Module: Conversion to Colony: Ireland 400-1200

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Conversion to Colony: Ireland 400-1200
Module Code	HY223 (ITS) / HIS1021 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
Module Co-ordinator	Sparky Booker
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This course will introduce students to the history of medieval Ireland from the conversion of the island to Christianity in the fifth century up to the arrival of the English in the twelfth century. It will cover key events and developments of the period including the process of conversion and the subsequent flourishing of Christianity in Ireland, the changing nature of Irish kingship in the early medieval period, the arrival of Scandinavian forces in Ireland and their foundation of port towns like Dublin, Waterford, and Cork, and the arrival of the English and their creation of a colony on the island after 1169. Assessments are designed to encourage students to describe and analyse processes of historical change over time and demonstrate their understanding of medieval Irish history, but also will help them to work on oral and written communication and presentation skills. Social, religious and economic developments will be discussed alongside political events and a wide range of documentary and archaeological evidence will be used to provide a rounded picture of Ireland’s history in this period.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify key developments and events in Irish history from the fifth to the twelfth century
2. Comprehend and analyse the underlying reasons for and consequences of political, religious, social, economic and cultural change.
3. Engage critically with prescribed secondary readings and the arguments of historians about this period
4. Analyse critically and discuss primary sources from this period of Irish history
5. Construct an objective and well-presented written argument based on a broad range of historical evidence.
6. Engage in self-directed learning by specialising in areas of personal interest

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Lectuers/Seminars: Attending and participating in 1 two hour lecture/seminar per week
Independent Study	50	Seminar preparation: Reading and preparing to discuss the materials assigned for each seminar
Assignment Completion	55	Research and writing
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What were the middle ages: Periodisation and sources

St Patrick and the conversion of Ireland

Irish missionary activity abroad

Early Irish politics

Irish society and economy

The changing nature of Irish kingship and the rise of the U I Neill

The Vikings in Ireland

Urbanisation and the rise of Brian Boru

Creation of an English colony in Ireland

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	This assessment contains short weekly assignments, including quizzes, outputs from group work and short reflections relating to the content of each week's classes. These assignments are mostly completed in class.	40%	As required
Essay	2,000-2,500 words summative essay related to course topics	60%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Duffy, Seán: 1997, Ireland in the Middle Ages, Basingstoke,
Ó Cróinín, Dáibhí (ed.): 2005, A new history of Ireland: Prehistoric and early Ireland, Oxford,
Ó Corráin, Donnchadh: 1972, Ireland before the Normans, Dublin,
Ó Cróinín, Dáibhí: 1995, Early medieval Ireland, 400-1200, London,
Bhreathnach, Edel: 2014, Ireland in the medieval world, AD 400-1000: landscape, kingship and religion, Dublin,

Other Resources

50048, In Class/Loop, 0, A full comprehensive reading list will be provided on loop along with further resources,