Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

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.

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

Standard entry to Master's at College level

CELTCIV4027

None.

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ 3500 word essay (60%)

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

■ general oral contribution to seminars (10%)

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)

■ Recorded Presentation OR written script of equivalent length OR Power point with substantial notes as an alternative to the presentation

■ Written responses to seminar material in advance or after seminar or they can write a self-evaluation reflecting on seminar contribution as alternative to oral contribution.

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

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.

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