About This Course
Our MA in Arthurian Studies explores insular (Britain and Ireland) and Continental medieval traditions of Arthurian writing from the inception of the legend (perhaps as early as the 6th century) to the present day. Students may engage in deep comparative study of Latin, Welsh, Irish, Breton and English/French texts, with the additional advantage of studying other linguistic traditions, if necessary in modern English translation.
Our experts teach on such subjects as Welsh and ‘Celtic’ mythology, including its dissemination and reception in modern mystical traditions and wider thought (Aled Llion Jones, Jerry Hunter, Peredur Lynch); the adaptation of Welsh material in modern fiction (Jerry Hunter, Andy Webb); the representation of women, sex and death in medieval literature (Sue Niebrzydowski); medieval English and French romance and chronicles and the medieval manuscript, and the adaptation of medieval motifs in the 19th c and beyond, including editing texts (Raluca Radulescu); Shakespeare, myth in the early modern period (Andrew Hiscock); adaptation of Welsh legend from the 16th to the 19th c. (Jerry Hunter), Romantic medievalism (Carol Tully), Victorian medievalism (Karin Koehler); and modern and contemporary literature (Andy Webb), and film. Applicants may also work with one of our creative writers to include creative writing in their portfolio of work.
Background
Arthurian Studies is an established area of expertise at Bangor University. A long-standing record of teaching, research and publication attests to its vitality.; the main specialists in the field are Prof. Raluca Radulescu, whose work has focused on Malory, Arthurian romances and chronicles, especially through a cultural approach, and Professor PJC Field, currently President of the International Arthurian Society, and world-renowned for his work on the Arthurian legend through the centuries. This course also draws upon expertise available in other periods of literature within the College of Arts, Humanities and Business, ranging from post-medieval approaches, or medieval Welsh, History and Archaeology, and Music. Staff in these areas contribute regularly to the teaching of Arthurian topics ranging from the medieval period to the present, including music and modern film adaptations.
Why Bangor for Arthurian Studies?
The attractiveness of the MA Arthurian Studies here at Bangor University lies in its flexible, though comprehensive, approach to the study of this area. Students may choose to specialise in either the medieval or the post-medieval period but they will be required to take both modules with these titles in order to benefit from the wide coverage of the Arthurian legend they provide. At the same time they can enjoy all the benefits of one-to-one supervision in the Open Essay options, while also developing their research skills. Moreover, in-depth introductions to the study of medieval palaeography and codicology are available by collaboration with other relevant schools and disciplines, as a preparation to PhD level.
Students are encourageed to participate in the activities of the Centre for Arthurian Studies, including the annual international postgraduate conference, ‘Medievalism Transformed’ and the bi-monthly Institute for Medieval and Early Modern Studies seminar series .
Programme Length
MA: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time; PGDiploma: 9 months full-time (also available part-time) PGCert: 8 months full-time; 1 year part-time.
Research Opportunities
A collaboration with the tourist attraction ’King Arthur’s Labyrinth’ at Corris has led to fully funded Access to Masters MA places on this degree programme. The course also maintains links with people and organisations beyond Bangor: these might include guest speakers and visits to sites of literary interest.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
The MA in Arthurian Studies offers a carefully chosen programme of modules to guide you through this rich, interdisciplinary field of investigation and to prepare you for research at an advanced level. The programme consists of two parts: Part One (taught) must be successfully completed before proceeding to Part Two (the dissertation).
Students will complete 180 credits, comprising 120 credits taught modules and a dissertation (60 credits). During semesters 1 and 2 students will take the compulsory modules in Medieval Arthur and Post-medieval Arthur. Remaining taught modules will be chosen from a list of available options which may include: Understanding the Middle Ages, Creation of the Modern Celt*, the Celt: Celtic Institutions*, Contemporary Literature, and Critical Theory, Practice and Research.
For Part 2 of this course students will progress to the dissertation element, which runs across the summer. Students will be able to select either the Postgraduate Dissertation, or the Creative Writing Dissertation. The dissertation represents the culmination of the programme of study in the production of either a substantial piece of scholarly research (Postgraduate Dissertation) or a substantial piece of creative writing (Creative Writing Dissertation). Students will be supported by an academic supervisor with meetings to discuss ideas, resources, approaches and final drafts of the dissertation.
*Welsh-medium version available
Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally hold a 2(ii) undergraduate degree in a relevant area, demonstrating high achievement in elements relevant to the proposed research or equivalent experience. In their applications, students should outline the area in which they wish to specialise.
International students whose first language is not English: An IELTS score of 6.5 with no element below 6.0 is required.
Careers
Current and past research students have engaged in higher degrees, teaching, research and librarianship in higher education, publishing, and a range of related activities. Kevin Whetter is now Associate Professor at Acadia University, Canada, and has co-edited Re-Viewing Le Morte Darthur (Cambridge: DS Brewer, 2005); Dr Takako Kato is Research Associate at the Centre for Textual Scholarship, De Montfort University, and her study Caxton’s ’Morte Darthur’: The Printing Process and the Authenticity of the Text, was published at Oxford in the Medium Aevum monograph series, in 2002; Professor Yuri Fuwa teaches at Keio University, Japan; Dr Michael Cichon is Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr John Joseph Doherty works in a US university library, and Dr Mark Adderley is Professor of English at Missouri Valley College.
