Module: Irish Education:History,Structure & Development

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Irish Education:History,Structure & Development
Module Code	EDS1074 (ITS: PR109)
Faculty	Policy & Professional Practice	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To facilitate students in considering the various historical developments in Irish Education. To allow students come to an understanding of the historical origins of the current structure of the Irish Education system To examine the structural and legislative framework within which the Irish education system operates To examine the evolution of curricular provision within the Irish education system To analyse current and future trends in Irish education

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the role of key stakeholders in the development of Irish education
2. Explain how the structural and legislative framework within which the Irish education system operates
3. Distinguish between the historical development and structural reality of the secondary education system.
4. Analyse the factors influencing curriculum developments in the Irish education system
5. Analyse current and future trends in education

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture
Independent Study	101	reading/research
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10513	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Brendan Walsh	Module Teacher	Margaret Walsh, Pat Callan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	100%	End-of-Semester

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

History of Education
The historical development of the Irish education system; the role of government, church bodies and others (colonial and independent) in the formation of education structures, curriculum, ethos and practice; education in independent Ireland including the role of nationalism, economics, vocationalism, state provision, curricular change, education policy, legislation.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Akenson, Donald H.: 0, The Irish Education Experiment,
O'Connor, Sean.: 0, A Troubled Sky,
Walsh, Brendan & Dolan, Rose: 0, A Guide to Teaching Practice in Ireland, 1 in particular,
Coolahan, John: 0, Irish Education: History and Structure,
O’Buachalla, Seamas.: 0, Educational Policy in Twentieth Century Ireland,
Walsh, Brendan (ed.): 2011, Education Studies in Ireland: Key Disciplines, History of Education in Ireland (ch 2),
Randles, Eileen.: 0, Post-Primary Education in Ireland 1957-1970,
Garvin, Tom: 0, Preventing the Future, 5 in particular,
Government of Ireland.: 1995, White Paper: Charting Our Education Future,
Walsh, Brendan.: 0, The Pedagogy of Protest, 1 in particular,
Government of Ireland: 1998, Education Act 1998,
Drudy, Sheelagh: 2009, Education in Ireland : challenge and change,
Walshe, John.: 0, A new partnership in Education: from consultation to legislation in the nineties.,
Norman, James: 0, Ethos and education in Ireland,
Harford, Judith: 0, The opening of university education to women in Ireland,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None