social effects of climate change is a growing concern for policy-makers, practitioners, and scholars worldwide, engulfing and remaking societal conceptions of sustainability. Who is in charge of envisioning a sustainable future, and what information are they using to make their decisions? Sustainable for who? And who is being excluded from this vision? This course investigates the global and local changes associated with climate change from the perspective of urban sociology. It examines the ways we can make sense of climate change’s impact on human societies. This course will consider the history and future of urban settlement, with a particular focus on how cities are being remade in the era of climate change.

Understanding Civilizations: Islam and the West
This course focuses on the historical, political, and religious relationships between ‘Islam’ and the ‘West’. Islam has for centuries been Europe’s neighbour and cultural contestant with a history of conflict and co-existence. Since September 11, 2001 there has been increasing talk of a ‘clash of civilisations’, but globalisation has also created an interdependency of faiths that requires greater co-operation, understanding, and dialogue. A recurrent theme of this course is whether it is possible to separate the world into monolithic entities called ‘Islam’ and the ‘West’. Why is one defined in terms of religion and the other a geopolitical designation? Further, we are increasingly witnessing ‘Islam in the West’. Muslims are not confined to the Middle East but have spread in large numbers to Europe and the United States and there have been Islamic communities living in the Balkans and in parts of southern Europe for centuries. This course is not designed to find out who is right or who is wrong between Islam and the West. Rather, the task is to deconstruct commonly assumed ideas about the other and to look at the historical development within the specific context of abstract ideas like secularity, religiosity, gender, human rights, freedom, and many more.

Music in 20th Century Britain
This course examines a wide range of important musical styles in twentieth century Britain in
diverse settings: the national institutions of British classical music; the subcultures that
emerged after the Second World War, such as Teddy Boys, Rockers and Mods, and the “Do It
Yourself” culture of all-night dance music parties. The stylistic traits of different artists and
genres (the forms, lyrics, instrumentation etc.) are examined as well as the cultural, political,
and economic context in which each was created. This course develops student knowledge of a range of musical styles and periods within 20th century Britain and an analytical understanding of music in its social context. It also looks at the function of scholarship on music.

Modern and Contemporary Fine Art in London
This course traces the development of Modern (1800-1970) and Contemporary Art (1970 to today). Through a series of in class sessions and visit to Museums and Galleries in London, students are introduced to a variety of art forms and media as they consider the socio-historical events that brought art to implement new media such as photography, film and installation, to the more traditional painting and sculpture. Following a loose chronological order, the course traces the development of the main artistic movements and styles from the revolutionary paintings by Turner through to rise of Realism, Impressionism, and the radical approaches to reality provided by Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Art. The latter part of the course looks more in depth look at the fragmentation of styles and emergence of new media that have thus far characterised the international, contemporary art scene.

Contemporary British Theatre
This course uses current London productions to introduce elements of theatre production including place, space, audience and actors, and directorial interpretation. Topics discussed include the structure of the theatre sector in the UK; historical contexts and movements; political and ethical questions (e.g. the issue of public subsidy for the arts); and core principles of dramatic writing. The course discusses important writers and, where appropriate, the wider movements of which they are a part. It also discusses plays visited during the course and some fundamental aspects of dramaturgy. This is complemented by a closer scrutiny of texts seen as representative of British theatre’s journey towards its contemporary condition. Students develop an ability to write critical prose and to differentiate between the author’s contribution to the experience of theatre and that of directors and actors as well as understanding the contribution of an audience to a performance.

Modern British History
During the nineteenth century, Britain emerged as the world's premier imperial, commercial, and maritime superpower. In the twentieth century, Britain transformed into an important – but secondary – nation state in a post-industrial, post-Cold War world. It experienced the transformative upheavals of post-industrial revolution, two devastating world wars, and the loss of empire, yet it re-emerged as an important part of the European Union and with a multi-ethnic and multi-faith society that is a nodal point in the global economic order. This course introduces students to the main events, trends, themes, and debates in British history during these years. This course provides an overview of the development of British society since the nationalisation of the East India Company, concentrating on a series of key themes including the consequences of industrialisation, New Imperialism, and social and political reform. Particular focus includes the impact of Total War on modern society and the development of the post-WWII Welfare State. During the course, students become aware of the multi-sided and contested nature of Britain’s past and how debates about British history relate to contemporary cultural and political discourse.

Environmental Science: Our Role in Today’s World
Sustainability is the integrating theme of this current and thought-provoking course that provides the basic scientific tools for understanding and thinking critically about the environment, inspiring students to take positive approaches toward finding and implementing useful environmental solutions in their own lives and careers. This course offers a broad overview of physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects associated with environmental science. Students are introduced to natural processes and interactions in the atmosphere, ocean, and on land. There is a focus on biogeochemical cycling of elements as well as changes of these natural cycles with time and recent anthropogenic effects. Topics include population dynamics, climate change topics (ozone depletion, greenhouse effect), ecosystem interactions, etc.

Media in Britain
This course offers a broad-based introduction to mass media as they have developed in Britain during the past 75 years. Students study the development and the content of British mass media and how they have impacted the interconnected world wide web of cinema, print, broadcasting, and social media that is now a part of our daily lives. The course surveys particular British traditions and practices that have determined broadcasting (television and radio), the press (national newspapers and magazines), advertising, cinema, and convergent digital media via the Internet. This course also explores the varied relationships between theory and practice in the mass media in Britain.

The Political Economy of the EU: Brexit and Beyond
This course provides a comprehensive examination of the European economy and the processes of European economic integration as well as a critical analysis of EU policies in their broader political and economic context. The course develops student understanding of EU developments such as the Single Market and Economic and Monetary Union (including the Euro). Furthermore, the course covers unifying EU policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy, industrial and competition policies, and regional and social policies and their impacts on global economic development as well as an examination of the EU’s ‘social market economy.’

Principles of Management
How do you successfully manage organizations and people? What's the difference between managing and leading? Are there special skills needed to manage across borders and in different cultures? This course gives a broad overview of management and provides students with information that will help them not only become better managers, but also better team members. Students are introduced to a variety of concepts, assessments, tools, and techniques that are important for understanding the changing business environment; elements of strategic planning; methods of organizing including recruiting, selecting, training, and developing; techniques for leading individuals and teams; and procedures for controlling resources to improve productivity and results.

Principles of Marketing
Through a European lens, this introductory course prepares students to think strategically about marketing in today’s global environment. After successful completion of this course, students have a basic understanding of the marketing concept, the marketing mix (product, place, promotion, and price), segmentation, targeting, positioning, customer value, branding, services marketing, global marketing, marketing metrics, consumer and business behavior, ethics and social responsibility in marketing, market planning, market research, and competitive analysis. In addition, students have the opportunity to evaluate and formulate marketing strategies taking into account the influence of international issues and technology.

Cash, Money, Records Forever
The course examines the structure and methodologies of the music industry and business in diverse settings: the origins of the music industry; different areas of the industry including record labels and its associates; artistry and agency; music consumption, distribution and promotion/marketing; and, creativity and legal issues in music. The course will also discuss on how the evolving music industry has had an impact on business and society in Britain (and Europe).

Sport in British Society
This course provides an opportunity to understand sports in a British context. The module is presented from a historical and contemporary perspective and examines a series of themes and issues, primarily through sports and the sociology of sport, with supplementary references to economics, politics, and the media.

Harry Potter: Magic, Myth & Meaning
‘Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic’ Dumbledore Magic, like literature, is a way of finding meaning in the mayhem and maelstrom of life, a way of imposing order on, or even creating the world around us. Using other texts (Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Greek myth and Arthurian legend) this course will analyse how J.K. Rowling, by using an alchemy of intertextuality, conjured a world that explores our interconnected myths, magical rituals, archetypes and shared histories to make meaning of our selves.

2023 iCharleston - Rome Classes

Two required courses:

Writing from Research
This course prepares students to plan, research, and write academic-level research papers autonomously. Students are guided through all writing stages, from preparing an articulated research proposal, to collecting sources and arranging them in an annotated bibliography, to outlining, drafting, and, finally, completing the paper in accordance with current MLA guidelines. Each stage is also punctuated with writing drills in the form of in-class essays, citing and quoting drills in the form of worksheets, annotation drills on select academic sources related to the class theme.

Roman Archaeology On-Site
This is an introductory on-site course exploring the archaeological sites and ancient monuments of Rome. The course will begin with the evidence for the earliest settlement in Rome and continue through the development of the Republic, the empire, and the transition to early Christian Rome. The course will focus on placing the archaeological and architectural evidence in topographical context.

Select Three Courses from Elective List:

Art of Rome
Art of Rome in an introductory course in the history of art. The course focuses on Rome, from its origin to contemporary times. Masterpieces of painting, sculpture, architecture, and urban planning are examined within their historical contexts. Most of the classes are held on site. The course hones a method of description, critical analysis, and interpretation of art. It builds an understanding of traditional forms and cultural themes useful in the comprehension of all western art.

Introduction to Anthropology
This course introduces a series of classical and recent topics in social and cultural anthropology: language, economy, kinship, religion, politics, myth, symbolism, gender, social stratification, ethnicity and nationalism, and globalization. Showing how anthropologists have approached these topics through cultural comparison, theoretical discussions will be combined with ethnographic examples taken from the variety of world cultures.

Introduction to Italian Language and Cultures
Open to students with no previous training in Italian, the course introduces features of the Italian language needed for interaction in everyday practical situations, such as the café, restaurant, accommodations, and in the shops. The course satisfies a limited number of immediate needs necessary for survival in the target language culture. Cultural topics, such as Italian gestures, the Italian family, the working world. Religion, and women in Italy, will also be studied in order to familiarize the student with certain aspects of contemporary Italian society and culture.

Living Rome: Urban Spaces, Cultures and Identity
This course will give students the opportunity to actively explore the multiple dimensions of the City of Rome systematically and on the basis of a theoretical framework of urbanism, cultural studies, and social theory. The students will examine how the city impacts its citizens, its businesses, and social organizations.

Italian Sketchbook: Images of Rome
An introductory course in drawing. On-site classes will provide landscape views, architectural forms, paintings and three-dimensional sculptures as subject matter, using pencil, pen, charcoal, and sanguigna as drawing techniques. The course includes art historical introductions to sites, individual drawing projects, and a written component related to the experience of sketching on location. The aim is to develop confidence and visual awareness in creating representations of the vast selection of art works that Rome has to offer.

Introduction to Ancient Greece and Rome
This course introduces students to the social and cultural history of ancient Greece and Rome via the major works of historiography, literature, art, and architecture produced by those cultures. This course is classroom-based, but a field trip to a site of historical and/or cultural importance may be required.

Introduction to International Relations: History and Concepts
This course incorporates discussions about International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Multi-National Corporations, Social Movements, and Civil Society. It looks at the study of the environment, the emergence of an international human rights regime, the reasons for state failure, the degree to which globalization as a phenomenon is altering the structure of international society, and increasing sources of disorder in an age of international terror, hegemony, and multi-polarism.

Communication and Society
This course explores the relationship between communications, media, society, and culture. Within historical and contemporary contexts, the subject addresses how audiences and participants negotiate media in their lives. The course focuses on different media forms, from newspapers to television, and from books to mobile technology. Topics covered include the effects of media on audiences; issues of race and gender in the media; media ownership and regulation; the impact of technological development and institutional pressures on media uses, content, and patterns of communication. Ultimately the course assesses ethical and legal issues which media users and practitioners may face.

Introduction to Psychology
This course surveys the various fields of psychology, with emphasis on recent discoveries and the specific contribution and character of European roots and developments. The primary objective is to lead students to explore and become familiar with psychology's technical vocabulary and concepts, as well as with some of the research findings upon which our knowledge of human thought and behavior is based. Students will be able to master elementary facts in support of those concepts, the basic attitudes of the discipline and its intrinsic interests and to present the newest developments in this field. Students will also develop critical thinking skills and will be prepared to be cautious and analytical consumers of information that is proclaimed to be scientific or based on research. In addition, students will become aware of the relevance of psychology to daily life and will develop respect for the psychological diversity of human beings.

Religion in a Pluralistic World
This course examines the issue of religious pluralism, explores the relationship between religious truth and (in) tolerance, and examines how different religious traditions treat religious truth claims in regard to the social and political context in which they operate. The course examines the issues of pluralism, (in) tolerance and the interferences between the religious and the socio-political realm, both historically and in the context of the contemporary world. This course may involve on-site classes and Friday/weekend fieldtrips to some of the major religious sites in Rome and Italy.

Public Speaking and Presentation
This course analyzes and applies principles of speech structures to oral presentation. Students learn to analyze audiences, adapt messages, apply critical listening skills and practice ethical decisions in preparing public speaking. Emphasis is placed on building a positive speech environment and practicing speech presentations.

Helpful Links

AAPC website
AAPC advising syllabus