Allen, Nicholas
TR 9:35 AM
MLC 0367
ENGL4680
Modern Irish Literature
Professor Allen
9.30am
MLC 367
TR
Syllabus
Contemporary Irish Literature is a thriving, experimental field. A century after Yeats and Joyce the range of writing has diversified and expanded, in particular in poetry, fiction and the short-story. This course explores a range of recent authors and books with a view to understanding their formal innovations, their social settings and their sense of planetary questions like climate change and migration, all in context of the island of Ireland's own changing cultural history. As well as reading contemporary work we will watch some television and film. The list of authors we will read includes Sally Rooney, Donal Ryan, Anna Burns, Seamus Heaney, Ronan Hession, Louise Kennedy, Sinead Morrissey, Paul Muldoon, and Nidhi Zak. There will be the option to write a creative or a critical work in response to the class, and there will be plenty of opportunity for conversation.
Please be aware that this class will engage with the complexities of Irish culture and history, in particular of that late twentieth century period called the Troubles
Course Objectives and Expectations
During this course each students is expected to
Texts:
Poetry and film will be supplied for class. We will read a good range of contemporary poetry. Prose texts are:
Anna Burns, Milkman
Sue Divin, Guard Your Heart
Ronan Hession, Leonard and Hungry Paul
Louise Kennedy, Trespasses
Sally Rooney, Normal People
Donal Ryan, From a Low and Quiet Sea
Assignments
End of semester assignment based on reading and research during class. There will be a range of projects and essays to undertake, which we will discuss when we meet.
Grading
Final grade given on end of term assignment based on class reading and research. Creative projects also encouraged and considered according to your interest.
You are reminded to follow all appropriate UGA policies regarding plagiarism and any other relevant issues.
If you would like to talk to me outside class please email Calli Mccormack for an appointment. Calli’s email is callimmcormack@uga.edu
I am available by email na@uga.edu
Class schedule
Tuesday Jan 9
Introduction
Thursday Jan 11
Introduction
Tuesday Jan 16
Belfast
Thursday Jan 18
Belfast
Tuesday Jan 23
Sue Divin, Guard Your Heart
Thursday Jan 25
Sue Divin, Guard Your Heart
Tuesday Jan 30
Northern Poetry
Thursday Feb 1
Northern Poetry
Tuesday Feb 6
Louise Kennedy, Trespasses
Thursday Feb 8
Louise Kennedy, Trespasses
Tuesday Feb 13
Good Vibrations
Thursday Feb 15
Good Vibrations
Tuesday Feb 20
Anna Burns, Milkman
Thursday Feb 22
Anna Burns Milkman
Tuesday Feb 27
Derry Girls
Thursday Feb 29
Reading day
Tuesday Mar 5
Spring Break - NO CLASS
Thursday Mar 7
Spring Break - NO CLASS
Tuesday Mar 12
Tim Robinson – Connemara
Thursday Mar 14
St Patrick’s Day Quiz and Festivities
Tuesday Mar 19
Sally Rooney, Normal People
Thursday Mar 21
Sally Rooney, Normal People
Tuesday Mar 26
Ronan Hession, Leonard and Hungry Paul
Thursday Mar 28
Ronan Hession, Leonard and Hungry Paul
Tuesday April 2
Discussion, reflection, ideas for projects and essays
Thursday April 4
Discussion, reflection, ideas for projects and essays
Tuesday Apr 9
Contemporary Poets
Thursday Apr 11
Contemporary Poets
Tuesday Apr 16
Donal Ryan, From a Low and Quiet Sea
Thursday Apr 18
Donal Ryan, From a Low and Quiet Sea
Tuesday Apr 23
Closing discussions and review
Thursday Apr 25
Closing discussions and review
Last class
Monday 6 May
Final essays due