God and the Dead Generations: Public History and Catholic Heritage in Ireland

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Historians and architects often disagree on the use of terms such as preservation, conservation, and cultural heritage, particularly with reference to the built environment. What happens when historical buildings face abandonment, destruction, or repurposing? What does it mean to preserve the past? Should communities be involved in the process? And how can we save the history if we can't save the objects themselves? This course explores these questions through a systematic analysis of the plight of Catholic Church buildings in Ireland. As the Church undergoes a continuing decline in attendance stemming from cultural developments, clergy shortages, shifting demographics, and lingering anticlericalism, many parish buildings face a risk of loss. Students will learn to evaluate these buildings for their historical content, assess the strategies for retaining that value, and collaborate with local communities to contribute to a digital archive of historical preservation. The course includes a class trip to Ireland during Fall Break for students to gain first-hand experience applying these skills and working with PARISH, an ongoing research project based in the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies. Enrollment requires submission of an application essay. Students should contact Dr. Heather Stanfiel (stanfiel.2@nd.edu) for instructions.