HISTORY
Women in Irish Life: From Housewife to Activist
SPRING HN274
Mondays
Tutor: Ciara Meehan
This course examines the position of women in Irish life between the late 1950s and 1980s. A period of transition, both younger and older generations sought to define their place in the emerging society. The recommendations of the Commission on the Status of Women and the activities of such groups as the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement (IWLM) and the Women’s Political Association (WPA) highlighted the gender gap in society. Much of the change can be traced through the legislative agenda of the Oireachtas. However, this course is concerned with the women themselves, both as actors for change and as ordinary citizens.
What affect did change have on the lives of Irish women? How did they react to and engage with a changing society? How representative were the women’s groups, and how did their views compare with those of the ordinary, non-politicised woman? In answering these questions, the course will explore the activity of politicised groups like the WPA, the work of such journalists as Mary Maher, Nell McCafferty and Christina Murphy, and the activities of organisations like the Irish Housewives Association.
The course is also concerned with the views of non-politicised, ordinary women, the values they held and the challenges they faced. Social customs, expectations of education, sex and sexuality, dating, marriage, parenthood, domestic violence and equal rights are just some of the themes explored. The course will consider the extent to which women commentators and activists were representative of the non-politicised, ordinary Irish woman.
| BELFIELD | ||
| 8Mondays |
Jan 28, Feb 4,11,18, 25, Mar 4, 11, 25 (No class March 18) |
7.30pm - 9.30pm |
| Fee €155 |
Print Open Learning Application Form 2012.13 or ring (01) 716-7123 for Laser/credit card payment |
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Tutor Details:
Ciara Meehan is lecturer in history at the UCD Quinn School. She teaches and publishes on aspects of nineteenth and twentieth century Ireland, and is the author of The Cosgrave Party: a history of Cumann na nGaedheal (RIA, 2010). She is also the co-editor of ‘History and Policy’ at HistoryHub.ie.
Provisional list of key topics to be covered
- Second Wave Feminism
- The Irish Housewives Association and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association
- Women’s Rights (equal pay, deserted wives allowance, jury duty, etc.)Moral issues (contraception, abortion, divorce, etc.).
- Women in the mediaWomen’s Magazines
- Representations of women in fiction
Who is the course for?
This course will appeal to those with an interest in socio-cultural change in modern Ireland, with particular reference to the changing role of Irish women. The course goes beyond history and politics, and will thus appeal also to those with an interest in the media and literature. No previous knowledge of the subject is necessary.
Reading List:
The following is a selection of recommended texts for those interested in reading further around the course content. We advise that you do not buy books in advance of the course as your tutor will discuss the list and suggest the most relevant reading for particular interests.
Keenan-Thomson, Tara, Irish women and street politics, 1956-73 (2010).
O’Connor, Pat, Emerging voices: women in contemporary Irish society (1998).
Ryan, Paul, Asking Angela MacNamara: an intimate history of Irish lives (2011).
Stopper, Anne, Monday at Gaj’s: the story of the Irish women’s liberation movement (2006).
An extended book list, readings and documents will be made available on a specially-dedicated module website.
