Ireland, in recent decades, has experienced the highs and lows of globalization and monetary crisis. The Celtic Tiger economy was the "fastest growing ... in Europe" from 1995-2005. Three years later, the country entered recession, ultimately requiring an 85 billion Euro "bailout" from the EU and IMF. Before long, international news outlets lauded Ireland as "the poster-child for implementing austerity programs." Is this the typical trajectory for a postcolonial nation still carving out its economic position in the new Europe and beyond?
This course focuses on recent Irish writers who engage these boom and bust years. It considers how literature represents a period of unprecedented economic, social and cultural transformation? It evaluates the creative and/or imaginative arts' contribution to helping a society survive economic austerity? It examines representations of unemployment, emigration, bankruptcy, depression, as well as resiliency, entrepreneurial spirit, and community rebuilding.
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