Medieval Welsh Literature In Translation (PGT) CELTCIV5033

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

This is a course surveying the literature of medieval Wales from the early poetry celebrating kings and warfare through the high points of medieval Welsh stories (The Four branches of the Mabinogi, Arthurian tales); to late medieval poetry of love and nature. While providing an overview and introduction to the literature, there will also be emphasis on scholarly debates and revisions in how we should understand these texts.

Timetable

2 one-hour lectures / seminars per week x 10 weeks

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry to Master's at College level

Excluded Courses

CELTCIV4027

Co-requisites

None.

Assessment

3500 word essay (60%)

15 min oral presentation (20%) and associated write-up (10%)

general oral contribution to seminars (10%)

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ provide an overview of the literature of medieval Wales by means of reading texts in translation, modern literary criticism and class discussion;

■ develop the intellectual and analytical skills appropriate to Masters level, especially as applied to Celtic literature;

■ introduce literary debates and interpretations, as well as new ideas derived from current research, encouraging new lines of enquiry by MSc students;

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

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ outline the development of Welsh literature down to 1500;

■ discuss critically at a textual level a variety of medieval Welsh texts (in translation);

■ engage with and comment on debates and analysis of these texts by modern scholars;

■ apply a sound knowledge of the resources for the study of medieval Welsh literature and an awareness of current scholarly debates and ideas to individual research and analysis in written work

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.