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Overview

There are five main areas from which material may be drawn (not necessarily taught as separate units):

i) ‘Mythology/Mythologies’ – examining the evidence relating to gods and religion
ii) Manuscripts and literacy: considering the main manuscripts in the Welsh and Irish traditions
iii) Church and Saints: the 'Celtic Church' and 'Celtic Christianity'
iv) Prose: the 'Mabinogion' and the Irish Cycles
v) Poetry: the poet and bardic tradition in Wales and Ireland; the praise and satirical traditions; contemporary Welsh poetry and the Eisteddfod.

The linguistic material completes the module content.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold students (low D grades) will display a range of appropriate knowledge – or appropriate depth – in at least part of the relevant field, and will at least partly succeed in forming an argument which gets to grips with the issues discussed in the essay. They will show awareness of the types of core evidence which is available, and the way in which the evidence can be used and interpreted.

-good -Good students (B grades) will show firm abilities in all the aspects noted in the above paragraph, and will show at least a little originality in their readings of the texts.

-excellent -Excellent students (A grades) will display these firm abilities across the criteria, as well as a particular depth of knowledge and/or skilfulness in their analysis. They will also show consistent originality in their reading and interpretation work.

Learning Outcomes

• The students will understand in detail the different sources for, and aspects of, the ‘Celtic’ literary tradition, and the social institutions which supported it.

• They will also be able to confidently present and discuss the field of study orally.

• They will be able to apply research skills to this specific field, developing an understanding of different aspects of the ways in which speakers of the Celtic languages thought about their own identity.

• They will be able to present clear and lucid arguments, based on evidence, about the value and purpose of literacy and cultures of the written word in mediaeval Celtic societies.

• They will plan, structure and complete an academic essay which will examine specific aspects of the field.

• They will possess an understanding of the basic features of Middle Welsh (or exceptionally another Celtic language), allowing them to continue to further advanced study.