The history and culture of Ireland have been shaped by its status as an English colony until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, by ferocious religious wars that only subsided at the dawn of the 21st century, and by waves of mass emigration ever since the Great Famine of the mid-19th century. 

On the other hand, Ireland is known for the - often romanticized - rough beauty of its landscape and the artistic diversity created by its people, not least its musicians and poets. 

This course provides an introduction to Ireland by taking a close look at a number of literary texts which explicitly deal with the country's volatile history and politics and its rich, often complicated cultural and social life. 

Students willing to attend need to have read O’Connor’s Star of the Sea for the first session and be able to pass a short quiz on the text.

Please note that this seminar can be used for modules in literary studies and in cultural studies.