Course Catalogue

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An introduction to the visual culture of the Celtic-speaking peoples from the Iron Age to the present day with special emphasis on the Early Medieval period (AD 400-1200). The approach is consciously inter-disciplinary and seeks to integrate art historical and other approaches to material culture with an examination of contemporary texts relating to the social and cultural context of art and artists.

10 x 1 hour lectures, 4 x 1 hour seminars, over 10 weeks; 3 x 2 hours external visits; as scheduled in MyCampus

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Celtic Civilisation and Celtic Studies and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes.  

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Essay (2,000 words) 25%

■ Class participation (10%)

■ Seminar paper, comprising of oral presentation (8 mins) and written handout (2 page) (15%)

■ Written exam (2 hours) (50%)

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ 1:1 presentation / Q&A with course convenor or recorded presentation as alternative to seminar presentation.

■ There is no alternative to the exam, but extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustment.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

■ to develop the intellectual and analytical skills acquired during the first two years, whether in Celtic or elsewhere

■ to explore methodological approaches and techniques of analysis, as applied to a specific subject area

■ to introduce debates and interpretations, as well as new ideas derived from current research

■ to encourage the development of transferable skills by fostering individual initiatives, personal choice, and group discussion

■ to foster an understanding of pre-modern visual culture through analysis of key surviving artworks and the main problems of methodology and interpretation which attach to them

■ to foster a critical awareness of the contribution of visual arts to understanding the history, culture and society of the Celtic-speaking peoples, especially in the Early Middle Ages

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. outline the social and cultural functions of Celtic art objects

2. demonstrate a critical understanding of their modes of production (technical and social)

3. interpret and analyse iconography, ornament and other elements of style

4. evaluate the potential of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of early medieval Celtic art