Course Syllabus

Ireland through Words, Images & Music

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Course Description

An interdisciplinary introduction to contemporary Ireland, this course explores the relationship between Irish experience and the representation of Irish life exported in the country's writing, cinema, and music. Students will read works by major Irish writers and view adaptations of Irish literature in film. Set against a backdrop of Irish music, traditional and modern, students will explore Ireland's history and changing culture.

Essential Objectives

1. Identify major themes in Irish literature, cinema, and songs, and examine how these reflect historical and cultural circumstances.
2. Critically read the works of a broad selection of early and modern Irish writers and analyze the images of culture and individuals presented in these, focusing on issues of change in relation to political power, economic prosperity, religion, gender, and cultural identity.
3. Define literary elements such as theme, character, plot, imagery, point of view, and narrative technique, and discuss how these are employed in a distinctive way in Irish literature.
4. Compare written Irish works to their adaptations in film, examining how artistic interpretation and the use of visual imagery and sound tracks influence the portrayal of Irish history and culture.
5. Describe the rebirth of traditional Irish music and examine the role of this in shaping the social life, cultural identity, artistic growth, and modern music of contemporary Ireland.
6. Discuss the role of literature, films, folklore, and music in projecting Irishness to an international audience and question what cultural understanding is lost or gained in this process.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Fall 2024 textbook/book details will be available on 2024-05-20. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Integrated: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

Fáilte!This class is your opportunity to learn about the literature, music, art, and film of Ireland. Get ready to be transported by the sounds of bodhrans, tin whistles, and fiddles; to read the oldest Irish literature and mythology that still shapes modern literature and culture today; to learn about the folklore of Éire; to watch films and listen to protest songs focused on the Troubles;and to immerse yourself in modern Irish culture. Put stereotypes in your back pocket - no leprechauns or pots of gold here! - as we get to know the real Ireland through words, images, and music!

Throughout the semester we will explore the many fields of Irish studies, including music, art, language, mythology, and folklore. You will read some of Ireland’s oldest literature and learn about the heroes, villains, mythology, and traditional lore that has shaped and continues to shape Irish literature, film, music, comedy, and art. Most weeks will consist of a short lecture, a bit of assigned reading (to be completed before class), and lots of classroom discussion, in-class activities, and exploration.

We meet the objectives through

· Weekly readings, music selections, and/or films

· Weekly class discussions based on student questions, readings, and topic questions

· A self-directed research essay and final project requiring research on topics YOU find interesting.

· Other assignments (occasional reading journals and quizzes, a short presentation, reviews, etc.)

Evaluation Criteria

Assessment, or how your grade is calculated:

Engagement and Participation: 20%

• This category includes attendance and participation in classroom discussions and activities

Final project: 20%

• The final project can consist of a research paper (6-8pages long) or it can be more creative (vlog, creative writing piece, folklore collection, etc.).

Class portfolio: 20%

• The class portfolio will consist of:
  • Brief Artifact analysis (5%)
  • Brief film or music review (5%)
  • Brief literature review (5%)
  • Final reflection and self assessment (5%)

Short Essay: 15%

• One short essay (4-5pages) about a topic of your choosing. The essay should be academic in nature (e.g. should include outside research that uses scholarly sources), but it can also be rooted in your own interests and/or experiences

Quizzes and journals: 15%

• Some weeks we will have short quizzes or journal assignments that ask you to respond to that week’s readings or content.

Class presentation: 10%

• One five-minute presentation on a topic of your choice. Sign up sheet will be posted on Canvas at the beginning of the semester. You may want to have a look at the syllabus to identify a week that looks interesting to you. For example, if you are interested in folklore, consider presenting on a relevant topic during the week we explore Irish folk traditions.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

According to CCV's stated attendance policy, "Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential components of a student’s success in college and are completion requirements for courses at CCV, where small classes support the college’s commitment to active learning."Therefore, four absences or more, whether consecutive or non-consecutive, will result in failure of the course regardless of the student cumulative grade. Four absences is equivalent to missing more than 25% of the course, which is built on a foundation of participatory discussion.Missing class adversely affects the class experience as well as the learning of the individual student.

In the case of an emergency or illness, please notify the office and/or myself of the situation. The absent student is responsible for collecting class notes and handouts. Homework assignments are still due even when you miss class, and work for the following class must be ready on time.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Canvas will automatically deduct 1% of the grade for each day it is late, up to a maximum of seven days. After seven days, the assignment will receive a zero. Extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances only if communicated in advance. I understand that life happens, so please reach out to me to discuss any potential extension.If you're having a hard time navigating things, please reach out. I'm here to help support you!

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity