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HIS33220

Academic Year 2025/2026

The Penal Laws (HIS33220)

Subject:
History
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Ivar McGrath
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module examines the history of the penal laws in Ireland. Commencing with the post-Reformation understanding of the inextricable link between Church and State and the ensuing impetus for religious uniformity in both Protestant and Catholic countries, the module will assess the implementation of anti-Catholic legislation within the British Isles in general in the later sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Thereafter it will examine why such legislation arrived so late in Ireland in comparison to England, Scotland and Wales and how the existing penal laws in those latter countries influenced the legislation enacted in Ireland from 1695 through to 1750. Individual penal laws will be studied in detail in both lectures and seminars, with consideration of both their intended purpose and the reality of their enforcement and / or non-compliance. The module will also focus upon the impact of the penal laws upon both Catholics and Protestant Dissenters as well as the evidence for the avoidance and circumvention of those laws. It will also discuss the arguments for, and the motivations behind, the ensuing repeal of the laws from the late 1770s onward. Throughout the module due consideration will be given to the historiography of the penal laws as well as the continuing disinformation about them within wider public discourse in Ireland and abroad.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the history of the penal laws in Ireland and the British Isles more generally
• Assess the historiography of Ireland during the period of the penal laws
• Appreciate, analyse and critique the primary sources relevant to the module
• Prepare and deliver an oral presentation and present their conclusions in written form
• Engage in informed discussion and debate on the subject of the penal laws in Ireland
• Organise, report upon, discuss and complete a substantial research project on an aspect of the penal laws in Ireland

Indicative Module Content:

1: The Reformations and the nature of Church and State in the early modern period
2: The enactment of Penal Laws in Scotland, England and Wales in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
3: The continuing absence of penal laws in Ireland in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
4: The Origins and purpose of the first penal laws of 1695
5: Building a penal code, 1697-99
6: Consolidating the code, 1703-5
7: Completing the code, 1707 onward
8: Enforcement
9: Impact
10: Changing attitudes and the commencement of repeal, 1740s-70s

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

180
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Total

213

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a small-group, seminar-based module. It is taught through a one-hour weekly lecture and a two-hour seminar. The weekly lecture provides an overview of the week’s topic, focusing upon key historical trends, debates and events. The weekly seminar is focused upon individual active / task-based learning by means of class debates, discussion and student presentations. Advanced research, writing and citation skills are developed through a combined individual student presentation on primary sources and written essay, and a semester-long 3,000-4,000-word research project. Autonomous learning is advanced through student-led debate and discussion of set primary sources and / or student presentations each week.

The use of AI tools (e.g. Gemini, Chat GPT, Copilot) is not permitted in this module. Students are expected to engage directly with module materials and activities without the use of AI tools.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Students are graded on their contribution to seminars throughout the semester Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): A combined presentation / written assignment which takes the form of a seminar presentation and paper Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Semester-long research project: this is a paper of 3,000-4,000 words, based on work undertaken over the 12 weeks of the semester Week 14 Graded No
40
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Both written and oral feedback will be provided on an ongoing basis over the semester. Feedback on the combined presentation/written assignment will be given in person and through written comments on the submitted document. Feedback on the end of semester essay will be given through written comments and by appointment in one-to-one meetings.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
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