English 306-001
Survey of Irish Literature
Instr: Liddy, James
Office: CRT 517; 229-5441
e-mail: NONE
Office Hours: T; 3:00-5:00pm
Course Information: T&R; 12:30-1:45pm; CRT 466
Course Description
This course is an overview of the modern literature of Ireland in English. The time period is from the 17th century to the present. The specific stylistic and psychological models of English and Gaelic will be noted, as will the colonial/post-colonial condition of Ireland.
No student will be allowed more than four absences. Barring emergencies, no incompletes will be given (information on student rights and duties obtainable from English Department). There will be a term paper of 10 pages due on December 2, citations from the internet should be checked with published sources. Critical treatment of Irish literature should not be identical to that applied to other literatures in English: there should be an Irish dimension. There will be in class exams on October 14 and November 18. Students will give an informal report on an aspect of Irish literature; there will be conferences.
Order of texts:
Kinsella and O Tuama, eds. An Duanaire, 1600-1900 Poems of the Dispossessed
W.B. Yeats, Easter 1916 and Other Poems
Lady Gregory, Selected Writings
Roddy Doyle, A Star Called Henry
Rita Kelly, Traveling West
Samuel Beckett, Rockaby and Other Short Pieces
Mary Gordon, The Shadow Man
Terence Winch, Special Place
Assuming attendance is in order, grades will be: paper 40%, exams 40%, discussion and report 20%.
We shall wet the shamrock and cut birthday cakes.
