ENGLISH 306.001: Survey of Irish Literature
Fall 2014
TR 11:00-12:15, CRT 124
Instructor: Professor José Lanters
Office: Curtin 489
Office hours: T 1:00-2:00, R 10:00-10:30, and by appointment
Phone: (414) 229-4799 (office)
Email: lanters@uwm.edu
Course Description:
Irish literature is as rich and varied as the country’s history. “Irishness” is not an innate quality,
but a cultural and political construct that is constantly re-“invented.” Beginning with the earliest
poems and legends, and moving via the Anglo-Irish perspective of the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries, and the Irish Literary Renaissance of the early twentieth century, to a more urban and
cosmopolitan contemporary perspective, this course offers an introduction to Irish writing and an
exploration of several varieties of “Irishness” as expressed through the literature.
Assessment:
Two papers (circa 1700 words, double spaced, 12 point, 1 inch margins) (25% each)
Midterm exam (20%)
Final exam (30%)
Books:
Marie Heaney, Over Nine Waves
John P. Harrington, ed., Modern and Contemporary Irish Drama
Roddy Doyle, The Deportees
Bernard MacLaverty, Cal
William Trevor, ed. Irish Short Stories
Course packet (Clark Graphics, Oakland Ave. near the corner of Locust St.)
Course Policies:
Students must complete all assignments. For each item not completed a grade of F will be
substituted. Deadlines must be observed. Barring catastrophic circumstances, no make-up tests
will be given.
Attendance is required. Unexcused absences and class participation will be taken into account
when the final grade is determined.
University policies (inc. academic misconduct): see UWM Fac. Doc. 1895 (attached).
http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/SyllabusLinks.pdf.
WEEK 1
September 2
September 4
WEEK 2
September 9
Introduction.
“The Mythological Cycle,” in Over Nine Waves, 3-62.
September 11
The Ulster Cycle,” in Over Nine Waves, 65-112. “The Conception of Cú
Chulainn” and “The Wooing of Emer” (course packet 1-6).
“The Ulster Cycle,” in Over Nine Waves, 113-52.
WEEK 3
September 16
September 18
“The Finn Cycle,” in Over Nine Waves, 155-79, 214-21.
Selected early texts, 6th-12th centuries (course packet 7-41).
WEEK 4
September 23
September 25
WEEK 5
September 30
Aisling poetry; Jonathan Swift, “A Modest Proposal” (course packet 4259).
“Cromwell and the Friar” (Irish Short Stories 5-8); Maria Edgeworth,
“The Limerick Gloves” (Irish Short Stories 27-51); historical background
(course packet 60-64).
October 2
W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, Cathleen Ni Houlihan (Irish Drama 3-11);
“The Adventures of the Sons of Eochaid Mugmedon”; J.M. Synge, “The
Vagrants of Wicklow” (course packet 65-75).
James Joyce, “The Dead” (Irish Short Stories 228-66).
WEEK 6
October 7
October 9
J. M. Synge, The Playboy of the Western World (Irish Drama 68-112).
J. M. Synge, The Playboy of the Western World (continued).
WEEK 7
October 14
October 16
Liam O’Flaherty, “The Fanatic” (Irish Short Stories 300-10); Frank
O’Connor, “Guests of the Nation” (Irish Short Stories 342-53). History:
Easter Rising and Civil War (course packet 76-81).
MIDTERM EXAM
WEEK 8
October 21
Sean OʼCasey, Juno and the Paycock (Irish Drama 197-246).
! PAPER 1 DUE ON October 21
October 23
Sean OʼCasey, Juno and the Paycock (continued).
WEEK 9
October 28
October 30
Mary Lavin, “Sarah” (Irish Short Stories 392-400); Edna O’Brien, “Irish
Revel” (Irish Short Stories 495-514); Mary Cummins, “A Nurse at the
Rotunda”, historical background (course packet 82-88).
Poems about Northern Ireland; background (course packet 89-101).
WEEK 10
November 4
November 6
Bernard MacLaverty, Cal.
Bernard MacLaverty, Cal (continued).
WEEK 11
November 11
November 13
Brian Friel, Translations (Irish Drama 255-308).
Brian Friel, Translations (continued).
WEEK 12
November 18
November 20
Marina Carr, By the Bog of Cats (Irish Drama 352-97).
Marina Carr, By the Bog of Cats (continued).
WEEK 13
November 25
Contemporary poetry (course packet 102-13)
!PAPER 2 DUE ON Nov. 25
WEEK 14
December 2
December 4
WEEK 15
December 9
December 11
Roddy Doyle, The Deportees (1-129).
Roddy Doyle, The Deportees (130-242).
Fintan OʼToole, “Chums?”; Glenn Patterson, “Belfast, a Brick and the G8
Summit” (course packet 114-127).
Revision.
FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.