The Lifelong Learning Programme at American College Dublin offers unique courses of special interest to adult learners; taught by our team of qualified and experienced lecturers, courses will explore subjects, both traditional and niche, from academic realms including business, film, literature, writing, theatre, and history. Though course lengths will vary from one-day workshops and weekend symposiums to month-long classes, scheduling is designed to accommodate the busy lives of adult learners. Upon successful completion of a course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Unless indicated otherwise, all courses will be taught online.

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent).

Course List:

Business

Prospering in the Woke Age

Encouraging new, iconoclastic thinking, we examine to what extent the world is in crisis, and what can be practically done. How can we combine growth, social objectives, and the environment?

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 1-hour

Lecturer: David Horgan

Fee: €95 Purchase Course

Introduction to Marketing through Storytelling

Carefully crafted storytelling is at the heart of a successful market campaign and has the potential to form a very successful brand. Through this course we will identify the passion that drives your business and consider what the potential causes your business stands for, giving your campaign purpose, higher exposure potential, and better engagement.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 4

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Eamonn B. Shanahan

Fee: €95 Purchase Course

Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship

Over the course of this programme, you will discover skill sets that are unique to you, identifying your core values, beliefs, and business ideas. We will break down the core essence of your business model and identify its strengths and weaknesses through creative tools that aims for objectivity and big picture thinking.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Eamonn B. Shanahan

Fee: €140 Purchase Course

MUSic & Theatre

The Golden Age of Jazz

This course offers an introduction to the foundations of jazz from its early origins, through the Jazz Age of the 1920’s to the Swing Era of 1935 to 1947, a uniquely innovative period of creativity when jazz was the popular music in America. During this 6 week course, students will learn of the roots of jazz, how it developed and what were the unique circumstances that gave rise to its extraordinary evolution. They will learn the importance of the legendary bandleaders and singers who were at the core of this golden age, and by learning of their pioneering influences, students will come to understand and appreciate the rhythms, the structure and the spirit of jazz. Through exploratory sessions with audio recordings, as well as early visual films and images from various historical resources, students will identify the jazz greats such as Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, Anita O Day as well as lesser known jazz artists, and will learn of their musical legacy. By the end of the course, students will have an enhanced knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of jazz, its evolution and essential contribution to culture and popular music.

Dates: September 29th, October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and November 3rd

Days: Thursdays

Times: 7pm

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Melanie O’Reilly

Fee: €199 Purchase Course

Method Acting

Open to ages 18 to 80, beginners to experts.

Learn fundamental exercises of Method Acting through a practical online interactive course. Including elements such as: basic relaxation, sense memory exercises and animal exercises.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 12

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Peter McCamley

Fee: €300 Purchase Course

Acting Foundation Workshop

Open to ages 18 – 80, beginners to experts.

A practical group introduction to the basics of the craft of acting, or a refresher course! Plus, 1-on-1 sessions available for those interested in preparing/auditioning for further education or a career in the industry.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 90-minutes

Lecturer: Peter McCamley

Fee: €160 Purchase Course

Music Theory, History, and Aural Skills

This six-week course offers an introduction to general music studies, theory, reading music & ear training. The course is open to everyone–no experience necessary–and is a fun, interactive course offering an engaging introduction to everything related to music. Classes will be online and recorded for those who miss a class and/or for revision of the session.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 90-minutes

Lecturer: Duncan Brickenden

Fee: €125 Purchase Course

Discovering Acting Through Song in Musical Theatre:

An Introduction to Musical Theatre Performance through a practical four-week course introducing acting through singing for musical theatre. This online programme is aimed at those with a keen interest in musical theatre performance regardless of experience and age. On completion of the course, performers will gain audition techniques for musical theatre, develop skills in performing musical theatre songs to a high standard, understand castability and receive insights into repertoire choice as well as explore acting choices, vocal technique and interpretation through songs from the candidates’ own repertoire.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 4

Session Length: 120-minutes

Lecturers: Aileen Donohoe & Duncan Brickenden

Fee: €199 Purchase Course

Film

Weimar Cinema

To study the internationally famous and influential German films of the Weimar period (1919-1933).

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Peter Sadowski

Fee: €95 Purchase Course

The Films of Federico Fellini

Study the films of Federico Fellini (1920-1993), the most influential Italian film director, and one of the most famous directors in the history of arthouse cinema.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA.

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Peter Sadowski

Fee: €95 Purchase Course

Writing

Conjuring the Essay: Intro to Academic Writing through Contemporary Horror Films

Develop and enhance academic writing techniques such as crafting thesis statements, establishing arguments, and revising for flow, clarity, and cohesiveness. Though academic writing will be at its core, the course will be taught through the lens of contemporary horror films. Analyzing themes, cultural contexts, possible effects upon the viewer’s worldview, and other film components, participants will acquire content for use in essay practice.

Films covered throughout the course include, but are not limited to: The Conjuring (2013), The Babadook (2014), It Follows (2014), Midsommar (2019), and Us (2019).

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 8

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Scotty Sarafian

Fee: €95 Purchase Course

Literature

The Plays of William Shakespeare

The class will examine some of the reasons for the enduring appeal of Shakespeare’s classic plays. Compelling dramatic plots, dense poetic language, powerful characterization, and insight into the human condition continue to inspire theatre and film directors and to move and delight audiences around the world.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Peter Sadowski

Fee: €95 Purchase Course

The Genius of Oscar Wilde

To study the social circle and literary works of Oscar Wilde, the most influential Anglo-Irish writer of the late Victorian era. A bohemian, wit, and conversationalist, Wilde inspired a culturally vibrant social environment in Dublin, London, and Paris, whose legacy has lasted until the present day.

Dates: TBA

Days: TBA

Times: TBA

Sessions: 6

Session Length: 2-hours

Lecturer: Peter Sadowski

Fee: €95 Purchase Course

Misc.

Deadly Makeup FX

Join multi award-winning makeup artist, Connie McGrath (a.k.a Deadly FX), as she guides you through the various tried and tested makeup FX techniques! Connie has worked on numerous TV, theatre and film productions, such as Dracula Untold, Lost City of Z and Season 1 of the television show Krypton. During her 4-day workshop you will learn how to create: scars, bruising, burns, and old-age makeup. For the list of materials required to take part (and where to purchase them online), email conniemcgrath1981@gmail.com.