Course
5 November — 10 December 2025
Join us at the James Joyce Centre where Dr. Josh Q. Newman will lead a six-week course on James Joyce’s groundbreaking first novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
Published in 1916, A Portrait covers many areas: a coming-of-age story (bildungsroman), a snapshot of Ireland at the turn of the 20th century, an examination of religious, historical, and national forces on the individual, a penetrating insight into the human psyche, a foundational work of Modernism, a fictional treatise on aesthetics and youth — among others. It is at once personal and universal, touching and shocking, beautiful and revolting.
Via Joyce’s alterego, Stephen Dedalus, readers are taken on a journey that shows the potential, as well as the limits, of human growth and artistic expression. Joyce’s innovations in prose writing changed the literary conventions of his time and would serve as a springboard for his next novel Ulysses, one of the most influential and radical works of literature of the Modernist movement with which Joyce is often associated. A Portrait stands on its own right as one of the most important works of literature in the 20th century.
This course will go through the novel in detail. Starting on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, we will examine the laboured production of the novel as well as its historical and literary influences and other supplementary material. The course will consist of readings, group discussions, presentations, and guest lectures.
You do not have to be an academic or so familiar with Joyce’s work to enjoy the class!
Course Details:
-Location: Zoom & The James Joyce Centre (35 North Great George’s Street)
-Dates: 5 November – 10 December 2025
-Time: Every Wednesday, 6-8pm Irish Standard Time
-Registration: €100
Each session will be livestreamed on Zoom, recorded and made available for view on Moodle. Recordings are done with the consent of the attendee in accordance with GDRP. If you do not wish to be recorded, you may still enjoy the class but your video and microphone will be disabled. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Spaces are limited so to be sure to register soon. We look forward to seeing you in class!
The James Joyce Centre is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.