MLA-Irish Studies

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.

Irish History from the end of the reign of Elizabeth I to the recent Time of 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 de Valera and the unsettling issues in the time of troubles. Fall, even years.

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.

This course will examine 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. The course will address the political, social, legal, cultural and economic aspects of life in Ireland and Northern Ireland that gave rise to emigration. We will investigate how the Irish and Northern Irish made a mark on American society, politics, law and culture. We also will use 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. This part begins with a look at the British plantations and settlements throughout Ireland, Britain's first colony. The historical context reviews some of the laws imposed upon Ireland to subvert Irish heritage and culture, such as outlawing the Catholic religion and the Irish language as well as taking away Irish Catholic civil rights. The course reviews the conquest of Cromwell, the rebellions of the Irish, such as the United Irishmen, and the laws imposed on the Irish by the British in response. The course explains the Act of Union, which made Ireland part of the United Kingdom and took away Ireland's Parliament, Ireland's desire for self-determination, the 1916 Easter Rising seeking independence, the partition of Northern Ireland from Ireland and the Irish Civil War of 1922. 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 & 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, as well as Britain and Ireland. The course also coves current events in Northern Ireland, such as ongoing elections and other governmental, political, social and cultural issues.

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.

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.

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.

Selected topics in Irish studies.