ENG31930 Irish Fiction After 2010

Academic Year 2023/2024

This seminar will examine a range of contemporary Irish novels and short stories, published since 2010. We will investigate the thematic preoccupations of contemporary Irish fiction, writers' formal innovations and their ongoing reception by readers in a variety of fora (online media, printed media, etc) The course will include a range of short stories including work by Colin Barrett, Oein DeBhairduin, Melatu Uche Okorie and Danielle McLaughlin, two short novels by Claire Keegan, and recent novels by Mike McCormack, Sally Rooney and Anne Enright (the most recent being Enright's novel The Wren, The Wren, published September 2023).

A key theme of this course is the reception and influence of contemporary Irish fiction: using resources such as https://contemporaryirishwriting.ie/ we will discuss how authors' reputations are shaped by the early critical reception of their works; how literary works are circulated and made known to audiences; the role and significance of readers and audiences; and the growing importance of genre fiction and texts that challenge existing narrative genres.

Reading List:

Colin Barrett, Homesickness (Vintage, 2022)

Oein DeBhairduin, Why The Moon Travels (Skein Press, 2020).

Anne Enright, The Wren, The Wren (Penguin, September 2023)

Claire Keegan, Foster (Faber, 2010); or online at New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/02/15/foster

Claire Keegan, Small Things Like These (Faber, 2020)

Mike McCormack, Solar Bones (Tramp Press, 2016)

Danielle McLaughlin, Dinosaurs on Other Planets (John Murray, 2015)

Sally Rooney, Conversations With Friends (Faber, 2017)

Melatu Uche Okorie, This Hostel Life (Skein Press, 2018)



PLEASE NOTE that the School of English, Drama and Film reserves the right to withdraw modules in the period up to and including the first week of the teaching trimester

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

To introduce students to a range of contemporary Irish writing;
To examine the changing nature and significance of genre in contemporary Irish fiction;
To investigate the importance of critical reception and to analyse the sociological and commercial forces that shape the circulation of contemporary Irish fiction;
To engage with current debates concerning the function of literary representation in the context of contemporary social crisis.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

0
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Specified Learning Activities

76
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is taught through seminar mode. Participation in group discussion is a core component. Students will be asked to choose research tasks which will form the basis of the final assignment. The course essay will have an earlier deadline than other modules to facilitate earlier submission and feedback within the course module, as well as the opportunity to edit the essay based on feedback. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: More details provided in course syllabus Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

25
Essay: More details provided in class syllabus Week 8 n/a Graded No

50
Continuous Assessment: To be provided in class syllabus Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Colin Barrett, Homesickness (Vintage, 2022)
Oein DeBhairduin, Why The Moon Travels (Skein Press, 2020).
Anne Enright, The Wren, The Wren (Penguin, September 2023)
Claire Keegan, Foster (Faber, 2010); or online at New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/02/15/foster
Claire Keegan, Small Things Like These (Faber, 2020)
Mike McCormack, Solar Bones (Tramp Press, 2016)
Danielle McLaughlin, Dinosaurs on Other Planets (John Murray, 2015)
Sally Rooney, Conversations With Friends (Faber, 2017)
Melatu Uche Okorie, This Hostel Life (Skein Press, 2018)
Name Role
Taylor Follett Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Eve Kearney Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 10:00 - 11:50
Autumn
      
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
Spring