Irish Category

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course students will have added to their repertoire from IRSH 2173 and will be able to describe in Irish (in simple terms) their background, their work, their daily activities, their likes and dislikes (see the course content). They will use simple phrases and sentences. They will be able to participate in simple conversations on ordinary matters. They will understand simple sentences and common phrases, pertaining to ordinary life, (provided that the language is clear, that the speech isn’t overly dialectal and that it is delivered at a reasonable pace). That being said, they will continue to rely greatly on others to help them in their efforts to communicate.

Students will be able to understand the gist of a written account (e-mail or letter, for example) as long as it is in simple language and the subject matter pertains to an area in which the student has some knowledge or interest.

The student will be able to write simple sentences, in an e-mail message for example, on subjects directly relating to his/her own life. Students will be able to write the following: simple sentences and phrases constructed with simple conjunctions such as ‘and’, ‘but’ and ‘because’.

Class Structure: Vocabulary and grammar will be introduced both in applied situations and systematically. Classes will be conducted remotely and in a variety of formats requiring students to read, speak and listen to the language, in different contexts.

Course Content: A list of themes that will be studied over the course of the semester can be found below. Learning a language is an accumulative process and covering certain themes may take longer than others. This means that dates for covering certain topics and for assessment is flexible and based on the progress of the group. Focus will be on promoting language use.


In the nature of a survey, this course will examine “the arts” with reference to the concept of Irish Identity. These classes will introduce you into the concept of Irish culture, establish culture import through images, teach you to evaluate the idea of Irish culture, delve into finding it through Ireland’s relationship with paintings, architecture, folklore arts (such as lace making, knitting, pottery, crochet, etc ), music, dance, food, drink and film. By looking at Irish poetry, paintings, music, religion, architecture, film, food and tourist arts, this course will highlight specific and emblematic examples of the interdependence and cross fertilization of perception and culture. Best of all, we will deconstruct your views of Ireland and look at things from a different perspective, always trying to find that third side of the coin.