Module: Public Health in Ireland, c. 1850-1930

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Public Health in Ireland, c. 1850-1930
Module Code	HIS1034 (ITS: HY328)
Faculty	History & Geography	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the use of primary sources as historical evidence by engaging with specific documents and visual historical evidence relating to the history of public health in modern Ireland. Students will learn how to find and access archival material, identify the type and character of original documents, and examine and interrogate the sources. They will apply this knowledge to an original research project based on primary sources, contextualised through the work of historians. They will participate in analysing and discussing material in seminars, prepare an oral presentation and write an undergraduate thesis. At the same time they will learn about the history of public health in Ireland from the perspective of historians and historical actors.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the major themes and trends in public health in modern Ireland
2. Relate public health debates in the past to debates in the present
3. Identify research questions and perform independent research
4. Analyse primary and secondary sources in the area of public health and relate them to modern Irish history
5. Communicate their ideas clearly in written and oral form

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	44	Lectures and Seminars
Independent Study	44	Weekly reading
Independent Study	100	Independent research
Independent Study	8	Preparing presentation
Assignment Completion	54	Written Work
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20536	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		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Two document analyses: Two short essays, c.1000 words each, will analyse and contextualize two different primary source documents	25%	Week 8
Assignment	Position paper: C. 1500 words	15%	Week 6
Presentation	Research Presentation: A presentation of 10 to 15 minutes describing their research project to the group.	10%	Week 12
Research Paper	A paper on an individually identified topic including primary and secondary sources, c.6000 words.	50%	As required

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

Indicative Content
● Urban sanitation and the early public health movement ● The Poor Law and public health ● The district asylum system ● Compulsory vaccination and disease notification ● The sanatorium and tuberculosis ● Hospitals and health in the Free State ● Gender and public health provision ● Changing practices in mental health

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None