Module Details

Module Code: LANG8010
Title: Irish Culture and Contemporary
Long Title: Irish Culture and Contemporary Society
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2014/15 ( September 2014 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 2220 - Languages
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: Available exclusively to Erasmus and International Students, this module introduces Ireland’s traditional cultural mores as well as the social contexts of modern Ireland through representative literary and journalistic texts and film clips. Ireland’s cultural heritage will be presented and explored. Incorporating the students’ own applied research, the module will provide an understanding of topical issues in Ireland, ranging through the social, economic, political and cultural spheres.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate an awareness of Ireland’s cultural heritage and contribution to the literary and visual arts
LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of evolving cultural characteristics and practices in an Ireland undergoing rapid transformation
LO3 Describe social, economic and political features of modern Ireland
LO4 Research aspects of Irish society in an interactive manner
LO5 Offer a critical assessment of recent developments in Irish society
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction
Historical, geographical, demographic and societal overview.
Culture
Ireland’s cultural heritage through the ages, with particular emphasis on twentieth century and contemporary Irish writers, artists, musicians, film-makers. The role of the Irish language.
Political Economy
The structure and working of the Irish political system and the main political institutions and parties. Economic transformation during the boom era and the wider social and cultural changes it heralded. Demographic changes, emigration, immigration, living standards. Health, education and welfare systems in modern Ireland.
Society
The role of religion and the Catholic Church, also other religions and churches. The relationship between church and state and the trend towards secularization. A mapping of civil society organizations with a look at the role of the media in strengthening civil society.
Ireland's place in the world
Relations with Northern Ireland, the EU, the US, emerging economies and developing countries. A look at ‘brand’ Ireland and the tourist experience.
Interaction with classmates and the wider community
Class discussion and debate will encourage the students to make comparative assessment with their own countries with opportunities to air the challenges posed by intercultural interaction. Project research will take students out into the wider community (see assessment detail)
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 2,4,5
Assessment Description
The project element of the course will involve students working in small groups to investigate certain aspects of modern Ireland over a number of weeks, culminating in a presentation of their findings to the larger group using a variety of media such as power-point, pre-recorded interviews, video clips.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 25
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 3
Assessment Description
n/a
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,3
Assessment Description
n/a
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • edited by James J. Carey and Augustine Martin.. (2012), Exploring English 3, Gill & MacMillan, [ISBN: 9780717154517].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Iain Zaczek. (1998), Irish legends, Contemporary Books, Lincolnwood, Ill., [ISBN: 9780809228096].
  • Christina Hunt Mahony. (1998), Contemporary Irish literature, St. Martin's Press, New York, [ISBN: 9780312219017].
  • edited by Michael Kenneally. (1988), Cultural contexts and literary idioms in contemporary Irish literature, Smythe, Gerrards Cross, [ISBN: 9780861402304].
  • Roddy Doyle. (2008), The Deportees and other Stories, Penguin, [ISBN: 9780143114888].
  • Hugh Leonard. (1980), Home before night, Atheneum, New York, [ISBN: 9780689110474].
  • Maeve Binchy. (2014), Chestnut Street, Knopf, [ISBN: 9780385351850].
  • edited by Augustine Martin. (2010), Soundings, Gill & MacMillan, [ISBN: 9780717148417].
  • by Declan McGonagle and Fintan O'Toole. (1999), Irish art now, Merrell Holberton, London, [ISBN: 9781858940892].
  • Sean Williams. (2010), Focus: Irish Traditional Music, Routledge, [ISBN: 9781135204136].
  • Sean Duffy,. (2005), The Concise History of Ireland, Gill & MacMillan, [ISBN: 9780717138104].
  • John Coakley (Editor), Michael Gallagher (Editor). (2010), Politics in the Republic of Ireland 5th ed., Taylor & Francis, [ISBN: 9780415476713].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BIBLA_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Business with Language 5 Group Elective 1