The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the study of literature and culture in the Irish context, and to equip students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to critically approach artistic and literary production in Ireland. Students will examine texts and artefacts from a variety of perspectives in order to understand how cultural identification is shaped and perceived. The course focuses on basic assessments and perspectives on Irish writing, both in historical context and in relation to contemporary socio-political situations. The course introduces students to the various contexts in which Irish writing in English has developed from the late seventeenth century to the present. The publishers, periodicals and institutions through which Irish writing has been produced and communicated will also be discussed, covering a wide range of historical periods, genres and writers. The benefit of the course for students is how Irish writing connects with Irish culture and history, while exploring the identity of the Irish people and appreciating the complexity and diversity of the Irish experience. It is also a way to gain insight into the many voices of Ireland and understand the struggles, joys and successes of its people.
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