Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Irish Folklore  (IFJ1)

BA/BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2024/2025
School
School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
Award
Bachelor of Arts
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Kelly Fitzgerald
Overall Programme Credits:
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 25
Stage 3: 25
Stage 4: 25

Curricular information is subject to change.

Studying folklore involves the exploration of traditional popular culture, in the past and in the present. It is primarily concerned with the history and culture of ordinary people, and with the evolution and role of tradition at a vernacular level. As an academic discipline, Folklore (or ethnology) involves the exploration of oral literature, social tradition, material culture, popular belief and practice, as well as traditional music and song. It explores the dynamics of communal memory and of culture as a collective phenomenon. It looks at the nature of popular tradition and the way in which such tradition is transmitted, usually outside of official channels and often across vast distances of time and space.

This course investigates Irish Folklore as a local expression of international cultural phenomena, making the subject particularly suitable for international students.

The study of Folklore focuses on traditional popular culture, in the past and in the present. As an academic discipline, it involves the exploration of material culture, social tradition, oral literature and popular belief and practice.



The BA programme is designed to give students in-depth knowledge of the principal forms and genres of Folklore, with reference to their historical background and global context. The programme is aimed at national and international students with an interest in popular tradition, vernacular culture and Irish studies, who wish to develop a career or further studies in these areas.



The programmes’ educational values are centred on the promotion of a spirit of enquiry regarding the nature, persistence and dynamics of tradition in everyday life. They encourage students to develop a reflective approach to their studies, while also emphasising the centrality of fieldwork and archival sources to their research and learning. Teaching is carried out in lectures, in small-group tutorials, and in seminar-style participatory classes. Students are also encouraged to use digital archive resources in their research and learning. Assessments take the form of written examinations, individual research projects, journal-keeping, in-semester essays and oral presentations. They also include assignments which give students the opportunity to formulate their own research questions and to pursue given topics using archival data-sets.


1 - Use research and enquiry skills to identify cultural heritage in the area of popular tradition;
2 - Make a critical evaluation and analysis of relevant archival and fieldwork sources;
3 - Evaluate the significance of phenomena which constitute folklore and which form the basis of folklore’s critical discourse; including the ability to assess assumptions and the ways in which such assumptions have developed within society;
4 - Demonstrate effective communication skills with appropriate use of subject-specific terminology;
5 - Show a capacity for independent decision-making in assessing situations which arise in the course of fieldwork and archival research;
6 - Demonstrate digital expertise through the use of digital resources such as www.duchas.ie;
7 - Indicate an understanding of the ethical responsibilities involved in folkloristic research, and an understanding of the necessity of establishing empathy with informants/co-researchers
8 - Appreciate and articulate the ways in which the present is moulded by the past in the area of popular tradition and folklore

There are opportunities for students to spend a year studying abroad while pursuing a BA Arts in Irish Folklore. Possibilities include Europe, Canada and the United States.

A degree in Irish Folklore is relevant to anyone interested in popular culture, tradition and society, and their interconnections. It provides an excellent basis for careers in: • Heritage Bodies and Institutions • Community Organisations and Local Development Initiatives • Media and Journalism • Teaching • Areas related to Irish Studies, Local Studies and Ethnic Studies • Communications

Graduates are prepared to pursue MA and Diploma courses in Irish Folklore at graduate level, as well as MLitt and PhD studies, specialising in one of the many areas of the subject.

UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore
p. +353 1 716 8385
e. bairbre.nichonchuir@ucd.ie


Stage 2

Students must take ALL Core Modules. The remaining modules should be chosen from the option lists.

Stage 3

Students must register to five Level 3 option modules.

Stage 4

Students must register to five Level 3 option modules.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
 IRFL20010 The Study of Folklore: Origins and Development Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 IRFL20090 Folklife & Ethnology Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select minimum three modules
 IRFL20030 The Narrative Art Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select minimum three modules
 CCIV20070 Poets, Power and Performance Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select minimum three modules
 IRFL20050 Healers and Healing Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 3 of:
Select minimum three modules
 IRFL20100 Oral history and tradition Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
This is a College of Arts and Humanities module. It is the equivalent of an elective. You can take it instead of taking one of your Stage 2 electives. This is not one of your required options. Please make sure that you have selected the correct number of programme options from the list above.
 HUM20010 Career Readiness for Arts Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 CCIV30110 Early Irish Myths & Sagas Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 GRC30080 The Oedipus Myth Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 GRC30330 Death and the Afterlife in the Ancient World Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 IRFL30030 The Life Cycle Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 IRFL30090 Collectors of Song and Music Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 GRC30290 Magic in the Ancient World Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 IRFL30020 Calendar Custom Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 IRFL30100 Popular religion and belief Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 CCIV30110 Early Irish Myths & Sagas Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 GRC30080 The Oedipus Myth Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 GRC30330 Death and the Afterlife in the Ancient World Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 IRFL30030 The Life Cycle Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 IRFL30090 Collectors of Song and Music Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 GRC30290 Magic in the Ancient World Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 IRFL30020 Calendar Custom Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select all 5 modules
 IRFL30100 Popular religion and belief Spring  5

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHACS014 Stage 3 - 50.00%
Stage 2 - 50.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHACS001 Stage 3 - 50.00%
Stage 2 - 50.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHACS023 Stage 3 - 70.00%
Stage 2 - 30.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHACS027 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
Stage 2 - 20.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHACS031 Stage 3 - 70.00%
Stage 2 - 30.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.