Course Catalogue

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This course offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the social and cultural impact of literacy on the Celtic-speaking peoples, from the introduction of writing on the eve of the Roman period, to the advent of printing. With an emphasis on the physical reality of writing in its many forms, both manuscript and epigraphic, current theoretical approaches to literacy and orality are applied to both ecclesiastical and secular cultures of writing

10x1hr lectures over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus.

6x1hr seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus.

4x1hr tutorials over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus.

Standard entry to Masters at College level.

Literacy in Celtic Culture and Society honours course.

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Seminar paper of 15 minutes on a topic selected by student in discussion with tutor: 30%

■ Contribution to seminars (engagement with discussion and in setting agenda for next seminar): 10%

■ 3500 word essay: 60%

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

■ Recorded presentation; a written script of equivalent length; a PowerPoint with substantial notes; or a one-to-one presentation as alternative to oral 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 seminar contribution.

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

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

This course aims to:

■ Engage with the latest research and critical perspectives in the disciplines of Latin and vernacular literature; history; palaeography; art history; and archaeology, as this relates to the nature and uses of literacy in Celtic-speaking societies in the pre-Modern period

■ Examine critically the interface between these disciplines, and the scholarly approaches that have contributed to each of them, in investigating cultures of writing among Celtic-speaking peoples

■ Develop capacity to discuss a topic in depth, with attention to current debates and critical issues, and to communicate complex issues both in writing and orally to a small group.

■ Specialise in a particular area of interest, whether chronological, geographical, or thematic

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

■ outline the range and impact of uses of literacy in different Celtic-speaking societies at different periods within the Middle Ages

■ demonstrate a critical understanding of the impact of the physical form of written artefacts

■ assess the extent to which the form and preservation of extant Medieval Celtic texts has been shaped by contemporary literacies

■ critically assess the value of cross-cultural comparison to the study of literacy among the Celtic-speaking peoples

■ demonstrate an understanding of current theoretical approaches to orality and literacy