Irish Studies Undergraduate Modules: Stage One
IRST10010 Introduction to Irish Studies
This interdisciplinary course introduces students to some of the diverse questions, methods and concepts underlying Irish Studies, with a particular focus on Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, and Social History. A central theme of the lectures and seminars is the complexity of the processes through which identity is constructed through time, and the course sets out to ask a series of provocative and stimulating questions about ideas of Ireland and Irishness. Students will explore the archaeology of Ireland from the Mesolithic to the Medieval period, the historical archaeology of Ireland from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, and the political and social history of Ireland from the 19th century to the present. The aims of the course are:
1) To introduce students to an understanding of the breadth of archaeological and historical knowledge and perspectives on 'Ireland' and 'Irishness';
2) To enable students to grasp the complex and dynamic ways in which Ireland and Irishness have been conceptualized;
3) To facilitate students' engagement with the field of Irish Studies.
IRST10020 Introduction to Irish Cultural Studies
This module will focus on the cultural dimensions of Irish Studies and will survey key issues in the study of Irish culture through the study of representative texts and practices. In this module, we will lay the foundation for elements of the Irish Studies programme which focus on culture, particularly literature, film, drama, and art history. Some key themes that will be explored include: the myth of the West; Dublin in cultural representation; ‘Mother Ireland’; Gender and Nation; Emigration and Immigration; Language, Culture and Identity.
Literature:
Standish O’Grady, The History of Ireland
WB Yeats, Cathleen Ni Houlihan
JM Synge, Riders to the Sea
James Joyce, Dubliners
Selected short stories: Mary Lavin; Frank O’Connor; Edna O’Brien; John McGahern
Selected poetry: Patrick Kavanagh; Eithne Strong; Seamus Heaney; Eavan Boland
Hugo Hamilton, The Speckled People
Visual Culture: Art, film and documentary
The Art of Paul Henry, Mainie Jellett and Seán Keating
Robert Flaherty, Man of Aran
Bob Quinn, Poitín
Jim Sheridan, The Field
Margo Harkin, Hush-A-Bye Baby
Paul Rowley and Nicky Gogan, Seaview
Dan O’Hara, Yu Ming is Ainm Dom