Dr.
Richard R. Heiser
HIST 458 – HISTORY OF IRELAND
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| St. Patrick | Celtic Cross | Potato Famine | Sinn Fein Banner |
OBJECTIVES:
READINGS:
Primary Text:
Ranelagh, A Short History of Ireland
Collateral Readings (On 1-hour reserve in the
library):
Boyce and O'Day, The Making of Modern Irish History (selected chapters)
Cahill, How the Irish Saved Civilization, (selected chapters)
Davies, Domination and Conquest (selected chapters)
Ó Cróinín, Early Medieval Ireland, 400-1200 (selected chapters)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Your mark in this course will be based on the following points.
1. Tests: A midterm and a comprehensive final exam will be administered during the semester on the dates noted below. A study guide will be provided prior to the exams. Each test will count for 25% of the final grade.
2. Written Assignments: Three written assignments, as described below, will be submitted over the course of the semester. Students are advised to read and follow the instructions found in Writing History Research Papers. Each assignment is to be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, and 1" margins. The papers each count for 25% of your grade. Significant consideration will be given to those demonstrating improved writing skills over the course of the semester. Due dates are listed below. Students may elect to count their best paper grade in place of their worst test score, making the final grade 25/75, test and papers. Otherwise the worst paper grade will be thrown out for a final grade that is 50/50 tests and papers.
#1 - Using Ó Cróinín and Cahill, write a paper that highlights the salient features of early Irish culture. Answer questions such as how was this culture unique, what characteristics stand out, what qualities seem the most bizarre or most remarkable or most alarming, etc.? While what follows is treacherous ground for historians, consider whether there are aspects of the old Irish culture that you would consider particularly constructive and those that you would consider destructive. When writing the paper though, remember that the ancient Irish could not behave like moderns, so you will need to explain why such things are thought constructive/destructive using standards that transcend place, time, and ethnicity. Are there any parallels to this in our culture?
#2 - Using the chapters from Davies' book, consider the process of conquest as experienced by the Irish. Consider the terms 'conquest' and 'domination' in the context described by Davies. What did 'conquest' and 'domination' look like for the Celtic people? What does this say about our impressions of these kinds of experiences? Is power and its exercise always ugly?
#3 - Writing Exercise.
COURSE POLICIES: Here you will find the attendance policy, make-up exam policy, office hours, etc.
GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE:
I. Early Irish History
A.
Age of St. Patrick
B. Vikings
II. Middle Irish History
A.
Coming of the English
B. English
Colonization Under the Tudors and Stuarts
III. Modern Irish History
A.
Oppression and Union
B. Famine
and Immigration
C.
Struggle for Independence
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Additional reading in areas or aspects of history that interest you is an excellent way to expand your knowledge. The main text has suggested reading lists that I would recommend. Should you desire more books and articles on a particular topic than listed there, see me and visit the library.
PURSUE EXCELLENCE!
Excellence is Sorriness Leaving Your Life!
N.W. N.W. N.P.B.
