Mandatory first meeting: Thursday, 16 April, 4-6 pm.
In this preliminary meeting, we will discuss the historical framework and the assignments. The reading assignments will need to be completed before the main course days in May: 27-29 May, 9 am-4.30 pm. The willingness to read about and remember the evolution of the 1916 revolution is crucial to any sort of productive discussion in the time we have together in class. Therefore, you should be willing to engage with the texts between the April and May course dates.
The 1916 Easter Rising is regarded as a pivotal moment in the pursuit of Irish independence, but it was far from the first attempt at rebellion against British rule. At that point, several uprisings had already been swiftly and brutally repressed. After the capture and execution of the rebel leaders (a seemingly ragtag group of actors, soldiers and teachers), the 1916 Rising appeared destined to end in another failure with nothing to show for it but a few names added to the canon of Irish martyrs. However, surprisingly, this uprising eventually led to (partial) success and, finally, to (partial) Irish independence. Arguably in no small part due to the instant instrumentalisation of the leaders’ memory after their execution.
In this class, we will explore the ways in which narratives surrounding martyrdom and sacrifice for the greater good contributed to rallying support behind a seemingly doomed cause. We will take a closer look at the key figures of the insurrection and how the mantra "They died for us" was skillfully used during and after the Rising – to some extent shaping national memory narratives up to this day. Aside from the canonical key figures, we will also investigate the critical role women and children played in the Rising and its aftermath – as messengers, spies and soldiers – as well as the ways they have been remembered – or forgotten.
Assessment/requirements: Übung: active participation, reading assignments, case study: presentation and short essay; Seminar: all of the above and one of the following: term paper OR oral exam (30 min).
- Kursleiter/in: Teresa Unterberg