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IRFL40160

Academic Year 2024/2025

The Life Cycle (IRFL40160)

Subject:
Irish Folklore
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Irish, Celtic Stud & Folklore
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Tiber Falzett
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Beliefs and practices concerning the life of the individual, termed `les rites de passage', consist of those rites which mark the individual's passage from one stage of life to the next; foremost among these are birth, marriage and death. These 'rites de passage' have been approached through a variety of theoretical frameworks, and are attested in folk traditions and ritual worldwide. Irish folk tradition includes a large body of material concerning these milestones in human life, richly documented in the archives of the National Folklore Collection at UCD. The module examines beliefs and customs associated with birth, marriage-related rites and rituals, and practices surrounding death, including the traditional wake and lament for the dead. The module situates these life-cycle traditions within an Irish and international context, and explores the relationship between the official life-cycle rituals of official religion and the vernacular rituals observed in popular tradition. The module stresses the evolving nature of vernacular ritual and acknowledges the emergence of new life-cycle ritual in contemporary culture.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, the student will be able to: 1. Define what is meant by 'Les rites de passage' and discuss associated rites and ceremonials. 2. Demonstrate familiarity with some of the most important theoretical approaches to the study of the life cycle. 3. Give an overview of the primary archival sources for the study of life-cycle ritual in Ireland and make use of archival material to analyse the form and function of Irish life-cycle traditions. 4. Evaluate the role of particular verbal and dramatic performances on major life-cycle occasions. 5. Locate Irish life-cycle traditions in a global context and assess them accordingly, drawing on key ethnological and anthropological frameworks. 6. Evaluate the relationship between the life-cycle rites observed by official religion and the customs and rites practiced in folk tradition. 7. Acknowledge the changing nature of life-cycle tradition and recognise new and emergent ritual in contemporary culture.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Specified Learning Activities

60
Autonomous Student Learning

120
Total

202

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 classroom-based lectures. Assessment takes the form of in-semester assignments and an end-of-term written examination.

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
Assignment(Including Essay): 1400-word research abstract Week 5 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 2800-word research paper Week 12 Graded No
40
 No
Exam (Take-Home): 1500-word final guided-writing assessment Week 14 Graded No
40
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer 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 components, enabling students to draw on feedback provided for the earlier in-semester component to improve their performance in the later component.

Name Role
Dr Tiber Falzett 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 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 10:00 - 10:50
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