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IRFL20010

Academic Year 2026/2027

The Study of Folklore: Origins and Development (IRFL20010)

Subject:
Irish Folklore
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Irish, Celtic Stud & Folklore
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
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 course examines the history of folklore studies (folkloristics) in Ireland and abroad, a discipline famously dubbed "the science of tradition" by Edwin Sidney Hartland. Tracing key movements, paradigms, and figures from the late 18th century to the present, it introduces students to the major intellectual developments that have shaped the field. Foundational texts and theories are considered within their historical contexts, and their enduring relevance is assessed. The course also refers to the creation of the National Folklore Collection's unique archival holdings and draws directly on its specialist library at UCD.


About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

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

1. Describe how folklore studies (folkloristics) evolved from the late 18th century to the present, including its foundational movements and paradigms in Ireland and abroad.
2. Analyse foundational texts, identifying theoretical strengths and weaknesses.
3. Evaluate the contributions of key players in the development of the discipline.
4. Engage critically with primary source materials, such as those of the National Folklore Collection UCD.

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
Specified Learning Activities

32
Autonomous Student Learning

46
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 the academic year 2021/22, it is expected that classes will be delivered in person rather than online. Assessment will take the form of an in-semester essay and an end-of-term essay OR an end-of-term 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): 1,500 word essay Week 6 Graded No
50
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 1,500 word essay Week 12 Graded No
50
 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 the in-semester continuous assessment component, enabling students to draw on feedback provided for the earlier in-semester component to improve their performance in the later component.

Name Role
Dr Kelly Fitzgerald Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Deirdre Nuttall Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

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 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 13:00 - 13:50
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