Module: History of Education in Ireland

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	History of Education in Ireland
Module Code	EDS1034 (ITS: PR111)
Faculty	Policy & Professional Practice	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To introduce students to the development of education at primary and post-primary levels in Ireland. To highlight patterns of development, engagement and provision in relation to the various parties involved in provision since the inception of the primary system. To encourage students to engage with the various philosophical issues pertaining to schooling as a historically and contemporaneously contested territory. To raise student awareness of recent issues arsing in educational policy in relation to teaching, curriculum and the teaching body.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically reflect on different historical perspectives and appraise their impact on teaching and learning in contemporary Post Primary Education.
2. Synthesize the major historical concepts and theoretical perspectives and interpret their influence on education policy and practice in contemporary post primary education
3. Appraise the relevance of the History of Education in the development of the Irish post primary education system
4. Investigate how the History of Education informs the practice of post primary teachers in the Irish education system
5. Apply a critical understanding of the history of teaching and learning and recognise it's manifestation in modern day, post primary education.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Debate and Input on Historical and Cultural Analysis of Irish Education
Independent Study	77	Reflecting on core questions of module.
Online activity	12	On Line reflection on specific topics in history of education
Independent Study	12	Required Study/Reading Reserved Publications
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20331	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Paul Grimes	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	20331	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Paul Grimes	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Critical literature review and conceptual analysis on an aspect of the history of Irish Education.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

The role of historical discourse in educational enquiry

Irish Education 1800-1960
Primary Schooling

Irish Education 1800-1960
Secondary Schooling

Irish Education 1800-1960
Technical/Vocational Education

Irish Education 1800-1960
University Education

Irish Education Post 1960
Overview of educational change in Ireland 1960-2013.

Irish Education Post 1960
Education in the Irish Constitution

Irish Education Post 1960
Role of Government

Irish Education Post 1960
Role of OECD and EU in Irish Education

Irish Education Post 1960
Early Childhood and Primary Schooling

Irish Education Post 1960
Post-primary Schooling

Irish Education Post 1960
Irish Cultural Heritage and Changing Society

Irish Education Post 1960
Teaching Profession

Irish Education Post 1960
Adult and Higher Education

Irish Education Post 1960
Special Education Needs

Irish Education Post 1960
Education Structures

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Hogan, P.: 1995, The Custody and Courtship of Experience: Western Philosophical Perspective (Dublin: Columba),
Norman, J.: 2003, Ethos and Education in Ireland (New York: Peter Lang).,
Coolahan, J.: 1991, Irish Education: History and Structure, Dublin,,
Walsh, B.: 2011, Education Studies in Ireland, Gill and McMillan, Dublin, 0717147665,
Walsh, B. Scruton, R.: 2012, Degrees of Nonsense, The Demise of the University in Ireland. 1908689021,
O'Buachalla, S: 1988, Educational Policy in Ireland in the Twentieth Century. Dublin: Wolfhound Press.,
Walsh. B.: 2007, The Pedagogy of Protest: The Educational Thought and Work of Patrick H. Pearse. Peter Lang.,
Randles, E.: 1975, Post-Primary Education in Ireland 1957-1970, Dublin : Veritas Publications.,
Raftery, D. & Parkes, S.: 2007, Female Education in Ireland 1700-1920: Minerva or Madonna. chapter one in particular,,
Harford, J.: 2008, The Opening of University Education to Women in Ireland, Irish Academic Press. (First chapter in particular),

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Government Publication: Department of Education and Science, 1995, Charting our Education Future: White Paper, DES,