Undergraduate Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Studies 2018-2019

This course gives students an introduction to the modern Irish language. It covers basic conversation skills, and the structures of the language, through the use of songs, videos and speaking practice in class. It is open to those with little or no knowledge of the language.

This course introduces the oldest vernacular literature of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, beginning in the sixth century AD. We explore heroic narratives featuring, for example, the Scandinavian monster-fighter Beowulf (immortalized in England’s first epic poem), the Irish warrior Cú Chulainn (hero of the Táin) and the tragic Welsh princess Branwen, caught up in a fatal power-struggle between Wales and Ireland. We examine praise-poetry, meditative poetry, and look at mythological tales about the old gods and voyages to Otherworld isles in the western ocean.

This course explores the changing cultures of the early mediaeval North, especially the cultural history and literatures of Britain and Ireland between the Anglo-Saxon settlement of south Britain and the Norman invasions half a millennium later. These islands were a cultural and ethnic melting-pot between Celtic and Germanic peoples, as seen through a rich body of texts: heroic poems, historical narratives, law-texts, family trees, letters and outlaw-legends. In lectures and small-group tutorials, we explore the diverse forms of social organisation which emerged, and we examine how these peoples interacted with each other: from sex to violence and everything in between.

This course is a continuation of the first-semester course in the modern Irish language. It will encourage conversations in Irish on more advanced topics, through the use of current news programmes and features, songs, literature, and speaking practice in class on fun topics of the students' choice.

Greek and Roman interactions with, and perceptions of, Celtic and Germanic peoples will form the central theme of this course. We will analyse individual Classical authors' motives and judgments in relation to Celts and Germani, and how these perceptions evolved against the background of the emerging Roman Empire. The course also involves discussion of broader themes and questions posed by the sources, e.g. the portrayals of Celtic and Germanic peoples in Greek and Roman art, and the possible uses by Celtic and Anglo-Saxon literatures of Classical texts.

The course provides a basic introduction to Old Gaelic, and is an exciting option for students who are interested in exploring the history of modern Scottish Gaelic, and/or curious about Celtic grammatical structures. We will read some basic texts in the original language. Any previous language study will be an advantage. Old Gaelic is the earliest form of a Celtic language which we can reconstruct with some certainty. It holds the key to the earliest vernacular literature north of the Alps, and is the earliest attested form of both Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

The literature of the Celtic and Germanic Middle Ages is famous for tragic tales of forbidden love, and for the frankness with which its poetry approaches the subject of sexual attraction. This course will explore how the interwoven themes of love, sex and romance were dramatized in Celtic, Norse and Anglo-Saxon stories and poetry. Topics covered may include: the love-triangle, maiden-kings and cross-dressing, amorous trolls, sexual insults, the stepmother as temptress, the bride as peace-offering, elopements and abductions, otherworldly lovers, unrequited love and sexual humour.

This course will provide the opportunity for self-motivated students to pursue in-depth exploration of a specific topic in Celtic and/or Anglo-Saxon Studies. It gives students an opportunity for intensive engagement in a specific area within the research field of an individual staff member, and can be arranged as preparatory work towards a dissertation. The content of this course varies depending on the topic chosen, but the course focuses on enhancing the student's knowledge and research skills in the specified topic. Students interested in taking the course MUST discuss their specific interest before the course begins with a possible supervisor and with the Programme Co-ordinator (Aideen O'Leary).

The course consists of continued study of the Old Gaelic language, and is an exciting option for students who are interested in exploring further the history of modern Scottish Gaelic, and/or curious about Celtic grammatical structures. We will read more complex texts in the original language. Any previous language study will be an advantage. Old Gaelic is the earliest form of a Celtic language which we can reconstruct with some certainty. It holds the key to the earliest vernacular literature north of the Alps, and is the earliest attested form of both Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

This course provides an in-depth introduction to Insular script and Insular book-production. The student will, from the start, work with examples of the script and learn to read, describe, date, and localise its various forms. The history of the Insular book is an essential component of any understanding of mediaeval Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cultures.

This course will provide the opportunity for self-motivated students to pursue in-depth exploration of a specific topic in Celtic and/or Anglo-Saxon Studies. It gives students an opportunity for intensive engagement in a specific area within the research field of an individual staff member, and can be arranged as preparatory work towards a dissertation. The content of this course varies depending on the topic chosen, but the course focuses on enhancing the student's knowledge and research skills in the specified topic. Students interested in taking the course MUST discuss their specific interest before the course begins with a possible supervisor and with the Programme Co-ordinator (Aideen O'Leary).

The course provides a basic introduction to Old Gaelic, and is an exciting option for students who are interested in exploring the history of modern Scottish Gaelic, and/or curious about Celtic grammatical structures. We will read some basic texts in the original language. Any previous language study will be an advantage. Old Gaelic is the earliest form of a Celtic language which we can reconstruct with some certainty. It holds the key to the earliest vernacular literature north of the Alps, and is the earliest attested form of both Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

The literature of the Celtic and Germanic Middle Ages is famous for tragic tales of forbidden love, and for the frankness with which its poetry approaches the subject of sexual attraction. This course will explore how the interwoven themes of love, sex and romance were dramatized in Celtic, Norse and Anglo-Saxon stories and poetry. Topics covered may include: the love-triangle, maiden-kings and cross-dressing, amorous trolls, sexual insults, the stepmother as temptress, the bride as peace-offering, elopements and abductions, otherworldly lovers, unrequited love and sexual humour.

This course will provide the opportunity for self-motivated students to pursue in-depth exploration of a specific topic in Celtic and/or Anglo-Saxon Studies. It gives students an opportunity for intensive engagement in a specific area within the research field of an individual staff member, and can be arranged as preparatory work towards a dissertation. The content of this course varies depending on the topic chosen, but the course focuses on enhancing the student's knowledge and research skills in the specified topic. Students interested in taking the course MUST discuss their specific interest before the course begins with a possible supervisor and with the Programme Co-ordinator (Aideen O'Leary).

The course consists of continued study of the Old Gaelic language, and is an exciting option for students who are interested in exploring further the history of modern Scottish Gaelic, and/or curious about Celtic grammatical structures. We will read more complex texts in the original language. Any previous language study will be an advantage. Old Gaelic is the earliest form of a Celtic language which we can reconstruct with some certainty. It holds the key to the earliest vernacular literature north of the Alps, and is the earliest attested form of both Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

This course provides an in-depth introduction to Insular script and Insular book-production. The student will, from the start, work with examples of the script and learn to read, describe, date, and localise its various forms. The history of the Insular book is an essential component of any understanding of mediaeval Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cultures.

The Dissertation in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies is for Senior Honours students registered in the Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies degree programme. It will consist of approximately 3 one-hour tutorials, to provide students with guidance on selecting a suitable academic topic and developing a methodology for tackling this topic.

This course will provide the opportunity for self-motivated students to pursue in-depth exploration of a specific topic in Celtic and/or Anglo-Saxon Studies. It gives students an opportunity for intensive engagement in a specific area within the research field of an individual staff member, and can be arranged as preparatory work towards a dissertation. The content of this course varies depending on the topic chosen, but the course focuses on enhancing the student's knowledge and research skills in the specified topic. Students interested in taking the course MUST discuss their specific interest before the course begins with a possible supervisor and with the Programme Co-ordinator (Aideen O'Leary).