Overview of Ireland and Irish Culture

IS 3XX1 section 200 (not yet approved)

Welcome to Irish culture! This course is designed to provide a broad, general introduction to Ireland and Irish culture. It will generally follow a chronological time line, anchoring cultural events in the context of history. You will explore geography, history, literature, folklore, art, architecture, politics, music, language, and identity across the centuries. There's quite a bit of reading and a lot of writing. There are also a number of other types of learning activities. You'll have an opportunity to discuss current issues with your classmates; you'll also be able to use the discussion forum to help each other with the course, and to discuss non-course related topics. A long-term project will allow you to explore one area in depth. I look forward to working with you.

Your instructor is Pauline Nuhring, Continuing Education, UMD.
Phone: 218/726-6361.
Email: pnuhring@d.umn.edu.
Office address: 403 Darland.
Mailing address: 403 Darland, 1049 University Drive, Duluth, MN 55812-3011.

Required Texts

Purchase four texts from the UMD bookstore. (If you wish to use amazon.com or abe.com or another vendor, be aware that shipping can take considerable time. "My textbooks didn't arrive" is not an acceptable excuse for lagging behind.)

Moody, T. W. and F. X. Martin. The Course of Irish History. Published in association with Radio Telefís Éireann by Mercier Press, Dublin, 2001.

Titley, Alan. A Pocket History of Gaelic Culture. The O’Brien Press, Dublin, 2002.

Dunne, Seán, editor. The Ireland Anthology. Gill and Macmillan, Dublin, 1999.

Arnold, Bruce. Irish Art: A Concise History. Thames and Hudson, London, 2002.

Other required materials will be available online and on electronic reserve. (You are expected to be able to retrieve electronic resources from the UMD Library's databases and to be able to access electornic reserve items. For assistance, visit the Library's Frequently Asked Questions site.)

Course Expectations

All students are expected to honor and adhere to the Student Conduct Code at UMD.

All students are expected to complete all three parts of the course in order to pass. A student cannot pass the course, regardless of points earned, without successfully completing all three components.

I. Lectures, readings, assignments

There are 15 units, each worth a maximum of 15 points. For each unit, you will be expected to complete the reading from the textbook(s), read or listen to the information on the web site, complete all required activities for the unit, and submit them in a timely fashion. Click here for more information.

II. Web Discussion

There will be a discussion forum posted on Web Crossing each of the 15 weeks of the course, for a maxmimum of 5 points each week. You are expected to log in and participate each week. Minimum participation includes at least one thoughtful posting to each week's discussion, and at least one thoughtful reaction to a classmate's posting. For more details, click here.

The Web Discussion forum also includes several folders unrelated to the weekly discussions:

• The Biography folder contains student photos and brief biographies. It is the first weekk's discussion requirement. Please check in regularly to see who your classmates are.
• The folder, Molann an obair an fear, is a place for you and your classmates to give and take help and advice about course content and activities. "Molann an obair an fear" literally means "The work praises the man." In English we'd say, "What's worth doing is worth doing well." Do not hesitate to share your insights with each other or ask for advice from your classmates or bounce ideas around together. You'd do this in the classroom--why not do it online? (Reminder: good "netiquette" applies here as in all discussion forums.)
• Ui Flaithbheartaigh's Cyber Pub is a folder for you to use for networking, chatting, and otherwise interacting with one another. Part of the learning environment is investing in each other outside of class. O'Flaherty's is the cyber equivalent of hanging out in the hallway after class or having a pint at Sir Ben's. It's a place for you to touch base with each other over coffee, as it were, and keep up with other areas of your classmates' lives. You'd do this in the classroom --why not do it online? (Reminder: good "netiquette" applies here as in all discussion forums.)

III. Long Term Project

Each student will complete a long term project during the course of the 16 weeks. The goals for the project are to experience Irish culture in a hands-on way, in a way that best suits the individual student and to explore a deeper sense of Irish culture, in one small area, than might not normally be possible in a broad overview.

You will choose your own project from a list of possibilities, or create one of your own (with instructor approval). Click here for more information, project time lines and deadlines, and project ideas.

What You Can Expect from your Instructor

• All readings and activities will serve a purpose and contribute to the goals of the course.
• I will routinely monitor the discussion forum. I will not interrupt the flow unless serious errors emerge. I will not intrude into Ui Flaithbheartaigh's Cyber Pub or Molann an obair an fear unless the Student Code of Conduct is violated or standard "netiquette" fails to apply.
• I will read and assess your work in a timely fashion. Email questions will recieve a response within 24 hours (not counting weekends or holidays). Assignments turned in on time will be returned to you within 3 business days.
• I will evaluate your work consistent with the standards used for all students. I will not be more lenient nor more strict with any student.

Evaluation and Grading

Each student is expected to successfully complete all three components of the course in order to pass. Total number of points for the course will be 375:

• I. 15 lessons, 15 points each = 225
• II. 15 discussions, 5 points each = 75
• III. 75 points

Grades will be awarded based on the following scale:

• 335 - 375 = A
• 300 - 334 = B
• 265 - 299 = C
• 230 - 264 = D
• Below 230 = F

Important reminder: it is necessary to successfully complete all three components in order to pass the class. Failure to complete any one of the three components will result in failing the course.

Technical Requirements

To participate in this course you will need access to a computer with Windows 98 (or later) or Mac OS 9.2 (or later) and an Internet connection with at least a dial–up modem connection speed of 56K; a broadband (ethernet, cable modem, DSL) connection is highly recommended. In addition, sound output is also necessary for your computer.

We strongly recommend using the most current version of a web browser: Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher (Mac or PC), Netscape 7 or higher, Mozilla 1.6 or higher. There may be external links that require the use of other media players such as RealOne player or Windows media player, both of which are free downloads. You can check and test your web browser here. Also, many courses use Adobe PDF's which require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Many of UMD´s Web services (electronic library databases, electronic reserve) require you to be connected to UMD's network. We strongly recommend you use a Virtual Private Network client when connecting from outside of UMD. VPN lets you make a secure connection to a University computer from an off–campus, non–UMD connection (for example, cable or DSL modem). When you use UMD's VPN service, it makes your computer appear as though it is directly attached to UMDNet, and provides the same security and access to restricted resources that you have while on campus. You will also need to configure your email program if you work off campus.

UMD's Help Desk is available to assist you if you run into problems: 218/726-8847 or help@d.umn.edu.