|
|
|
||
|
The course examines a selection of significant periods in Irish history from the Middle Ages up to the twenty-first century. On the background of the socio-political context, it focuses on a variety of written sources and literary reflections of the given periods, paying special attention to their relevance for contemporary notions of Ireland and Irish identity. The course is supplemented by a selection of audiovisual material.
moodle link: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=1235<br> Poslední úprava: UALKMARKR (05.09.2025)
|
|
||
|
1. Regular attendance and active participation in debates (based on the assigned reading). A maximum of 2 unexplained absences is allowed. 2. Submission of draft answers to the assigned questions on a week-to-week basis. These have to be submitted on moodle by 10:00 on the day of the given seminar. A minimum of 5 contributions altogether is required. Feel free to add your own questions and points for debate. 3. A final essay (2500-3000) submitted via moodle. The topic must be discussed with the instructor in advance. Deadline for essays: 1 February 2026. Students wishing to be awarded an additional exam grade (písemná práce) in the course are required to submit, instead of the essay, a graded research paper (4500-5000 words). A detailed proposal (including suggested secondary sources) must be sent to the instructor by 1 February 2026, the deadline for the paper is 21 June 2026. PLEASE NOTE: Essays must include full bibliographical references and footnotes for all works cited or paraphrased (in accordance with the essay guidelines on the department website). The use of the wide range of Irish Studies books available in the library is highly encouraged. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a fail grade. The use of AI tools in writing essays is not permitted (although one may use them, with care, when looking up sources). Poslední úprava: UALKMARKR (05.09.2025)
|
|
||
|
Week 1 (2/10) Introduction
Week 2 (9/10) Medieval Ireland Reading: Echtra Mac n-Echach Muigmedóin, Acallam na Senórach (opening section) Questions: What is the role of the loathly lady in Eachtra Mac nEchach Muigmedóin? Comment upon the structure of Acallam na Senórach. Name some of the roles that the fían and St. Patrick perform in the story.
Week 3 (16/10) The English Involvement in Ireland (pre-1601) Reading: Gerald of Wales, The Topography of Ireland (Distinction III: On the Inhabitants of this Country, chapters X, XI, XIX-XXVIII, to be found on pages 68-79); Edmund Spenser, A View of the Present State of Ireland (excerpts); Muireadach Albanach Ó Dálaigh, “An Irritable Genius” Questions: What are the Irish like according to Gerald of Wales? What reproachable customs of the Irish does Spenser list? What are the causes of the degeneration of the Old English? What measures does he propose to pacify Ireland? What goal does Ó Dálaigh pursue in his poem?
Week 4 (23/10) No Class
Week 5 (30/10) The Collapse of Gaelic Ireland Reading: Aogán Ó Rathaille, “Gile na Gile”; Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill, “Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire Questions: What is the woman in Ó Rathaille’s “Gile na Gile” like and what is her situation? Name some themes that are treated in Ní Chonaill’s lament.
Week 6 (6/11) The 1798 Rebellion Reading: Declaration of the United Irishmen; “Dermot’s Delight,” “Father Murphy”; Mícheál Óg Ó Longáin, “I dTargnaireacht Naomh”; Seamus Heaney, “Requiem for the Croppies” Questions: What were the original aims of the United Irishmen according to the Declaration? Judging from the ballad “Father Murphy”, how did the “ordinary” rebels perceive the event? What feelings does “Requiem for the Croppies” convey? Can you spot any contradictions in Ó Longáin’s “I dTarngaireacht Naomh?”
Week 7 (13/11) Home Rule and Language Revival Reading: James Joyce, “Ivy Day in the Committee Room” (from Dubliners); Douglas Hyde, “The Necessity of De-Anglicising Ireland”; J.M. Synge, “Can We Go Back into Our Mother’s Womb?” P.H. Pearse, “About Literature” Questions: How is fire used as a symbol in “Ivy Day”? Why should Ireland be “de-anglicised” according to Hyde and what steps does he propose? Why does Synge object against the work of the Gaelic League? What opinions does Pearse hold about modern Irish-language literature?
Week 8 (20/11) No Class (The Week of the Humanities)
Week 9 (27/11) Celticism and Cultural Nationalism Reading: James Macpherson, Fragments of Ancient Poetry (Fragment V, VIII, XIII); Ernest Renan, The Poetry of the Celtic Races (Introduction and Part I); Matthew Arnold, On the Study of Celtic Literature (Introduction, Preface, Part IV); The Irish Literary Theatre ‘manifesto’ Questions: List 3 principal qualities/features of Macpherson’s fragments. List 3 reasons why Renan suggests that Celtic poetry should be studied. List 5 principal features of the Celtic races according to Arnold.
Week 10 (4/12) From the Easter Rising to the Irish Free State Reading: W.B. Yeats, Cathleen Ni Houlihan; Patrick Pearse, “Fornocht do Chonac”; Sean O’Casey, The Plough and the Stars Questions: What is the nature of the old woman’s complaint in Cathleen Ni Houlihan? What does the speaker renounce in “Fornocht do Chonac” and why? What do the basic shortcomings / failures of the Easter Rising consist in according to O’Casey’s play?
Week 11 (11/12) The Free State and the Republic Reading: Elizabeth Bowen, “Sunday Afternoon”, Mairéad Ní Ghráda, An Triail Questions: How is the atmosphere in Ireland describe in Bowen’s story? Why does the protagonist call the young woman “Miranda”? For what is Irish society put on trial in Ní Ghráda’s play?
Week 12 (18/12) The “Troubles” Reading: Stewart Parker, Pentecost Questions: What is the meaning of Pentecost and what role does it have in the play? What is the significance of ghosts in the play and how can they be dealt with?
Week 13 (8/1) Celtic Tiger, Brexit and Beyond to be conducted by Dr Michaela Marková (Technical University of Liberec) Reading: Glen Patterson, Backstop Country Questions: To be specified. Poslední úprava: UALKMARKR (05.09.2025)
|