Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description Crisis, continuity and change are recurring themes in the history of twentieth-century Ireland. This module examines the central political, economic, social and cultural features of that historical experience. It introduces students to fresh currents of inquiry, reassessments of more familiar issues in light of new archival evidence, and nodal points of change. While the focus is on the island of Ireland, a comparative European context will be deployed where appropriate. The framework is both chronological and thematic. A key aim of this module is to school students in the analysis of primary sources through which to assess the following thematic questions. How successful were the state-building enterprises north and south? What developments occurred in the areas of cultural policies and priorities, economics, education and religion? Why did membership of the European Union bring about rapid societal change? How had Ireland had been transformed into one of the most globalized countries in the world by the close of the century? What was the context of the Northern Ireland Troubles and the peace process of the 1990s? This module includes a class trip to Belfast to visit government buildings at Stormont. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate a detailed and critical understanding of the key political, socio-economic and socio-cultural developments in twentieth-century Ireland. 2. Identify and assess contested historical perspectives and the changing nature of historical interpretation. 3. Evaluate in a critical manner primary source materials and secondary literature. 4. Formulate research questions, deploy effective research methodologies and embark on independent research. 5. Construct concise, original and well supported written arguments based on archival research. 6. Engage in self-directed learning through independent study in specialized areas of personal interest. 7. Deepen critical and independent thinking, analysis, perception and judgement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Indicative Content Topic 1 Building a new state: Saorstát Éireann in the 1920s Topic 2 The legacy of partition: Northern Ireland, 1920-45 Topic 3 De Valera’s Ireland, 1932-48: undoing the Anglo-Irish Treaty Topic 4 Economic developments in Ireland, north and south (Dr Almar Ennis) Topic 5 Educational developments in Ireland: towards mass participation Topic 6 The practise of religion: churches and their laities Topic 7 The politics of the Irish language Topic 8 Parties and the evolution of political competition Topic 9 The persistence of emigration from Ireland Topic 10 New departures in foreign policy: Ireland, the UN and EU Topic 11 The crisis of the Unionist state 1949-72 Topic 12 The long road to the Good Friday Agreement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books: None Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Resources
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