UNDERGRADUATE MODULE OFFERINGS 2014-15
School of History and Anthropology
Module code HIS3073
Module title: The Irish Revolution, 1917-1921
MODULE CONVENOR: Marie Coleman/Fearghal McGarry
TEACHING STAFF: Marie Coleman/Fearghal McGarry
ESTIMATED COURSE SIZE: 24-36
COURSE CONTENTS (max 500 characters)
This module explores revolutionary politics in Ireland between 1917 and 1921. Key
themes include the rise of Sinn Féin, the establishment of Dáil Éireann and its
revolutionary government, the Irish Volunteers’ campaign against British forces and
the British government’s response to these challenges. The module investigates
controversial questions relating to the Irish revolution: what factors motivated
republicans, how important was sectarianism in revolutionary violence, why did some
areas of the country see little fighting, and how important a factor was the North? An
understanding of the historiography of the Irish revolution will form an important
aspect of this module, as will the study of primary source documents.
REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance at weekly one-hour lectures and two-hour seminars; reading of primary
source documents and at least three chapters/articles per week.
Compulsory elements (MAX. 500 CHARACTERS)
Students will write two terms essays and one presentation.
GOALS & SKILLS: (300 WORDS)
On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate:
● An ability to identify the key issues and themes of this period.
● An understanding of the importance of the economic, social and cultural forces
which contributed to the events of this period.
● An ability to assess and evaluate a range of approaches to the key controversies
relating to the Irish revolution.
● Familiarity with key primary source documents of the period, and an ability to
analyse them.
● An understanding of the historiography of the Irish revolution.
TEACHING CONTACT HOURS:
A weekly one-hour lecture and a weekly two-hour seminar.
MODULE ASSESSMENT
Assessment Profile:
Element type
Exam
Two essays
Tutorial participation
Element weight(%)
50%
40%
10%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (OPTIONAL)
The core textbooks for this course are:
Peter Hart, The I.R.A. at War, 1916-1923 (Oxford, 2003)
Marie Coleman, The Irish Revolution, 1916-1923 (London, 2013)