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Course Info for FYSM - 191 - 01, Fall 2026
Class number: 3390 Title: Music in the Irish Tradition Department: First Year Sem & Colloq
Career: Undergraduate Component: Seminar Session: Regular
Instructor's Permission Required: Yes Grading Basis: Graded Units: 1.00
Enrollment limited to 16 Current enrollment: 16 Available seats: 0
Start date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 End date: Wednesday, December 23, 2026 Mode of Instruction: In Person
Schedule: TR: 10:50AM-12:05PM, AAC - 112 Instructor(s): Hast, Dora
Prerequisite(s): Only first-year students are eligible to enroll in this class.
Distribution Requirement: Meets FirstYr Seminar Requirement
Course Description:
Traditional Irish music and dance are important symbols of Irish cultural and national identity. The contemporary performance of the traditional arts is linked to Ireland’s sense of history: long years of struggle under British colonial rule, the impact of three centuries of emigration, and the formation of the nation. In the late 20th century, these traditional arts entered the global marketplace through recordings, tours, and mega-shows, such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. As a result, new meanings, styles, and fusions emerged as Irish music moved closer to the mainstream. Nevertheless, Irish traditional music and dance have remained strong performance genres in Ireland and throughout the Irish diaspora up to the present day. In this course, we will explore how Irish traditional music and dance have maintained their “Irishness” over time. Students may not earn credit for this course and MUSC 240, The Irish Music Tradition.