NOTICE:
Students who wish to study in Ireland must successfully complete an
Irish Studies prerequisite course at Boston College. All students
interested in attending an Irish university in the fall of 2010 must
take an Irish Studies prerequisite course in the spring of 2010. Courses
that qualify as a prerequisite appear with an asterisk (*).
ENGLISH
EN 094 Introduction to Modern Irish II
Prerequisite: SL 027/EN 093 Introduction to Modern Irish I or equivalent
This course offers an introduction to the Irish language for American students with no previous experience of the language. Pronunciation, linguistic structures and grammar points will be addressed in class. The aim of the course is that upon completion the student will be capable with the help of a dictionary to engage an authentic text in the target language. It is also expected that the student will be able to read aloud and correctly pronounce a passage of modern Irish.
Joseph Nugent, M W F 9am
EN 098 Continuing Modern Irish II
The continuation of EN097.
Joseph Nugent, M W F 12pm
* EN 181 Irish Literature Survey- Twentieth Century
This course is most suitable for underclass students. Students contemplating an Irish Studies Minor and/or exploring study abroad options are also welcome.
This course introduces students to twentieth-century Ireland's literature and culture. Early in the semester we read key literary figures, including Yeats, Synge, and Joyce. Students then turn their attention to post-Revival authors, including Kavanagh, O'Flaherty, Heaney, and Ni Dhomhnaill. The class discusses significant social, political and cultural developments, e.g., cultural nationalism and the formation of identity, the importance of the Gaelic language and problems with translation, women's role in post-independent Ireland, and Northern Ireland and the peace process.
James Smith, T TH 1:30pm
* EN 486 Drama of Harlem and Irish Renaissance
This course will examine parallels between the plays written during the Dublin and Harlem `renaissances' of the early 20th century. Of particular interest will be the attempts of playwrights in both movements to create an audience, to project a more realistic image of their people in face of entrenched stereotypes, to incorporate ethnic and racial history in their plays, to work with dialect, and to experiment with theatrical forms.
Philip O'Leary, T TH 3pm
EN 512 Old Irish
Prerequisite: Previous familiarity with an inflected language or with Modern Irish
Cross Listed with SL 343
A descriptive and historical examination of the linguistic features of Old Irish among the Celtic and Indo-European languages; the reading of Early Irish texts.
Michael J. Connolly, M W F 1pm
EN 802 Joyce's Ulysses
This course will be dedicated to an extended exploration of James Joyce's Ulysses, a novel that has often been called the most important literary work of the twentieth century. Most of our time will be devoted to an intensive reading of the novel itself, but we will also read selected critical and historical materials. No prior knowledge of Joyce's works is required, just a willingness to tackle the challenges offered by his most influential masterpiece.
Marjorie Howes, TH 4:30-6:55pm
HISTORY
* HS 431 Ireland: Union to Rebellion
Prerequisite: Any two semesters of HS 001 through HS 094
This course will examine the political, cultural and social history of Ireland from the Act of Union that united the kingdoms of Ireland and Great Britain to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 that began their separation. Topics considered in detail include the Act of Union, Daniel O'Connell and the struggle for Catholic Emancipation, the Great Famine, the Land War, the Home Rule Crisis, the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and the Treaty of 1921.
Kevin O'Neill, T TH 10:30am
* HS 436 Twentieth-Century Ireland
Prerequisite: Any two semesters of HS 001 through HS 094
This course will explore the political, cultural and social history of Ireland in the twentieth century. Topics covered will include the Gaelic and literary revival, women's suffrage, the struggle for independence, civil war and the partition of the island. We will also examine economic development on both sides of the border and look at the civil unrest that has plagued Northern Ireland over the past thirty years. Particular attention will be devoted to the unfolding peace process and the role played by British, Irish and American leaders in trying to find a solution to "The Troubles."
Robert Savage, T TH 9am
* HS 440 Early Modern Ireland: 1550-1800
Prerequisite: Any two semesters of HS 001 through HS 094
Tom Bartlett, Burns Scholar, T TH 10:30am
* HS 653 Early Christian Ireland
Prerequisite: Any two semesters of HS 001 through HS 094
Among other things, this seminar will consider the sudden widespread acceptance of Christianity in 6th-century Ireland, the concomitant rise of monasticism, the great 7th-century Easter controversy, and the promulgation of the Patrick legend in the settlement of that dispute. No knowledge of Irish Gaelic required.
Gene Haley, M 3-4:50pm
HS 843 Colloquium: Modern Irish History
Prerequisite: Graduate Student Standing
This colloquium will explore some of the major issues in Modern Irish History. Its primary focus will be on Revisionism and related developments in the writing of Irish social, economic and political history over the last two decades.
Robert Savage, T 3:00-4:50pm
MUSIC
MU 052 Irish Fiddle/Experienced Beginner
Prerequisite: MU 051
For students who have taken a full semester of Beginner Irish Fiddle (MU 051) or who have at least one year's experience playing the violin. This class will help students continue in the development of violin technique. Students will learn more advanced Irish dance tunes with some beginning ornamentation (bowing and fingering). Students may take the experienced beginner class for more than one semester until they feel ready to move to the Intermediate level. Violin rentals are possible. A small portable recorder is required.
Tina Lech, T 6:30-8:30pm
MU 053 Irish Fiddle/Intermediate
Prerequisite: MU 051
For students who have at least three years experience playing the violin (classical or traditional Irish) or who have taken the Experienced Beginner class (MU 052) and whom the instructor feels is ready for the intermediate level. Traditional music will be taught with a focus on ornamentation, bowing and style. Airs and dance music of Ireland will be covered along with music of the ancient Bardic harpers and court musicians. Classes are taught by Seamus Connolly, one of the world's leading Irish traditional musicians and ten-times Irish National Fiddle Champion. Violin rentals are possible. A small portable recorder is required.
Seamus Connolly, T 6:30-8:30
MU 073 Irish Dancing/Beginner
No prior experience necessary. Irish dance classes focusing on the traditional ceili dances of Ireland. Emphasis on the basic steps needed to execute ceili dances and demonstration of couple dancing will be the primary concentration of this class.
Meghan Allen, W 3:00-4:00pm
MU 071 Irish Dancing/Advanced Beginner
Meghan Allen, W 4:00-5:00pm
MU 072 Irish Dancing/Advanced
Meghan Allen, W 5:00-6:00pm
MU 088 Tin Whistle/Experienced to Intermediate
Prerequisite: MU 087
For students who have taken a full semester of Beginner Tin Whistle or who have at least one year's experience playing flute. The class will help students develop whistle playing while learning more advanced Irish tunes with beginning ornamentation common to Irish music. Lessons are taught by Jimmy Noonan, a well-known and respected Irish tin whistle and flute player and teacher. Any make of D-major tin whistle is required and are available for purchase locally at a nominal cost. A small tape recorder is required.
Jimmy Noonan, T 6:30-8:30pm
*MU 340 The Ballad Tradition (Spring: 3)
Cross Listed with EN 184
This course surveys the English-language ballad traditions of England, Wales, Scottland, Ireland, North America, and Australia. Beginning with the medieval Continental roots of the form, we will consider how the ballad became a popular medium for news, politics, protest, and memorialization. Case studies include Child Ballads, Jacobite songs, emigration and famine songs, Union songs, the Folk Revival, and Celtic Rock. No musical experience is assumed. Open to graduate students for credit. Fulfills study abroad pre-requisite in Ireland.
Ann Morrison Spinney, M W F 11am
