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| Unit name |
The Political Culture of Violence: Paramilitaries In Modern Ireland. (Level C Special Topic)
|
| Unit code |
HIST14026 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
C/4
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Emeritus Professor. Pemberton |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department |
Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
The student chooses from a range of Special Topic options, of which this unit is one, which are closely attached to the current research interests of academic tutors. They enable students to focus on a narrow topic and follow it through in detail normally with reference to primary sources. The Project written in conjunction with the Special Topic will enable students to develop a particular issue within the topic of the political culture of violence in Northern Ireland at greater depth.
This course explores the history of, and systems of cultural representation developed by and about, the rival paramilitary groups which operated in Ireland between 1969 and the late 2000s: both Republican and the far less often studied Loyalist ones. As well as academic analyses of such groups, it uses a wide range of primary sources including political writings, memoirs, visual display, and public and musical performance generated by members and former members of these organisations.
Aims:
- To place students in direct contact with the current research interests of academic tutors and to enable them to explore the issues surrounding the state of research in the field.
- To introduce students to working with primary sources
- To introduce students to issues relating to setting primary sources in their wider context
- To introduce students to the practice of learning independently within a small-group context.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the unit students should have:
- deepened their understanding of a particular aspect of current historical research
- learned how to work with primary sources
- developed their skills in contributing to and learning from a small-group environment
- developed an understanding of how people involved in illegal, violent political action in a modern society understand and present themselves, as well as how outside analysts interpret them
- explored the conceptual, methodological and indeed emotional problems researchers encounter in studying a clandestine, often frightening and much mythologised political underworld.
Teaching Information
- Tutorial feedback on essay
- Access to tutorial consultation with unit tutor in office hours
Assessment Information
1 x 2 hour exam
Reading and References
- Richard English, Armed Struggle. The History of the IRA (2003).
- Thomas Hennessey, Northern Ireland: The Origins of the Troubles (2005).
- Henry McDonald UVF: The Endgame (2008)
- Marc Mulholland, The Longest War: Northern Irelands Troubled History (2002).
- Ian S. Wood Crimes of Loyalty: A History of the UDA (2006)
