Course Description:

Irish America will examine the impact of Irish immigration to the United States. Approximately 9 million Irish men and women entered this country from 1700 until the present. We will study the social, cultural, political and economic interplay between these immigrants and the United States. To understand the Irish America it will also be necessary to look at events happening in modern Ireland. The course will be primarily a lecture course, but readings and videos will be assigned for discussion on specific days.

Topics Covered:

18th Century Ireland and Irish America

Reading Assignments:

Irish Famine, Abrams
Fire and Roses, Schultz
Plunkitt of Tammany Hall, Riordan
All Souls: Family Story from Southie, MacDonald
Various articles assigned in the syllabus for discussion classes.

Other Information:

• Several videos will be required viewing for the course as a basis for discussions and class participation.
• A written assignment will also be required. It will be based either on the novel, The Last Hurrah, or on another novel dealing with Irish politics in America.