University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module explores key issues and developments in Northern Ireland and in the independent Irish state. These include political divisions and identities, north and south; the influence of the Catholic Church on Irish society; mid-century debates on new directions for Irish politics and society; the changing roles of women in Irish society; the Northern Ireland conflict. The end of the module explores issues of continuity and change in twentieth-century Ireland.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Outline the steps taken to consolidate power in Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.
  2. Critique the complex relationship between religion and identity decades following partition.
  3. Discuss issues of conflict in Northern Ireland from different perspectives.
  4. Identify key areas of continuity and areas of change in modern Ireland.
  5. Research and write essays presenting coherent arguments using tools the cognate disciplines of history, sociology and political science.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Ireland: The Politics of Enmity 1789-2006" by Paul Bew
    ISBN: 0199561265.
    Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
  2. "Ireland" by Terence Brown
    ISBN: 0007127561.
    Publisher: Harper Perennial
  3. "Between Two Worlds: politics and economy in independent Ireland" by Girvin, Brian
    ISBN: 0389208760.
    Publisher: Gill and Macmillan
  4. "Twentieth-century Ireland" by Dermot Keogh with Andrew McCarthy
    ISBN: 0717132978.
    Publisher: Gill & Macmillan
  5. "From Civil Rights to Armalites" by Niall O'Dochartaigh
    ISBN: 1403944318.
    Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
  6. "Family and community in Ireland" by Conrad M. Arensberg, Solon T. Kimball
    ISBN: 1900545136.
    Publisher: Clasp Press
The above information outlines module IS107: "Divided Ireland: Politics & Society since 1921" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.