Indigenous Arts Exploration

This module offers participants the opportunity to explore the evolution of the indigenous art forms of Ireland, through the media of film, drama, music, song, oral presentations and performances. Students will gain an alternative perspective on Ireland?s literary, cultural and performative heritage through reading and viewing a selection of iconic texts, film and performances which represent the traditional art forms of Ireland in their broadest sense. A key element of the module is the emphasis on the Irish language, surely the most salient emblem of Ireland?s indigenous culture. Classes will consist of lectures, workshops, audio-visual presentations, and discussion of reading and viewing materials. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with the practices of traditional song and dance. Where appropriate, archive and contemporary film in both documentary and fictional genres, may be used to present the background of a particular art form, and this presentation will provide a context for active discussion at the end of each session.