1. IRE163 Contemporary Irish American Literature and Culture
Professor Patricia Cregan Navarra
Course description
This is an interdisciplinary course that surveys contemporary Irish American literature,
music and film in four distinct units: The History of the Irish in America, Old World
Stories in Irish America, New World Stories in Irish America, and How Being Irish
Became (Mad) Cool. We will examine the breadth of Irish American identity from the
Westies to JFK, and from F.Scott Fitzgerald to the Dropkick Murphys and Black 47.
Course objectives
To establish an understanding of contemporary Irish American culture – specifically in
literature, music and film – through the confluence of history, economics and religion; to
consider the influence of the Irish on American culture; to draw parallels between the
Irish American experience and that of other ethnic groups; and to engage students in a
relatively new field of study in which connections can be made between Woodside and
Hollywood, the Rockaways and Rock ‘n Roll.
Student achievement will be measured by the development of two formal papers (4-5
pages, a research project and oral presentation, and in-class writing and discussions.
[Note: for Study Abroad, given the opportunity for cultural
immersion and participation in various Arts and Film Festivals,
student achievement will be measured by full participation in the
program, journal entries and in-class writing which will be
collected every Thursday, class discussion, one 4-6 page paper
assignment with an oral presentation (presentation may be done
in small groups), and a take home final exam (5-6 pages) you
may email me by August 7.] This class is an intensive reading, writing, and
public speaking experience which calls upon critical thinking and reading skills
Therefore, in addition to its specific focus on the topics associated with its title and
description, it also emphasizes the development of intellectual and academic skills
associated with a general liberal arts education. This course exposes students to the
following student learning goals/objectives:
-- The ability to think critically and creatively
-- The ability to read with comprehension, and critically interpret written work in
discipline-specific contexts
2. -- Enlist several academic disciples to explore how Irish emigration influenced American
literature and culture.
-- Refine research skills and criteria, so that students can independently explore new areas
of study.
-- Enhance students’ abilities to analyze the connections between art, literature and
culture.
-- Consider the significance between art and community.
-- Strengthen students’ abilities to express ideas and opinions in oral presentation.
-- Collaborate within small learning communities.
Required Texts:
Alice McDermott, Charming Billy
William Kennedy, Ironweed
Larry Kirwan, Green Suede Shoes
Various articles posted on e-reserve (or sent to you by email), as noted in your reading
schedule
Films (We will see at least one full-length film as a class)
The Departed
The Brothers McMullen
The McCourts of New York
The Road to Perdition
The Gangs of New York
Classroom policies
3. 1. [Note: for Summer sessions, to include Study Abroad, your full
attendance at every session is necessary to earn credit for this
course.] Engagement (10% of your grade) begins with attendance. Both absences and
lateness will affect this portion of your grade. You are allowed two absences without
penalty; a third absence will result in the reduction of this portion (10%) of your grade by
a full letter grade. A fourth absence will result in the reduction of your final grade by a
full letter grade. A fifth absence can result in a failing grade for the course. Your
participation will be measured by your preparation, the thoughtfulness of your daily (10-
minute) in-class writing, and contributions to class discussion and group work. If you
have questions about an assignment or your work in class, please feel free to email or call
me, or ask for an appointment. That, too, counts as participation.
Most classes begin with a 10-minute quiz, which will just be a written response to a
question about the readings due that day. This is part of your engagement and
participation grade. It is also your chance to ask questions. In fairness to all, you may
not make up quizzes outside of class.
3. There will be two short (4-5 page) writing assignments (25% each), and one final
research project and oral presentation (25%). Engagement, to include participation in
various Irish Studies events on campus, will comprise 10% of your grade. Your in-class
writing responses will make up 15% of your grade. (Irish Studies events will be posted;
your attendance will also require a one-page response.) A mid-term is not scheduled,
although I may schedule one if the class is not keeping up with reading and assignments.
4. Avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious ethical and professional infraction. Hofstra’s
policy on academic honesty reads: “The academic community assumes that work of any
kind [...] is done, entirely, and without assistance, by and only for the individual(s) whose
name(s) it bears.” Please refer to the “Procedure for Handling Violations of Academic
Honesty by Undergraduate Students at Hofstra University” to be found at
http://www.hofstra.edu/PDF/Senate_FPS_11.pdf , for details about what constitutes
plagiarism, and Hofstra’s procedures for handling violations.
5. Note on Disabilities:
If you have any concerns regarding a physical, psychological and/or learning disability
that may have an impact upon your performance in this course, appropriate
accommodations can be made on an individualized, as-needed basis after the needs,
circumstances and documentation have been evaluated by the appropriate office on
campus. The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities is located in 212 Memorial
Hall. Telephone: 516-463-7074. Please see the Hofstra Guide to Pride, or see their site:
http://www.hofstra.edu/StudentAffairs/stddis/index.html . All disability-related
information will be kept confidential. I am happy to work with you, so please don’t be
shy about asking for what the law provides.
4. Bibliography (suggested resources for your final research project):
Alice McDermott, Weddings and Wakes, 2004 (fiction)
Interview with Terence Winch/Irish Studies Program 2002 (education)
Terence Winch, That Special Place: New World Irish Stories, 2004 (history; education)
Catherine Brady, Curled in the Bed of Love, 2003 (fiction)
Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast (fiction)_
Mary Gordon, More than Just a Shrine (memoir; non-fiction)
Eileen Myles, Cool for You (LGBT fiction)
O’Neill, Long Days Journey into Night (drama)
Diane Negra, The Irish in Us: Irishness, Performativity and Popular Culture, 2006
(sociology)
David Lampe, Legend of Being Irish: A Collection of Irish american Poetry, 1989 (lit)
Thomas Maier, The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings, 2004 (psychology; history)
song lyrics: The Fields of Athenry; Skibbereen (music)
Malachy McCourt, Danny Boy: The Beloved Irish Ballad, 2001 (psychology; history)
Eamonn Wall, From the Sin-e-Café to the Black Hills: Notes on the New Irish, 2000
(sociology)
Diane Negra, The New Primitives, 2001(sociology)
Fintan O’Toole, Ex-Isle of Erin, 1997 (history; sociology)
Cormac O’Grada, Black ’47 and Beyond: the Great Irish Famine in History, Economy,
and Memory, 2000 (economics)
This syllabus is a work in progress and subject to change.
5. Tentative Class/Reading Schedule:
Note: all classes begin with a 10-minute in-class writing assignment to be kept in your
program journals
FRINGE FESTIVAL events TBA
Mon., July 2: Diane Negra, “The New Primitives”; William Kennedy, Ironweed, pp.
1-99
Tues., July 3: Kennedy, pp. 100-150; Lyrics, the Fields of Athenry and discussion
Wed., July 4: Kennedy, pp. 150-227; film, “The McCourts of New York”
Thur., July 5: SUMMIT, ALL CLASSES 1:30-4:00; Bobby Sands, “The Lark and
the Freedom Fighter”; Seamus Heaney, “from the Cure at Troy”
Week 2:
FILM FESTIVAL events TBA
Mon., July 9: Diane Negra, “Consuming Ireland”; Alice McDermott, Charming
Billy, pp. 1-90
Tues., July 10: McDermott, pp. 91-155
Wed., July 11: McDermott, pp. 157-243
Thur., July 12: SUMMIT, 1:30-4:00
Week 3:
ARTS FESTIVAL events TBA
Mon., July 16, Larry Kirwan, Green Suede Shoes, pp. 1-103
Tues., July 17, Kirwan, pp. 104-226
Wed., July 18, Kirwan, pp. 227-397
Thur., July 19, SUMMIT 1:30-4:00
Fri., July 20: Program trip to Inis Oirr
6. Additional readings: Diane Negra, “The New Primitives”, “Consuming Ireland”;
pdfs sent to your email address; also available online from Hofstra University
library.
Lyrics, The Fields of Athenry
By a lonely prison wall,
I heard a young girl calling
Michael, they have taken you away,
For you stole Trevelyan's corn,
So the young might see the morn.
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay.
Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.
By a lonely prison wall,
I heard a young man calling
Nothing matters, Mary, when you're free
Against the famine and the Crown,
I rebelled, they cut me down.
Now you must raise our child with dignity.
Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.
By a lonely harbor wall,
she watched the last star falling
As that prison ship sailed out against the sky
Sure she'll wait and hope and pray,
for her love in Botany Bay
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.
Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry.
-Bobby Sands (required reading): stargazing-at-woolgatherers.blogspot.com/.../lark-
and-freedom-fighte...
7. -Seamus Heaney (required reading):
from The Cure at Troy
Human beings suffer,
they torture one another,
they get hurt and get hard.
No poem or play or song
can fully right a wrong
inflicted or endured.
The innocent in gaols
beat on their bars together.
A hunger-striker's father
stands in the graveyard dumb.
The police widow in veils
faints at the funeral home.
History says, Don't hope
on this side of the grave.
But then, once in a lifetime
the longed for tidal wave
of justice can rise up,
and hope and history rhyme.
So hope for a great sea-change
on the far side of revenge.
Believe that a further shore
is reachable from here.
Believe in miracles
and cures and healing wells.
Call the miracle self-healing:
The utter self-revealing
double-take of feeling.
If there's fire on the mountain
Or lightning and storm
And a god speaks from the sky
That means someone is hearing
the outcry and the birth-cry
of new life at its term.
~ Seamus Heaney ~
Supplemental reading: www.litandwriting.umb.edu/engl377/spg07/.../Hamill-Bearing.doc
![IRE163 Contemporary Irish American Literature and Culture
Professor Patricia Cregan Navarra
Course description
This is an interdisciplinary course that surveys contemporary Irish American literature,
music and film in four distinct units: The History of the Irish in America, Old World
Stories in Irish America, New World Stories in Irish America, and How Being Irish
Became (Mad) Cool. We will examine the breadth of Irish American identity from the
Westies to JFK, and from F.Scott Fitzgerald to the Dropkick Murphys and Black 47.
Course objectives
To establish an understanding of contemporary Irish American culture – specifically in
literature, music and film – through the confluence of history, economics and religion; to
consider the influence of the Irish on American culture; to draw parallels between the
Irish American experience and that of other ethnic groups; and to engage students in a
relatively new field of study in which connections can be made between Woodside and
Hollywood, the Rockaways and Rock ‘n Roll.
Student achievement will be measured by the development of two formal papers (4-5
pages, a research project and oral presentation, and in-class writing and discussions.
[Note: for Study Abroad, given the opportunity for cultural
immersion and participation in various Arts and Film Festivals,
student achievement will be measured by full participation in the
program, journal entries and in-class writing which will be
collected every Thursday, class discussion, one 4-6 page paper
assignment with an oral presentation (presentation may be done
in small groups), and a take home final exam (5-6 pages) you
may email me by August 7.] This class is an intensive reading, writing, and
public speaking experience which calls upon critical thinking and reading skills
Therefore, in addition to its specific focus on the topics associated with its title and
description, it also emphasizes the development of intellectual and academic skills
associated with a general liberal arts education. This course exposes students to the
following student learning goals/objectives:
-- The ability to think critically and creatively
-- The ability to read with comprehension, and critically interpret written work in
discipline-specific contexts](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/b2cd192d-e7cb-454c-b2e5-552f97392d21-150201155625-conversion-gate02/85/IRE-163-syllabus-and-reading-schedule-1-320.jpg)
