That Vast Catastrophe: The Great Irish Famine

Overview

To understand the most terrible historical moment in modern Irish history. This single-semester module is concerned with one of the great climacteric episodes in Irish history. The demographic, economic, social and political events of the period 1845-49 will be studied in detail. Considerable attention will also be paid to the decades preceding the Great Famine, in an attempt to answer the question: "was the Great Famine inevitable?" Similarly, consideration will be given to the longer-term economic, social and political consequences of the Great Famine. This is a tutorial-led module and will employ a purpose-designed tutorial handbook.

Learning Objectives

To understand the most terrible historical moment in modern Irish history.

Skills

The analysis of historical problems; critical evaluation of facts and arguments; the interpretation of primary historical evidence; practice in constructing and writing informed and literate essays; verbal presentation and group work.

Assessment