Run by School of Welsh and Celtic Studies

40.000 Credits or 20.000 ECTS Credits

Organiser: Dr Aled Llion Jones

The main aspects of ‘Celtic’ literacy in the middle ages will be studied, both poetry and prose, in a range of genres from the legends and court poetry to the laws and lives of saints etc. The focus will be on Wales and Ireland, but the other Celtic languages may be discussed as well. Also under consideration will be the continuation of these early traditions in the modern world and the twentieth century, and also what the literary evidence has to say about the attitudes of speakers of the Celtic languages towards the ‘Celtic’ concept itself. The students will develop a critical awareness of the primary resources which are represented and misinterpreted in a number of debates on ‘Celtic’ issues. The comparative element will assist students to look critically at the whole ‘Celtic’ tradition. Students will develop skills in a Celtic language (usually Middle Welsh).

There are five main areas from which material may be drawn (not necessarily taught as separate units):

i) ‘Mythology/Mythologies’ – examining the evidence relating to gods and religion
ii) Manuscripts and literacy: considering the main manuscripts in the Welsh and Irish traditions
iii) Church and Saints: the 'Celtic Church' and 'Celtic Christianity'
iv) Prose: the 'Mabinogion' and the Irish Cycles
v) Poetry: the poet and bardic tradition in Wales and Ireland; the praise and satirical traditions; contemporary Welsh poetry and the Eisteddfod.

The linguistic material completes the module content.

threshold

Threshold students (low D grades) will display a range of appropriate knowledge – or appropriate depth – in at least part of the relevant field, and will at least partly succeed in forming an argument which gets to grips with the issues discussed in the essay. They will show awareness of the types of core evidence which is available, and the way in which the evidence can be used and interpreted.

good

Good students (B grades) will show firm abilities in all the aspects noted in the above paragraph, and will show at least a little originality in their readings of the texts.

excellent

Excellent students (A grades) will display these firm abilities across the criteria, as well as a particular depth of knowledge and/or skilfulness in their analysis. They will also show consistent originality in their reading and interpretation work.

1. They will be able to present clear and lucid arguments, based on evidence, about the value and purpose of literacy and cultures of the written word in mediaeval Celtic societies.

2. They will plan, structure and complete an academic essay which will examine specific aspects of the field.

3. They will be able to apply research skills to this specific field, developing an understanding of different aspects of the ways in which speakers of the Celtic languages thought about their own identity.

4. The students will understand in detail the different sources for, and aspects of, the ‘Celtic’ literary tradition, and the social institutions which supported it.

5. They will also be able to confidently present and discuss the field of study orally.

6. They will possess an understanding of the basic features of Middle Welsh (or exceptionally another Celtic language), allowing them to continue to further advanced study.

		Hours
	Seminars – 2 hours a week x 11	22
Private study		378

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Resource implications for students

None

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/cxe-4005.html

Reading list

See Talis

Optional in courses:

• Q3AB: MA Arthurian Literature year 1 (MA/ALI)
• Q5AQ: MA The Celts year 1 (MA/CEL)