Irish Studies (Minor)

Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Tara MacLeod

Undergraduates from every college and program are drawn to the Irish Studies minor. Some choose the minor because they are fascinated by Irish literature and its themes; others because they want to explore the history, language, politics, and culture of a country that has long been influential on the world stage. Some students choose the minor because it gives focus to their major; others because it complements their major.

With classes, seminars, and a weekly Speakers and Public Talks Series, all find a close, thriving community and enthusiastic faculty mentors—along with generous funding for opportunities beyond the classroom.

The requirements are straightforward and conducive to opportunities at the University for study in Ireland:

  • Take five full-credit (3-credit or 4-credit) classes cross-listed with Irish Studies. The five classes can be in such departments as Anthropology; English; History; Irish Language and Literature; Political Science; Global Affairs; and Film, Television, and Theater.
  • Examples of undergraduate courses include:
    • Beginning Irish (Gaelic) I (IRST 10101)
    • Introduction to Irish Studies (IRST 20111)
    • Viking History (IRST 30109)
    • Gender and Irish Drama (IRST 40529)
    • The Black and Green Atlantic (IRST 40180)
    • Humor in Irish Literature (IRST 30225)
    • Sláinte?: Alcohol(ism) & the Irish (IRST 30315)
    • The History of the Irish Constitutions (IRST 30135)
    • The Making of Modern Ireland (IRST 30351)
    • Great Irish Writers I (IRST 20116)
    • Queer Plots: Narrative and Sexuality in 20th and 21st Century Fiction (IRST 40143)
    • Archaeology of Ireland (IRST 30111)
    • The Northern Ireland Troubles, 1920-present (IRST 30440)
    • Gender and Sexuality in Irish Fiction after Joyce (IRST 40525)
    • Sex and Power in Irish Literature: From Warrior Queens to Punk Poet (IRST 30104)
    • British and Irish Ballads: Poetry and Popular Song in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries (IRST 40344)
    • Storied Landscapes: From Ireland to Chicago
    • When Irish Eyes Are Smiling: The Irish Comic Tradition (IRST 30310)
    • Irish Culture and Anglicization
  • In lieu of one of the five courses, students may take a 3-credit independent study or undertake a Capstone essay with a Keough Naughton Institute faculty fellow.
  • The five classes can be taken on the Notre Dame home campus, the Dublin Global Gateway (O’Connell House), Trinity College (Dublin), University College Dublin, Dublin City University or the University of Galway. Study abroad courses not taught by Notre Dame faculty must receive approval to count towards the minor(s).

Note: By taking classes in the Irish (Gaelic) language, you are eligible to apply for summer language grants, dedicated internships and research projects, as well as becoming uniquely prepared for study abroad in Ireland. Most Irish Studies minors take Irish (Gaelic). Irish language classes are therefore strongly encouraged buy are not required for Irish Studies minors.