Beyond the Brogue: Exploring Irish America through Text and Culture

CELTIC 156 Subject & Catalog Number

In this history and culture course of Irish America, students will explore the cultural landscape of 18th–20th century North America as told in the voices of Irish immigrants themselves. Drawing on a wide variety of original writings, we will accompany Irish immigrants on their journey across the continent - from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia down to Massachusetts and New York, across to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, before heading west to Montana and California. 

Along the way, you’ll work with a range of archival materials to uncover how the Irish expressed their identities, preserved, or in some cases adapted, their culture, and endeavored to make sense of the new world. Expect to engage with everything from personal correspondence to traditional songs and poetry—materials that bring the everyday immigrant experience vividly to life. This analysis will be contextualized by readings from an extensive research bibliography and contemporary newspapers. Together we will develop our critical understanding of language and culture as well as power, or lack thereof, and consider how this landmark era of Irish immigration has been represented and remembered. No prior knowledge of Irish language is required: all texts are available in translation.