Irish Studies (Minor)

​The Irish Studies minor is an interdisciplinary academic program focused on Ireland and its place in the world. Our courses offer students the opportunity to study the unique experience of Ireland and the Irish to enhance their understanding of the role of culture in human society.

The study of Ireland is compelling for many reasons, including its rich history, culture, music and literature. In addition, the Irish experience illustrates processes it shares with other cultures that can shed light on many global issues today. These include:

1. colonialism and post colonialism
2. the search for national identity
3. emigration and diaspora
4. integration into the European Union and an increasingly globalized world
5. the impact of intercommunal political conflict and violence
6. the evolution of women's roles in society
7. the changing place of Catholicism in Ireland

Ireland has long had a close relationship with the United States, and it is impossible to study modern Ireland without discussing American influences.  At the same time, Irish immigration into the United States has influenced the development of American society. The study of Ireland, a small, now modern country at the western edge of Europe, leads to a wide exploration of international issues and historical developments.  

Course Requirements

​Students can complete the 6 course Irish Studies Minor by completing one of the following two tracks:

1. For students who complete courses at DePaul University Chicago campus (i.e. do not participate in the Dublin Internship):
   • IRE 100 
   • 5 additional approved elective courses in Irish Studies. Courses must be taken from at least three separate departments/programs and should represent a range of topics/issues.
2. For students who participate in DePaul’s Parliamentary Internship in Dublin:
   
   The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers a study abroad program in Dublin, Ireland, twice each year. It provides an excellent opportunity for students to get to know Ireland at first hand. It is not a required part of the minor in Irish Studies. Students taking part in the Study Abroad Program in Dublin may, however, gain credit for four courses that count towards completion of the minor. Thus, for students who successfully complete the Dublin Internship, the requirements for the IRE minor are as follows:
    
   • IRE 100
   • 1 additional approved elective courses in Irish Studies

For further information on the Dublin Parliamentary Internship courses please contact the Director of the Irish Studies Program.

Irish Studies Courses

General Irish Studies

History

Literature

¹

Courses only count for the Irish Studies minor when focused on a pertinent topic (as in the examples in parentheses in the list of courses above). When a student registers for such a course it will not automatically place as an Irish Studies course in the Degree Progress Report (DPR). The student needs to email the Director of Irish Studies with their name, ID number, and the course(s) at issue to ask for a DPR update.

Nature and Culture

¹

Courses marked¹ only count for the Irish Studies minor when focused on a pertinent topic (as in the examples in parentheses in the list of courses above). When a student registers for such a course it will not automatically place as an Irish Studies course in the Degree Progress Report (DPR). The student needs to email the Director of Irish Studies with their name, ID number, and the course(s) at issue to ask for a DPR update.

Study Abroad

¹

Courses marked¹ only count for the Irish Studies minor when focused on a pertinent topic (as in the examples in parentheses in the list of courses above). When a student registers for such a course it will not automatically place as an Irish Studies course in the Degree Progress Report (DPR). The student needs to email the Director of Irish Studies with their name, ID number, and the course(s) at issue to ask for a DPR update.

Independent Study

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