Date in Dublin: Portola Valley man to teach in Foothill's summer program in Ireland Date in Dublin: Portola Valley man to teach in Foothill's summer program in Ireland (March 17, 2004)

By Jane Knoerle
Almanac Staff Writer

At noon on St. Patrick's Day, Wednesday, March 17, Bob Pierce of Portola Valley will be talking up the glories of Dublin at an orientation meeting at Foothill College.

His reason? He will be one of three professors who will teach in a summer program for Foothill students July 9 to August 21 in Dublin.

The program is part of Foothill's "campus abroad" program, offered in partnership with the American Institute for Foreign Study.

"When I heard about the first trip (two years ago), I was jealous, then Jim said: 'Why don't you join us?'" Jim is Jim Whearty, who with Rosemary Arca, both of the Foothill faculty, initiated the Irish program, which was a big success.

In Dublin Mr. Pierce will teach recent European history, with an emphasis on Irish history since 1789, and U.S. history since 1877. The second course is taught online, which means students can attend class anywhere they have computer access.

His colleagues will teach Irish literature, drama and myth, children's literature, and travel writing. All courses offer college credit.

The Irish program is based at University College Dublin, with accommodations in the school's apartments. "They're really cool and only a 10-minute bus ride from Grafton Street," says Mr. Pierce.

It won't all be hitting the books or the computer. Many excursions are planned, including a two-day visit to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher, a day in Boyne Valley and Newgrange, and another full-day excursion to the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough.

Students over 18 are eligible to attend the session, including those who are way over 18. "We have students at Foothill from ages 14 to 80," he says.

The fee per person is $3,495 and includes accommodations, bus pass, guided excursions, and use of a computer. It does not include airfare, textbooks and meals.

Mr. Pierce has been a history professor at Foothill College since 1971 and has traveled widely, including three trips to Ireland.

His wife, Frannie, a teacher at Redwood Middle School in Saratoga, will accompany him to Dublin. Five years ago he took his son, Brendan, to Ireland. This time he's looking forward to chatting with locals in pubs, now that Ireland has banned smoking.

Of course, everybody boasts of being a bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day. How about Bob Pierce? "My mother's maiden name was Lawler and my great-grandfather was an Irish cop in New York City. I guess that qualifies," he says with a laugh.

For more information, call Art Turmelle, coodinator, Campus Abroad Program, Foothill College, 949-7614, or e-mail turmelle@fhda.edu.

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