This course introduces students to the rich reserve of Irish novels that remains largely untapped in most traditional English curriculum and in the meantime cultivates students’ appreciation of novels in general. The texts selected are written by internationally acclaimed Irish novelists who through their literary production have helped shape how both the world and the Irish people themselves understand Ireland. The selected novels cover a wide range of staple issues essential for making sense of contemporary Irish society, including family, religion, history, emigration, etc., while the time periods of the novels’ setting range from the beginning of the 20th century, which Ireland was still a British colony, to as recent as the fall of Celtic Tiger in early 21st century. By reading and discussing these Irish novels, student will consider from different aspects the formation of an identity known to the world as “Irish.” Moreover, given the recognizable parallels between Ireland and Taiwan, students will also be encouraged to think critically about the island represented in these texts and their own island—Taiwan, so that the appreciation of literary texts will engender a deeper understanding of one’s own self and the world around.

*Course info specific to Spring 2020 will be updated during winter vacation. The reading list is updated, though. -Bruce, 2020/1/1.