DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Politics, Culture & Society in Ireland, 1916-2010
Module Code HIS1004 (ITS: HIS4)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School History & Geography
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 15
Description

This module chronicles the economic, social and cultural history of the independent Irish state and Northern Ireland in the twentieth and twenty first centuries. The module assesses the early development of the Irish Free State under Cumann na nGaedheal and continues through various governments leading to the collapse of the Celtic Tiger and the recession while an examination of events in Northern Ireland is also offered. As well as discussing key political developments, a social and cultural assessment is given with particular emphasis placed on population and social change, education, language and popular culture while the role of women within Irish society is also addressed. The module examines the relationship between the churches and state as well as the collapse of the Catholic Church in the 1990s and the decline of clerical influence on Irish society. As well as looking at the Troubles and the Peace Process in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland’s role within wider European developments is also examined, as increased levels of immigration forms an important part of more recent Irish society.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1D647E8C-2478-0001-D993-80408096C360
2. Analyse the manner in which the Free State was established and consolidated in the period up to 1949
4. 6,9
5. 1
6. 1D647E8C-27BE-0001-9293-327014401975
7. Assess the changing political, social and economic landscape of the Irish State in the period after the establishment of the Republic of Ireland in 1949
9. 6,11,9
10. 2
11. 1D647E8C-31E5-0001-B3BC-E61E59D3C1F0
12. Examine the main social, economic and political developments in Ireland (North and South) in the period 1920-1997
14. 7,6,11,9
15. 3
16. 1D647E8C-352D-0001-9428-10DA1C001AD0
17. Analyse developments in Irish popular culture, class and gender in the five decades after independence
19. 9
20. 4
21. 1D647E8C-39FA-0001-6E43-1538E0107AD0
22. Interpret developments within the Irish State in the context of international politics
24. 11,10
25. 5
26. 1DF1551E-8EC3-0001-97E5-10F513998770
27. Apply historical research skills effectively communicate historical ideas
29. 8
30. 6


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Tutorial18No Description
Online activity60No Description
Independent Study297No Description
Total Workload: 375
Section Breakdown
CRN11446Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework100%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsN
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorNeville ScarlettModule TeacherLeeann Lane, Shirley Anne O'Brien
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PresentationOnline presentation20%n/a
Completion of online activityOnline debate25%n/a
EssayEssay30%n/a
EssayEssay25%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 l,
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

Part 1: Ireland 1916-2010
Ireland 1916-1922; Ireland 1923 - 1932: Cumann Na nGaedhael and The Irish Free State; Ireland 1932 - 1948: The Age of De Valera; Ireland 1948 - 1957: Political, Social and Economic Malaise; Ireland 1957 - 1973: False Dawns; Ireland 1973 - 1982: The Crisis of a State; Ireland 1982 - 2011: The Road To Recovery and Subsequent Collapse

Part 2: Northern Ireland 1918-2010
Northern Ireland 1918 - 1922: The Origins and Establishment of the State; Northern Ireland 1922 - 1945: The Consolidation of the State; Northern Ireland 1945-1969: The Years of Transition; Northern Ireland 1969 - 1993: The Troubles; Northern Ireland 1993-2010: The Peace Process

Part 3: Irish Social & Cultural History
Population and Social Change, Education and Language; Popular Culture; Women and The New Irish State and Northern Ireland; Churches and State

Part 4: The Irish Economy, Law and Foreign Policy 1916-2010
Constitutional Development 1919-1920; Economic Development; Foreign Policy

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Ferriter, D.: 2005, The Transformation of Ireland, Profile Books,
  • Lee, J. J.: 2010, Ireland 1912-1985: Politics and Society, Cambridge University Press,
  • Bartlett, T.: 2011, Ireland: A History, Cambridge University Press., Cambridge,
  • Whelan, B.: 2019, Ireland's Revolutionary Diplomat: A Biography of Leopold Kerney, University of Notre Dame Press,
  • Farrell, M.: 2017, Party Politics in a New Democracy. The Irish Free State, 1922-37, Palgrave Macmillan,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

<< Back to Module List View 2024/25 Module Record for HIS1004