There are now more opportunities for cultural growth and development through the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences’ Irish Studies minor, available for the fall 2025 semester. Students will be able to choose from new courses that will offer musical, historical and cultural understanding.
Rhetorics of Irish Storytelling, taught by Dr. Jenna Green, director of foundations instruction, will have students working closely with Narrative 4, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Lisa Consiglio and Irish author Colum McCann. Students will participate in Narrative 4 story exchanges and consider storytelling as a means of cultivating hope.
“The course will use rhetorical analysis to examine how stories represent significant cultural shifts and attempt answers to ongoing societal questions,” Green says. “We’ll focus on Irish authors to help us discern the transformative power of stories to make sense of our pasts, craft our present and imagine our future.”
This class will be held during the fall 2025 semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Prerequisites of ENGL 1001, HOPR 1955H or an equivalent are required.
James Joyce’s Ulysses, taught by Rev. Jim Pribek, S.J., assistant vice president of mission and ministry, is one of the great adventures of any academic career.
“I have taught this course six times before, in four different cities, as a graduate, undergraduate and honors course,” Father Pribek says. “It occupies a central place in studies of Irish literature, so much so that some Irish writers find it oppressive. It’s not a bad problem to have, when a nation as small as Ireland can boast of having its take on language and culture at the heart of modern literature. The minor would not be complete without a course on Ulysses.”
The class will be held during the fall 2025 semester on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Prerequisites of ENGL 1001 or HOPR 1955H are required.
Introduction to the Irish Tin Whistle, taught by Rev. Ryan Duns, S.J., chair and associate professor of theology, will teach students how to play traditional tunes on the popular Irish instrument.
Father Duns, who has played the tin whistle for over 35 years, has taught the course in the past — but this will be his third semester teaching it at Marquette.
“I taught a version of this course at Fordham University many years ago, and we had a blast,” Father Duns says. “I think students should be willing to take a risk to learn to play an instrument, and I think I provide a fun and supportive learning environment. I love Irish music and want to share this love with others by giving them a chance to ‘find their voice’ as Irish musicians.”
No prior musical experience is needed for this beginner course. If students do have prior music knowledge, Father Duns says he will work to give them more advanced instruction.
The course will be held during the fall 2025 semester on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. No textbooks are required; only a tin whistle, which typically costs under $20.
Introduction to Irish Dancing, taught by Brigid Kinsella-Alba, assistant director of mission engagement, will also be available. Kinsella-Alba has been an Irish dancer most of her life and owns Kinsella Irish Dance in Milwaukee with her husband Ryan.
“This course will introduce students to the traditional dances of Ireland, including solo step dance footwork, group set dancing and ceili dancing,” Kinsella-Alba says. “The class will include warm-ups, technique and choreography. Students will gain an understanding of Irish traditional musical rhythms. All levels welcome. Experienced Irish dancers will be able to prepare and take Grade Exams offered two times per year at Marquette.”
This class will be held during the fall 2025 semester on Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. For more information about the Irish Studies minor, please contact Green at jenna.green@marquette.edu.
