ENGL 5235G - Irish Literature to 1850

Institution:

Georgia Southern University

Subject:

ENGL English

Description:

The course examines Irish literature from its beginnings in the Gaelic oral tradition to the Great Famine of the 1840s. Students gain clear understanding of how Ireland's colorful and complex history has yielded exceptional prose, poetry, and drama. Matters considered include Ireland's four mythological cycles; its pseudo-historical invasion narratives; and its hagiographies (accounts of saints' lives). Students also study writings that reflect the four major stages of British colonization: Cambro-Norse, Tudor, Jacobean (or Scots-Irish), and Cromwellian. In addition, they explore literary genres specific to Ireland: dinnseanchas (place-lore literature); the aisling (nationalist vision literature); the caoineadh (bardic lament literature); and the Big House novel, which often has Gothic overtones. The course exposes participants to other important phenomena, too: the so-called stage Irishman; the peasant archetype; literature of resistance and revolution; and travel writings in the sublime tradition. All texts studied are in English or English translation. Graduate students will be required to do extra work as determined by the instructor.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.georgiasouthern.edu

Phone Number:

(912) 478-5391

Regional Accreditation:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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