DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2015 - 2016

Module Title Politics, Culture and Society in Indepen. Ire
Module Code HIS4
School Open Education

Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorDr James BruntonOffice NumberD102
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 15
Pre-requisite HIS1
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
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. Analyse the manner in which the Free State was established and consolidated in the period up to 1949
2. 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
3. Examine the role of religion and the Churches in Irish society after 1922
4. Examine the main social, economic and political developments in the Northern Irish State in the period 1920-1997
5. Analyze developments in Irish popular culture in the five decades after independence
6. Assess the importance of class and gender in a study of independent Irish society
7. Interpret developments within the Irish State in the context of international politics and developments



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Tutorial15No Description
Online activity60No Description
Independent Study300No Description
Total Workload: 375

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: Revolution and State-Building

Unit 1: Ireland 1916-1922: The Origins of Independence

Unit 2: Ireland 1923-1932: Cumann Na nGaedheal and The Irish Free State

Unit 3: Ireland 1932-1948: The Age of De Valera

Unit 4: Ireland 1948-1957: Political Social and Economic Malaise

Unit 5: Ireland 1957-1973: False Dawns

Unit 6: Ireland 1973-1982: The Crisis of State

Unit 7: Ireland 1982-2011: The Road to Recovery and Subsequent Collapse

Part 2: Northern Ireland

Unit 8: Northern Ireland 1918-1922: The Origins and Establishment of the State

Unit 9: Northern Ireland 1922-1945: The Consolidation of the State

Unit 10: Northern Ireland 1945-1969: The Years of Transition

Unit 11: Northern Ireland 1969-1993: The Troubles

Unit 12: Northern Ireland 1993-2010: The Peace Process

Part 3: Society, Economy, Culture

Unit 13: Constitutional Development 1919-2010

Unit 14: Economic Development

Unit 15: Population and Social Change

Unit 16: Education and Language

Unit 17: Popular Culture

Unit 18: Women and the New Irish State and Northern Ireland

Unit 19: Churches and State

Unit 20: Foreign Policy

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment50% Examination Weight50%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Ferriter, D.: 2004, The Transformation of Ireland, Profile Books,
  • Lee, J. J.: 1990, Ireland 1912-1985: Politics and Society, Cambridge University Press,
  • Bartlett, T.: 2010, Ireland: A History, Cambridge University Press., Cambridge,
Other Resources

None
Programme or List of Programmes
BABA in Humanities
BADIPDiploma in Humanities
BAEHBA in English & History
BASMBA Single Module
EHDIPDiploma in English & History
Archives: