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Module Code - Title:

PO4013 - GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN IRELAND

Year Last Offered:

2026/7

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To introduce the principal institutions of Irish government and politics and to examine their relationship to Irish society.

Syllabus:

Historical introduction to the economic, cultural, and social background of Irish politics; economic, social and political change; Irish political culture; constitutional development; development of political parties and evolution of the party system; electoral behaviour; social bases of party support; overview of the principal political institutions, including the presidency, the Oireachtas, the Government, the Taoiseach and the civil service.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Break down relatively complex histories of the state into a series of critical junctures to explain the trajectory of social and economic development Recognise values implicit in alternative political behaviours and approaches Construct arguments to develop a critique of contemporary approaches to economic and social policy Compare and contrast efficacy of alternative policy prescriptionsJudge political outcomes from a variety of perspectives

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Combine variety of insights to analysis of issues Differentiate between alternative perspectives implicit in policy prescriptions Prepare a literature survey.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

Arrange group participation in debates and presentations

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module will be delivered via lectures and seminars, with a greater emphasis on seminar participation and discursive approaches to the study of Irish politics

Prime Texts:

Coakley, J. and Gallagher, M. (eds.) (1996) Politics in the Republic of Ireland, 2nd ed , Limerick: PSAI Press
Dooney, S. and O Toole, J. (1991) Irish Government Today , Dublin: Gill and Macmillan
Chubb, B. (1992) The Government and Politics of Ireland, 3rd ed , London: Longman

Other Relevant Texts:

Sinnott, R. (1995) Irish Voters Decide , Manchester: Manchester University Press

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS (PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS)
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GLOBAL POLITICS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS
BACHELOR OF LAWS (LAW PLUS)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Module Leader:

patrick.doyle@ul.ie