University College Cork

Clothing, tools, technologies, and architecture, the physical or material realm is central to cultural processes and cultural expression. This course examines approaches to the study of material culture and technology through discussion of theoretical approaches and the examination of case studies covering topics that may include vernacular architecture, clothing (the t-shirt), pottery, folk costume, museum display, cars, and student material culture. The course examines the study and documentation of material culture as an entry point to cultural analysis in disciplines such as folklore, ethnology, and anthropology. The course locates material culture studies within folklore and cognate disciplines, considering the physical or material realm as central to cultural processes and cultural expression. It approaches the study of material culture through discussion of theoretical approaches and the examination of case studies covering topics that include vernacular, traditional and contemporary material culture.

This course examines the emergence of the Celts in the earliest historical record. Students learn to outline the history of the Celtic peoples from the earliest evidence; describe the impact on early European history of the migration of Celtic speaking peoples; discuss how the Celts were viewed by Classical authors; and to show an understanding of the diverse range of sources for the period including archaeological, historical, and linguistic.

The course develops students' understanding of democratic theories and models, and introduces them to national and international democratic innovations to widen and deepen citizen participation.