Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
6th Year Voices of Change: Ireland and the Wider World
This course explores the evolution of Irish society and its global connections from the 19th century to the modern era. Students investigate the impact of revolution, industrialization, and social change through evidence based inquiry and multiple perspectives.

01Life in the 19th Century
An investigation into the social and economic conditions of Victorian Ireland and the impact of the Great Famine.
Examine the social structure, land ownership, and economic conditions in Ireland before the Great Famine.
Investigate the scientific causes of the potato blight and its immediate impact on Irish agriculture.
Explore personal accounts and primary sources to understand the human experience of the Great Famine.
Study the mass emigration from Ireland during and after the Famine, and its impact on the Irish diaspora.
Examine the philosophy behind the Victorian workhouse system and its intended role in poverty relief.
Investigate the harsh realities of daily life, diet, and conditions for inmates in Irish workhouses.
Explore the major technological innovations of the Industrial Revolution and their global impact.
Focus on the specific growth of the linen and shipbuilding industries in Belfast during the 19th century.

02Revolution and Independence
Tracing the path from the 1916 Rising to the establishment of the Irish Free State.
Examine the political and cultural movements leading up to the 1916 Rising, including Home Rule and cultural nationalism.
Detail the key events of Easter Week, the locations involved, and the prominent figures of the Rising.
Investigate the British response to the Rising, the executions of its leaders, and the shift in Irish public sentiment.
Explore the rise of Sinn Féin and the establishment of the First Dáil Éireann, challenging British authority.
Study the tactics of the IRA's flying columns and the roles of leaders like Michael Collins during the War of Independence.
Investigate the diverse roles played by women in Cumann na mBan and other organizations during the struggle for independence.
Examine the negotiations that led to the Anglo-Irish Treaty and its key provisions, including Dominion status and partition.
Study the reasons for the split in the republican movement and the outbreak of the Irish Civil War.

03World War II: The Emergency
Exploring Ireland's neutrality and the global impact of the Second World War.
Examine the reasons behind Ireland's decision to remain neutral during World War II, known as 'The Emergency'.
Investigate the impact of wartime rationing on daily life, food, and resources in neutral Ireland.
Study the role of censorship in Ireland during The Emergency and its effect on public knowledge of the war.
Explore the historical context of the Holocaust, including the rise of Hitler and the persecution of Jewish people in Germany.
A sensitive examination of the conditions and experiences of victims in Nazi ghettos and concentration camps.
Study acts of defiance, resistance, and rescue during the Holocaust, highlighting human courage and compassion.
Investigate the events leading to the 1941 bombing of Dublin's North Strand and its immediate aftermath.

04Modern Ireland and Civil Rights
Examining the movements for social change and the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Explore the social and economic developments in the Republic of Ireland from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Study the major events and figures of the US Civil Rights Movement, such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.
Investigate the specific grievances and demands of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) in the 1960s.
Examine the events that led to the escalation of conflict in Northern Ireland, including Bloody Sunday and the deployment of the British Army.
Explore the daily impact of the conflict on ordinary people, communities, and children in Northern Ireland.
Investigate the various attempts at peace-making, including political negotiations and grassroots initiatives.
Detail the key provisions of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and its immediate impact on Northern Ireland.

05Ancient Civilizations: The Maya
A comparative study of the sophisticated society of the Maya in Central America.
Explore the geographical location, timeline, and general characteristics of the ancient Maya civilization.
Investigate the complex hieroglyphic writing system of the Maya and what it reveals about their society.
Explore the advanced mathematical concepts, including the concept of zero, and astronomical observations of the Maya.
Study the intricate Maya calendar systems, including the Long Count, Tzolkin, and Haab', and their cultural significance.
Investigate the layout, architecture, and function of major Maya urban centers like Tikal and Chichen Itza.
Explore the innovative agricultural techniques of the Maya, such as raised fields, and their relationship with the environment.
Examine the various theories proposed by historians and archaeologists to explain the decline of the Classic Maya civilization.

06Technology and Change
Examining how inventions have transformed communication and transport over the last century.
Trace the development of early electrical communication technologies and their initial impact on society.
Explore the impact of broadcast media on news, entertainment, and cultural unity in the 20th century.
Investigate the development of the internet and its profound effects on communication, information, and global connectivity.
Examine the beginnings of the Space Race, focusing on the launch of Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin's first spaceflight.
Study the Apollo 11 mission, the first human landing on the Moon, and its global significance.
Explore how technologies developed for space travel have led to innovations used in everyday life.
Investigate the revolutionary discovery of germ theory and its impact on public health and hygiene practices.