Ireland in Europe - Level 2 modules

In Year 2, the contents of 'Ireland in Europe' are divided between two modules for administrative and assessment purposes. Both modules are taught throughout the academic year.

Ireland in Europe: Culture

This module focuses on cultural inter-relationships between Ireland and other parts of Europe. Varieties of cultural expression are explored. Both commonalities and differences in art, music, literature and film are considered as cultural manifestations of regionalism and nationalism, and both their intellectual and political significances are examined and assessed.

The course seeks:

• to recognise and understand the varieties of cultural expression in Europe;
• to identify and appreciate the cultural and historical inter-connections between Ireland and other parts of Europe;
• to appreciate and evaluate aspects of Europe's artistic heritage;
• to develop awareness of the relationship between culture and society.

The module is delivered in three consecutive units:

• Varieties of Cultural Expression in Europe
• Aspects of modern European Creative Expression
• Culture, Place and Society

Ireland in Europe: Economy

This module examines the development of an increasingly integrated European financial and economic space, creating a single market and working towards monetary union. Consideration is given to the rationale for such integration and an evaluation is made of the likely impact on European business. Political responses and the nature of cross-border institutions are examined. In particular, Ireland's east-west and north-south economic and political relationships within the EU are explored and comparisons are made with European contexts elsewhere. Measures to implement policy and comparisons are outlined and the background to EU regional development policy is addressed. Its impact for Ireland is reviewed and implications are discussed.

The module is designed to enable students to:

• recognise and describe salient aspects of current financial, political and economic arrangements within Europe;
• understand the policy implications of these arrangements;
• investigate, understand and address associated issues in the context of case studies;
• understand the implications of European integration for Ireland, north and south.

ERASMUS MOBILITY

Students may choose to participate in the ERASMUS programme in Year 2 of the Liberal Arts degree. Students will be registered for a separate module of 'Ireland in Europe' in semester 1. This module will contain a menu of the units taken by other LA2 students in semester 1. In semester 2, students follow the Learning Programme in the host institution. The learning programme is equivalent to three modules and results will be transferred into the student's academic record on return to St Mary’s.