Fall 2004

E 314V • Irish American Literature and Culture

Course Description

Computer-assisted course This course will introduce students to Irish-American literature, history, and culture. Although we will focus primarily on twentieth century Irish-American literature, we will begin our study with 19th century depictions and accounts of immigrant Irish and Irish-American life. We will examine a variety of texts, including short stories, novels, plays, poetry, film and performance. As we read, we will attempt to get a fuller sense of the different identities within Irish America and the relationships and tensions between generations of immigrants, American-born Irish and those who stayed behind. We will also consider ways in which these works reflect and respond to issues of ethnicity, gender, and class. We will augment our literary readings and analysis with secondary readings that explore Irish-American history, culture, and literary theory.

Grading Policy

In-class assignments and class participation 10% Reading quizzes and forum posts 10%
Oral presentation and handout 15%
Four response papers (2-3 pages each) 15%
Midterm paper (4-5 pages) 20%
Final paper (6-7 pages) 30%

Texts

Alice McDermott, Charming Billy
Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes
Eugene O’Neill, Long Day’s Journey Into Night
John Murphy, The Country Boy
Course packet including excerpts from:
Cabbages and Bone: An Anthology of Irish-American Women’s Fiction, Caledonia Kearns, ed.
Exile of Erin: Nineteenth Century Irish-American Fiction, Charles Fanning, ed.
Wee Girls: Women Writing from an Irish Perspective, Lizz Murphy, ed.
Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
Apes and Angels, L.P. Curtis
The Irish in America, Michael Coffey
The Kennedy’s: America’s Emerald Kings, Thomas Maier
The Devil’s Own
The Quiet Man
The Matchmaker
Riverdance
Monument Avenue

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