Irish History and Politics

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Course Description:

Introduction to Irish Politics: This course will attempt to analyze and examine the causes of the conflicts in the North of Ireland that raged from 1969 until 1994, and are still unresolved despite the 1994 Good Friday Agreement. The course format will be as follows:

• Lectures from various historians, writers, poets, community leaders, and politicians.  Visits will be made to historical sites in Belfast, Derry and Dublin.
• The students will have an opportunity to directly observe the current situation in Ireland and the course will take a very "hands-on learning" approach to the conflict.

Course Information:

Course #: HIST 200
Course Title: "The Causes of the Conflict in Ireland"
Division: Humanities
Mode: Academic Travel
Credits: 3
Instructor: Paul Pelan, M.A.
Term:  Summer Intersession

Objectives:

1. To understand the origins of the conflict in Ireland and focus on the current stage of the conflict located in the northern part of the island
2. To attend lectures by and interview various members of Irish society in an attempt to help understand the conflict
3. To complete the course and have a reasonable understanding of the conflict and to be encouraged to continue studying Irish history and society

Learning Activities:

1. Lectures and presentations at various academic venues, including Queens University Belfast and the University of Ulster.
2. On-site learning at various academic institutions, heritage centers, and folk museums
3. Extensive readings and presentations
   [This course may be taken for credit in History, Political Science, Cultural Studies, Literature, or Sociology. The student's directed readings and writing assignments will be tailored to the meet the requisites of the appropriate discipline. Pre-approval by the student's Academic Advisor/Department Chair is strongly recommended.]

Means of Evaluation:

1. Attendance and participation at classes and presentations
2. Readings and analysis of required articles and texts
3. Submission of two required essays/projects (see below)
4. Submission of a journal with daily entries reflecting expectations, lecture notes, presentations, readings, and observations

Course Direction:

Section I

Conquest and Rebellion

The Celts, The Vikings and the Normans

Section II

The 1916 Rising

The War of Independence and the Irish Civil War

Partition and the Creation of the Northern Ireland State

Section III

The IRA and Loyalism

Section IV

The Future for Ireland: Will the Good Friday Agreement Work?

Texts:

Liz Curtis, The Cause of Ireland: From the United Irishmen to Partition(BTP, Ltd.)

Moody, T M & Martin, FX (eds), The Course of Irish History (new updated version) (Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 2002)

Gerry Adams, Hope and History: Making Peace in Ireland (Brandon, 2003)

Richard English, Armed Struggle: A History of The IRA (Macmillan, 2003)

J.J. Lee, Ireland, 1912-85: Politics and Society (Cambridge University Press, 1990)

Michael Farrell, Northern Ireland: The Orange State (Pluto Press, 1990)

Video Series:

In Search Of Ancient Ireland (PBS)

Bloody Sunday

The Crying Game

Program Itinerary (subject to change):

Day 1: Depart US/Canadian Airports to Dublin

Day 2: Travel To Belfast

Reception in Belfast City Hall with the First Sinn Fein Major of Belfast, Alex Maskey.

Day 3:
Morning: Tour of Belfast with visit to Stormont and the Headquarters of the Northern Ireland Executive Afternoon Tour of West Belfast, including a visit to the Republican Plot in Milltown Cemetery.
Evening: traditional music session

Day 4:
Morning Lecture: "The Celts and the Invasion of Ireland"
Afternoon Lecture: "Ulster Unionism Explained"

Day 5: Morning Lecture: "Republicanism"

Afternoon: "The Media and the Conflict"

Evening: Free

Day 6: Visit to the Glens of Antrim.
Lecture: "History of the United Irishmen"
Visit to Corrymeela.
Lecture: "Conflict Resolution"

Day 7: Visit to the historic city of Derry. Guest Lecture: Eamon McCann, "Derry's

Role in the Current Conflict"

Day 8: Visit to Donegal.
Lecture: "Why was Donegal Partitioned?"

Day 9: Community work visit in Donegal

Day 10: Visit to Dublin Parliament and lecture from TD (politician)
Walking tour of Dublin

Day 11: Visit to Kilmainham Jail and the General Post Office
Evening: Theater night, Dublin

Day 12: Visit to ancient monastic site at Glendalough

Day 13: Return home

Lecture Information:

• Morning Lectures and Presentations – begin at 10:00 AM
• Afternoon Field Trips and Cultural Venues – begin at 2:00 PM
• Evening Programs/Entertainments (music, dances, films, storytelling) – begin at 7:30 PM
• Readings are divided into "Pre-departure" and "On-site"
• Number of Contact Hours: 52 (3 credits)
• Course credit is assigned under "The Division of Further Education" by the Columba Centre (Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile) of the University of the Highlands and Islands
• Instructor: Paul M. Pelan, M.A., Lecturer in Irish History and Politics