HIST 380A Medieval Ireland to 1607
Ireland has been invaded repeatedly throughout its history. Each wave of new arrivals has caused a renegotiation of what it means to be "Irish." This course will engage directly with that question by surveying Irish society and culture from pre-Christian times down to the end of the old Gaelic order in 1607. We will glance at Irish prehistory and then examine "Celtic" society -its social structure, laws and literature. Next, we will trace the impact of the Christianization of Ireland on this society. We will look at the effect on Ireland of invasions by the Vikings and the Normans, and the establishment of English rule in Ireland. We will then study the varying fortunes of the competing groups in Irish society (Gaelic Irish and Anglo-Irish), analyze the advent of the Reformation in Ireland, and examine the final conquest of Ireland in the reign of Elizabeth I and the passing of the old order. The class emphasizes active learning. Along with traditional lectures, there will be both discussions and structured exercises, with a focus on analyzing primary sources in their historical context.