Irish Studies

Elementary instruction in vocabulary, grammar and cultural insight into the Irish language and culture.

Advanced elementary instruction in vocabulary, grammar and cultural insight into the Irish language and culture.

This course provides instruction on Irish language and culture for students who have successfully completed Elementary Irish I and II. The Irish language is a member of the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family (with some unique linguistic aspects). It is a vibrant minority language on the island of Ireland. The syllabus will be based on the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge/The European Certificate in Irish.

This course provides instruction on Irish language and culture for students who have successfully completed Elementary Irish I and II, as well as Intermediate Irish I. The Irish language is a member of the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family (with some unique linguistic aspects). It is a vibrant minority language on the island of Ireland. The syllabus will be based on the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge/The European Certificate in Irish.

This course presents key authors, texts, and concepts in postcolonial studies as it pertains to Ireland and Irish literature. The course begins with an introduction to the term postcolonialism, traces its development as a methodological approach to literature, and then explores the contested application of the term to Ireland. The course then explores relevant concepts such as anticolonialism, nationalism, binaries, stereotypes, and hybridity in literary texts. In parallel with the literary texts, students will read from scholarly work and interventions in the field. By the end of the course, students will be comfortable analyzing, interrogating, and critiquing narratives of Irishness, and will be equipped to engage in a postcolonial analysis of literary texts, national narratives, and historiographies.

This course examines Irish mythology and folklore as two distinct yet interrelated cultural artifacts. First written down in the early medieval period, much of Irish mythology stems from the pre-Christian Irish oral tradition. As such, it provides us with a rich illumination of early Irish culture and traditions. Through a reading and discussion of examples from the various mythological cycles, students will become familiar with the common symbolism and literary motifs in Irish mythology, as well as evaluating what the tales can tell us about early Irish society. Growing from this early oral literary tradition, Irish folklore was collected in large quantities by the Irish Folklore Commission, giving Ireland one of Europe’s largest folklore collections. We will learn about folk traditions and the prominence of storytelling in rural Ireland as well as examining the influence of Ireland’s mythology and folklore on other literary movements, and its contribution to contemporary cultural texts. Upon completion of the course, students will demonstrate an ability to interpret the roles of myth and folklore in society, particularly within an Irish cultural practice.

This course examines contemporary Irish culture and traditions, by tracing their origins and evolution through the varied circumstances of Irish historical and political events. The course considers the impact these events had on the molding of distinct cultural practices in the fields of language, literature, sport, music, and folk traditions. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify, explain, and distinguish between Irish cultural practices and traditions, as well as analyze the conditions that contributed to their formation.

Study of Irish poetry, fiction, and drama from the Irish Revival/Modern period through the contemporary renaissance. Required for Irish Studies minor.

Irish history from the end of the reign of Elizabeth I to the recent Time of the Troubles. Special emphasis on the influence of English history, the revolutions of the 18th century, the development of Irish nationalism, the emergence of an Irish nation under the leadership of Eamon de Valera and the unsettling issues in the time of The Troubles. Required for Irish Studies minor.

This course explores the historical and political perspectives of Irish law and culture as a means of social expression. It investigates the political, economic, social, religious, legal, linguistic and cultural aspects of Ireland as it developed throughout history. The course reviews Irish and English laws affecting the Irish throughout key periods in history, such as the English and Scottish plantations in Ireland and land confiscations, the flight of the Irish from Ireland in response to English laws and other events and key insurrections and uprisings. Students will analyze the role of law and politics in shaping history and culture.

This course examines the causes of transatlantic migration of the Irish and Northern Irish people and the development of a subculture of Irish Americans in the United States in the context of key periods of departure. It addresses the political, social, legal, religious, cultural and economic aspects of life in Ireland and Northern Ireland that gave rise to emigration. This course investigates how the Irish and Northern Irish made a mark on American society, politics, law and culture. It uses the Irish American experience as a case study for other immigrant experiences today.

This course is divided into three parts: (i) Historical Context, (ii) the “Conflict,” and (iii) the “Peace.” The historical context explores some of the key events that led to the conflict and the current situation in Northern Ireland. The Conflict portion reviews the current dispute between the various political parties in Northern Ireland and the groups they represent: nationalists (who want to reunite Northern Ireland with Ireland) and unionists (who want to keep Northern Ireland separate from Ireland and united with Britain). The Conflict also reviews the use of physical force (violence) to achieve these goals versus constitutional, peaceful means (the ballot box and dialogue). The Peace portion discusses the various agreements and movements among Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland from 1922 to today to stop the violence and to bring peace to Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland. The course also covers current events in Northern Ireland, such as ongoing elections and other governmental, political, social and cultural issues.

This course surveys, critically analyzes and increases appreciation for American Catholic Heritage as well as Irish and Irish American Heritage and Culture.

Systematic study of the concepts and practices of the Christian spiritual life, with a special emphasis placed upon an understanding of Celtic Spirituality and the influences of Anglo-Saxon spirituality on it. This study will be undertaken by a reading and study of selected texts by the great spiritual masters and writers of the Church from the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon tradition. Pre-requisites THEO 1300/3300 and 2300/3310.

Independent study or directed reading study under a faculty member’s direction. Required for the Irish Studies minor.

These courses are offered as needed and cross–listed with courses in other disciplines, as applicable and with the approval of the chairs of those departments.

This course is a study of the indigenous Irish culture and how political and religious movements in Ireland and around the world shaped the Irish identity and history. Emphasis will be placed on Ireland in an international context, including the effects of Christianity, conquest, imperialism, war and rebellion, nationalism, independence and self-government on the Irish identity and history. This course explores how law reflects society and provokes change among people of different racial, political, cultural and religious backgrounds.

Systematic study of the concepts and practices of the Christian spiritual life, with a special emphasis placed upon an understanding of Celtic Spirituality and the influences of Anglo-Saxon spirituality on it. This study will be undertaken by a reading and study of slected texts by the great spiritual masters and writers of the Church from the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon tradition.

Student research on a selected problem or issue in the field that integrates previous course work in Irish Studies under the guidance of an Irish Studies faculty member.