IRFL30080 Textual Analysis of the Irish Oral Tradition

Academic Year 2022/2023

Students will need a computer and internet connection to participate in this module as the module will be delivered online. The National Folklore Collection preserves examples of oral tradition and cultural history in handwritten, aural and visual formats. At the heart of tradition is the spoken word, the mode of expression through which that tradition is transmitted. Selected texts from around Ireland will be examined, analysed and interpreted. These will include English- and Irish-language examples. Context and folkloristic analysis of each piece will be addressed. The chosen texts will vary from the point of view of region, dialect and folklore content. Students will be introduced to the different methods of fieldwork and transcription practised by past and present collectors of folklore. Collectors' approaches to fieldwork and to the accompanying challenges will be addressed and transcription conventions will be examined. Students will gradually acquire an understanding of some of the rich linguistic variations in Ireland and an appreciation of their central role in textual analysis.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Illustrate a familiarity with the principal manuscript, audio and other archival material in the National Folklore Collection.
Demonstrate an ability to interpret and contextualize selected folklore texts.
Demonstrate an understanding of fieldwork methods employed by the National Folklore Collection and its predecessors.
Assess the role of fieldwork in folklore collecting.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22

Specified Learning Activities

38

Autonomous Student Learning

40

Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students should note that in the academic year 2020-2021 that teaching and assessment will be carried out primarily online. Teaching is carried out in small-group classes and in seminars followed by group discussion. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: 1500 word assignment Week 6 n/a Graded No

30

Essay: 2500 words Week 12 n/a Graded No

70


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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on their research dissertation is provided to students throughout the semester through regular consultation with teaching staff members.