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POL20250

Academic Year 2026/2027

Irish Politics (POL20250)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor David Farrell
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the workings of the Irish political system. We start by locating Irish politics in comparative terms, showing how unusual a political system it is in comparison to other European states. The course then examines the historical, constitutional, social and political context of Irish politics. It deals with the ground rules within which Irish elections take place, the evolution of the Irish party system, and voting behaviour in elections and referendums. The course exmaines the operation of the main political institutions: the Dail, the Seanad, the government, the judiciary and major offices such as those of President and Taoiseach. Other important forums for political activity are also considered. This course will be taught entirely by lectures; there will be no tutorials.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able: to explain the origins and historical development of the Irish political system and how it 'fits' in comparison to other European nation states; to describe the working and significance of the electoral system; to assess evidence relating to Irish political behaviour; and to have a firm grasp of the nature and functions of Irish political institutions and political processes.

Indicative Module Content:

Content will include: the origins of the Irish political system; the constitutional framework; parties, elections, referendums and electoral behaviour; the key political institutions (e.g. parliament, executive, electoral system); political reform; key issues in Irish politics today.

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
Autonomous Student Learning

78
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; group and class discussions; debates; independent research

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Irish Politics (POL10010)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Mid-term essay Week 7 Graded No
50
 No
Exam (In-person): Final exam End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 1 Hour
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 will be provided to students within 20 working days of the deadline for the assignment in according with university policy.

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, 31, 32, 33 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
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