HistoryHub
Connecting past and present
UCD offers a variety of study options and entry pathways, ranging from full-time degrees to short-term courses for pure interest.
Open Learning is a flexible way of studying history part-time at UCD.
Lifelong Learning offers all adult learners the opportunity to explore history, and many other subjects of their choice, without the pressure of an examination.
For 2022 / 2023 UCD School of History has a range of course options available as part of the Open Learning and Lifelong Learning programmes.
The Lifelong Learning options from UCD School of History for autumn 2023 and spring 2024 will be available soon.
The Lifelong Learning options from UCD School of History for autumn 2023 and spring 2024 are:
Autumn 2023 Spring 2024This course examines left and right-wing terrorism, a type of political violence linked to the emergence of extra-parliamentary movements supported by paramilitary organisations ready to engage the ‘enemy’ in battle during the so-called ‘Years of Lead’ (1969-1988), a period marked by so large a number of bombings, assassinations, mutilations, and kidnappings (14,615) to be regarded as ‘the worst outbreak of terrorist violence in the industrialised world’
Tutor: Dr Chiara Tedaldi
Location: Online
Start date: 2 Oct 2023
Fee: €185
Book here.
This course introduces learners to the methods and sources for conducting effective Irish family history. A special emphasis is placed on sources for the 19th and early 20th centuries, many of which are freely accessible online. Learners work individually and collaboratively to find, analyse and evaluate historical evidence. They are also given the opportunity to create their own family history research outputs. The course is ideal for those wishing to begin researching family history
Tutor: Dr Eoin Ó Donnchadha
Location: Belfield
Start date: 2 October 2023
Fee: €185.
Book here.
*There will be a free taster lecture for this course at 2pm on August 14 in UCD. Click here to book your place.
This course aims to introduce students to the history of the decolonisation of Africa after World War II. We will analyse what caused the break-up of the long-established empires such as the British and French and in doing so will explore factors such as economic forces, independence movements and international pressures. We will also consider how African countries gained their independence and the obstacles their leaders faced in building their new nations. We will discuss how the leaders of the newly independent countries addressed the political, economic, and social challenges facing them as they set about building their nation. Finally, we will assess the ways African countries continue to experience the legacy of colonialism and decolonisation. The course does not presuppose an in-depth knowledge of the history of Africa or decolonisation.
Tutor: Dr Sarah Feehan
Location: Belfield
Start date: 29 January 2024
Fee: €160.
Book here.
*There will be a free taster lecture for this course entitled ‘Why did the British Empire End?’ on 18 January 2024. Book here.
This course examines Yugoslavian history from the perspective of the social, economic, and intellectual changes that affected Europe at the end of the twentieth century. Its turbulent history made it a byword for supposed Balkan barbarity, backwardness, and foreignness. Yet, questions about its violent demise should not reflect stereotypes and prejudices. Attention should focus instead on the role played by nationalism, religion, and cultural ‘otherness’ in the founding, survival, and ultimate break up of this multinational state.
Tutor: Dr Chiara Tedaldi
Location: Online
Start date: 31 January 2024
Fee: €185.
Book here.
‘Land and the Irish, 1741-1939’ explores two centuries of conflict and upheaval in rural Ireland as tenants confronted their landlords—and regularly engaged in vicious internecine struggles with each other—in a series of agrarian insurgencies that were often bloodier and of more consequence than the much vaunted nationalist uprisings of the same period.
Tutor: Dr Myles Dungan
Location: Venue TBC
Start date: 31 January 2024
Fee: €185.
Book here.
Click here for more information on the Lifelong Learning history courses.
For registration and fee details go to the UCD ALL website, call 01 7167123 or email: all@ucd.ie
Open Learning means you can fit university around your life. Whether you’re looking to progress your career, or you’ve just finished school and wondering if university is for you, Open Learning fits around your schedule and gives you all the benefits of being a full-time student, without the full-time commitment.
Open Learning allows you to select the modules you wish to study, set the pace of your study, and whether you undertake the module assessment.
The School of History at UCD is the perfect environment for anyone who has a love of history.
The modules – all taught by experts in their field who bring their new research to the classroom – create for everyone the opportunity to explore the past. Sometimes this can mean looking afresh at what might appear to be familiar subjects and on other occasions it means investigating entirely new areas of study. It is this willingness to embrace new ideas and new approaches that defines the School of History.
The details of the Open Learning modules at UCD School of History for 2023 / 2024 are now available.
UCD offers a variety of study options and entry pathways, ranging from full-time degrees to short-term courses for pure interest. Lifelong Learning offers all adult learners the opportunity to explore a subject of their choice without the pressure of an examination. Open Learning is a flexible way of studying part-time at UCD. Explore your history options for the coming year.
Dr Mark Jones is Assistant Professor in Global History at University College Dublin. A specialist in the history of political violence, war, and revolution, his publications include ‘Founding Weimar. Violence and the German Revolution of 1918-19 (Cambridge University Press, 2016). His latest book is ‘1923: The Forgotten Crisis in the Year of Hitler’s Coup’. This podcast ‘The murder of Walter Rathenau and the survival of Weimar democracy. Mark Jones on the year 1923’ is based on this latest book.
The first in-person meeting of the Military Welfare History Network took place in Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin on 7 July 2023. The event, which was co-ordinated by Dr Paul Huddie, comprised two keynotes and four panels, totalling 14 speakers. Conference keynotes by Dr Matthew Neufeld (University of Saskatchewan) and Dr Ke-Chin Hsia (Indiana University Bloomington) were recorded and are now available to podcast.
In June 2023 Professor Caitríona Beaumont (LSBU / UCD) joined UCD historians Dr Mary McAuliffe and Dr Fionnuala Walsh to record a podcast on a new project: AFTERLIVES.
The aim of the project is to uncover the afterlives and trace the life stories of lesser known activist women. As Beaumont explains, the inspiration for the project came from a surprising discovery.
