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IRFL10010

Academic Year 2026/2027

Introduction to Folklore (IRFL10010)

Subject:
Irish Folklore
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Irish, Celtic Stud & Folklore
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Fionnan Mac Gabhann
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module examines what is meant by the term 'folklore' and introduces students to the academic study of the subject, discussing various historical approaches to and definitions of folklore. The course surveys Irish vernacular customs, material culture, oral traditions, and beliefs. It covers the history of folklore documentation in Ireland, with special emphasis on the work of the Irish Folklore Commission, whose collections are housed at the National Folklore Collection at UCD. Students are also introduced to key methods in folklore studies and explore what is to be gained from studying Irish folklore.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should be able to:

1. Identify the principal forms and genres of folklore.
2. Demonstrate a familiarity with the basic tools of folklore research.
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of some of the more important approaches to the study of folklore.
4. Formulate their own informed definition of ‘Irish folklore’.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Tutorial

12
Specified Learning Activities

32
Autonomous Student Learning

34
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Teaching in the module is geared towards the promotion of a spirit of enquiry among students and towards encouraging them to develop a reflective approach to their studies. Teaching is carried out in lectures and in small-group tutorials. Assessment takes the form of two in-semester essays and an end-of-term assignment or in-person exam.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
IRFL20080 - Myth and Legend


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): 1200 word essay Week 6 Graded No
25
 No
Exam (In-person): Exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
50
 No
Individual Project: To be decided during the trimester Week 12 Graded No
25
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback in this module is centred around in-semester continuous assessment components, enabling students to draw on feedback provided for the earlier in-semester component to improve their performance in the later in-semester component.

Name Role
Dr Kelly Fitzgerald Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Linda Badgley Tutor
Siún Ní Eartáin Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 6 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 15:00 - 15:50
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