HI4325 The Orange Order

Module Coordinator: Professor David Fitzpatrick
Duration: Michaelmas Term
Contact hours: 2 hours per week
Weighting: 10 ECTS
Assessment: 20% essay, 80% examination

This module explores the importance of the Orange Order in Irish political, military, religious and social history since 1795. There is ample opportunity for students to carry out original research on many aspects of its tumultuous history. Apart from the objectives and organisation of the Orange Order and associated brotherhoods, we shall examine the significance of their rituals and symbolism, drawing connections with other fraternities such as Freemasonry.  Some attention will be paid to the development and significance of Orangeism outside Ireland.

The aim of this module is to analyse key developments in the history of the Orange Order since 1795, through the study of primary and secondary sources

Bibliographical advice will be provided in the module handbook

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Analyse developments in the history of the Orange Order and related organizations, in Ireland and beyond
• Identify and search for relevant secondary literature
• Engage with relevant theoretical and critical approaches to the history of Orangeism
• Apply different techniques of evaluation and interpretation to relevant primary sources
• Critique relevant historiography in the light of primary sources
• Present and discuss analysis of questions relating to the history of the Orange Order
• Analyse the impact of the Orange Order in Irish political, military, religious and social history.