Study Abroad | Maynooth
Summer 2025: Academics

Course Code: AN303/Anthropology

Instruction Language: English

What is Ireland? What is Irishness? This seminar series will consider multiple dimensions of Ireland and Irishness. In the popular imaginary, Ireland continues to conjure up images of a timeless, mystical landscape, rural animal husbandry and simple, chronically alcoholic folk. Ireland has had to contend with this image for centuries, yet its culture and people have been constantly shaped and defined by global forces, from initial contacts with continental invaders, to English colonization, and contemporary stereotypes. What is Ireland and Irishness today?

Course Code: HY201/History

Instruction Language: English

In the period 1600-1900 Irish artists, architects, designers and craftsmen responded to prevailing European stylistic movements. Over the course of this module, students will be introduced to these numerous styles which include Baroque, Rococo, Neo- Classicism, Romanticism, Historicism, Naturalism, Arts & Crafts and Neo-Celticism. Each lecture will identify the interpretation by Irish artists and designers of these important stylistic movements. These thematic and visual surveys will illustrate the development of an Irish aesthetic within these distinct periods. Each of these presentations will be situated within the social contexts of the period so that the conditions informing the design, creation, construction, production and consumption of Irish art and design in this period are fully realized.

Course Code: MN 215SS/Business

Instruction Language: English

This class focuses on international aspects in management theory and literature. Students will discuss approaches to ethics, negotiation, motivation, and management and leadership across countries, considering the importance of understanding and embracing difference across countries.

Course Code: MN313SS/Business

Instruction Language: English

This class focuses on marketing management in global organisations and introduces students to the nature and complexity of international marketing strategy. Students will identify opportunities and challenges associated with expansion into new geographical markets and formulate strategies for product development and promotion.

Course Code: MN329/Management

Instruction Language: English

This class addresses the many issues surrounding the use of social media in business and marketing channels, exploring how individuals and firms navigate social media to gain a competitive edge. It undertakes a practical examination of how to make use of social media for the purposes of customer acquisition, information gathering, the maintenance of business contacts, market design and decision-making.

Course Code: EN010/English

Instruction Language: English

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic elements of communication, to provide practical experience in the preparation and delivery of public presentations, while also delivering key critical listening skills. Businesses expect university graduates to be able to deliver a high level of written and oral communication. In fact, communications skills are amongst some of the highest rated skills expected of Irish graduates in the Irish business community. Businesses and other organizations rely on successful communications to be able to operate successfully in a challenging local and global market. We hope to improve the students’ communications skills and give them the confidence they need to succeed in college presentations as well as in their future professional endeavours.

Course Code: EN272/English

Instruction Language: English

Throughout this course students will be introduced to writing, both poetry and prose. The workshops will focus on the practicalities of writing, editing and giving and taking criticism of work. Students will be expected to produce writing for discussion and criticism and to work on developing these extracts in the light of that criticism. Students will also look critically at the work of established writers.

Course Code: EN254/English

Instruction Language: English

The early decades of the twentieth century was a period of remarkable creativity in Irish writing. During those decades Irish writers made a significant contribution to both Irish literature and world literature. In this course we will discuss a number of exemplary works from this period, beginning with the founding of the Abbey Theatre in 1904 and some of the plays produced there. We will then explore the poetry of W.B Yeats, paying attention to the different stages in his writing career and his evolving poetic engagement with Ireland and modernity. Finally, we will examine two works by James Joyce, his short story ‘The Dead’ and his first novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Throughout we will be exploring the complex relationship between literature, culture and politics in this formative period of Irish history. We will also be developing our understanding of the Irish Revival and of Irish Modernism.

Course Code: HY202/History

Instruction Language: English

This module introduces students to the history of early medieval Ireland. It explores Irish society from the arrival of St Patrick in Ireland to the death of Brian Boru in 1014. Throughout the course students will be introduced to a variety of primary source material while also contextualizing developments in Irish society throughout the period. The topics covered include Christianity and the development of monasteries, Gaelic Irish society, kingship, vernacular law, the Viking raids and the development of Viking settlements, a study of Brian Boru as well as the impact of the Battle of Clontarf on contemporary Irish society and subsequent Irish history.

Course Code: ID201/History

Instruction Language: English

In this class students develop a broad understanding of early cultural heritage in the areas of archaeology, history and early Irish literature. Diverse and exciting aspects of Irish cultural history, as well as care, presentations and future development of important heritage sites are assessed.

Course Code: HY273/History

Instruction Language: English

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the causes and consequences of the Great Irish Famine, 1845 to 1853. In particular, students will examine the impact of the Famine at a local level. The Great Famine was the greatest social catastrophe in Irish history. In that short period over one million people died, while another one million people emigrated from Ireland. This module will examine the economic, social and political background, as well as the public and private reactions to the disaster. In addition, the module will discuss the continued legacy of the Famine with a particular focus on the Irish Diaspora.

Course Code: ID202/History

Instruction Language: English

This is a foundation course in Irish Cultural Heritage Studies. An assessment of the diverse and exciting aspects of Irish cultural history including archaeology, history, architecture and the arts, the literature of places and the creation and manipulation of history in relation to some of the great prehistoric and early medieval locations in Ireland. The care, presentation and future development of important heritage sites such as Emain Macha, the Hill of Tara, the Boyne Valley (Newgrange) and Clonmacnoise will be assessed in the context of modern scholarly interpretation and the increasing importance of cultural awareness.

Course Code: KD310/International Development

Instruction Language: English

This module on ‘Global Development Issues and Responses’ focuses on the big challenges facing our world today and how we can respond to them. It aims to enhance students’ understanding of international development priorities and policies and their knowledge of Ireland’s and the EU’s relationship with the wider world. The module will examine the causes and consequences of climate change, globalisation and migration and the roles of government, business, civil society and individuals in addressing these global challenges.