Print this page Emigrate or Die! The Great Irish Famine

The Great Famine devastated Ireland between 1845 and 1850 taking the lives of up to one and a half million people, and forcing another two million to leave Ireland forever. This famine driven tide of immigrants had great and lasting repercussions within the countries in which they settled. This course examines the magnitude of the disaster by tracing its origins together with the political, social and economic setting of the famine. Issues arising from migration will also be introduced.

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Author: Jill Blee

Course Code: D131

Supplied Material: Course Booklet

Units & Pricing: 6 units / $78 per person

GETTING STARTED

Start your Group: Anyone can start a Discussion Group – seek out some like-minded friends or put up a notice in your local library, bookshop or workplace. Please note a minimum of 6 people is required to start a new discussion group.

Arrange the Meetings: New groups need to decide where and when to meet, and for how long – whatever best suits members' particular situations.

Run your Group: Choose a secretary to liaise with WEA and your tutor, a Discussion Leader to chair meetings, a reporter to take discussion notes to send to your tutor, and maybe a librarian to look after the books.

Start the Course: Contact WEA Sydney to enrol. Bookings can be made for one year, divided into two terms – Term 1 commences in February, Term 2 in July (Groups may make forward bookings for popular choices). Please indicate in what order your Group wishes to study the courses, if more than one course is booked.