Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Instruction and direction of reading on topics not treated in regular courses of instruction.

A study of the ways in which the hero is represented in early Irish sources, especially in the saga literature. The texts reflect the ideology and concerns of a society which had been converted to Christianity, but continued to draw on its Indo-European and Celtic heritage. The biographies of the Ulster hero, Cu Chulainn, of his divine father, Lug, and of certain king-heroes are studied in depth. The wisdom literature, and archaeological and historical evidence will be taken into account.

This course examines the ways that an elusive population group called "The Celts" has been constructed from antiquity to the present. We study the linguistic, archaeological, genetic, mythological, literary and institutional bases of "Celticity" in the light of recent critiques of the ways in which these different kinds of evidence have been asked to walk hand in hand with one another in the service of certainty about Celtic identity.

An introduction to the oral traditions of Gaelic Scotland and Nova Scotia, including tales and song. The process of collecting is explored, and various folkloristic theories and approaches applied in order to gain a deeper understanding of the material.

This course will explore major themes in the first millennium of Irish history, from the coming of Christianity and the "Golden Age" of the Irish Church to the English invasions and the fall of Ireland's Gaelic civilization.

This course explores the `sprawling forest' of Gaelic literature from Ireland and Scotland surrounding Finn mac Cumaill (otherwise known as Finn MacCool). Finn is variously portrayed as a hunter-warrior-seer and is the leader of the intrepid fiana war-band. We survey this Fenian literature as it is presented to us by medieval and early modern Gaelic manuscript tradition. We also engage with the rich modern Fenian folklore of Scotland, Ireland and Nova Scotia. This includes the study of important texts such as Acallam na Senorach (`The Dialogue of the Ancients') and Toraigheacht Dhiarmada agus Ghrainne (`The Pursuit of Diarmait and Grainne'). We also consider the impact of this literature on the rest of Europe by examining the English-language-works published by James MacPherson in the 1760s and the ensuing Ossian controversy.

Introduction to early Irish story-material about legendary and historical persons and events. Attitudes to kingship and views of history in the tales are explored.

An introduction to the history and culture of Gaelic Scotland and Ireland, with particular attention to contemporary sources, including Gaelic literary sources.

An introduction to the later history and culture of Gaelic Scotland and Ireland, with particular attention to Gaelic literary sources. Language decline and revitalization efforts are also explored.

A survey of the sources for the study of Celtic mythology, with special attention to selected texts from early Ireland and Wales.

An exploration of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, Welsh Arthurian romances and tales, and the bardic lore associated with them, in the context of the literary culture of Wales in the twelfth through fourteenth centuries.

A study of selected texts associated with medieval saints' cults in Ireland, Wales, Brittany and Scotland, including saints' lives, voyage and vision narratives, hymns, prayers and poetry, in the context of the history of Christianity in the Celtic lands.

A study of the exuberant Irish prose epic Tain Bo Cuailnge (`Cattle-Raid of Cooley').

An exploration of the different types of vernacular Gaelic poetry composed in Scotland from the 16th to the 19th century, including personal lyrics and public praise-poetry, and an examination of the poets' responses to the transformation of Gaelic society from the 'clan' period to the Jacobite Risings, the Highland Clearances and the Gaelic revival at the time of the Land Wars. The course is built around the close study of a series of key texts to be read in English translation.

This course explores the role of the bard in the Celtic-speaking societies of Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Through the study of narrative sources concerning the origin and nature of poets and poetry, theoretical and legal texts, and, most especially, bardic poems from the early Middle Ages through the eighteenth century, we examine the physical, public and political power of a medium-poetic verse-now associated with "power" in the private and emotional sense only. We study bardic poems in various modes - eulogistic, satiric, commemorative, prophetic - and we examine the circumstances that support the institution of bardic poetry and those that contribute to its decline. Among the issues to be considered are patronage, convention, the relationship of rhetoric and truth, and the functions of poetic form. All readings in English translation, but there will be some exposure to the forms of bardic poetry in the original languages.

This course will seek to understand the motivation behind the creation and development of early expressions of Irish national unity and identity in the politically fragmented society of early medieval Ireland.

This course explores the central role of Gaelic manuscripts for Celtic Studies. We examine form, content and usage while also considering historical context. Practice with traditional and non-traditional Gaelic hands form an important part of this course. We cover a wide range of periods and Gaelic manuscript traditions; from the earliest Irish glosses to early modern Scottish and Irish manuscripts. Issues to be explored include: transmission, patronage, scribal practice and modern editorial methodology.

An introduction to Irish as it is spoken and written today. Class work is participatory, and includes conversational role play and games as well as grammar study and drills. Audio and audiovisual resources reinforce pronunciation and aural comprehension. Songs, proverbs, and poems are an integral part of the course, introducing students to the vibrant oral and literary tradition of Gaelic Ireland.

A continuation of Irish 132, developing students' fluency in spoken and written Irish. As our knowledge of the language expands, we venture into storytelling, journal writing and writing and performing short skits. Internet, audio and video resources complement the study of grammar and select prose texts.

Geared to the interests and aptitudes of the participants, this course enhances students' confidence in using Irish as a medium of oral and written communication and introduces them to the Gaelic literary tradition.

Continuation of the fall term course.

An introduction to the language of the eighth and ninth centuries, with elementary readings in prose texts.

Further grammatical study, with continued reading of saga texts.

Readings in selected texts.

Readings in selected texts.

An introduction to Gaidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) as it is spoken and written today. This course surveys the grammar while also emphasizing practice in speaking the language. This class is highly participatory; students are encouraged to take part in a range of communicative activities which enhance oral/aural ability. Translation exercises develop skills in the written language. A range of audio/ audiovisual materials and online resources is used to support student learning.

Direct continuation of the fall term course Scottish Gaelic 130.

Introduction to the Welsh language as spoken and written today, designed for those with little or no prior knowledge of this vibrant Celtic language. Intensive conversation practice is provided, and students learn to write fluently. Internet, audio and video exercises using dialogue, music and film augment a contextualized grammatical survey, and use of authentic literary texts increases as the course progresses.

Direct continuation of Welsh 128, developing and deepening students' knowledge of, and skill in, the modern spoken and written language. By the end of the semester students will be able to converse, read and write in a number of registers of idiomatic Welsh (academic, literary, informal). Various media, featuring dialogue, music and film, augment the advanced grammatical survey. Central cultural and historical issues are discussed.

Introduction to the language and culture of medieval Wales, with particular attention to narrative prose literature and its Celtic, Welsh and Norman contexts. By the end of the term we will have read in the original one of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi and selections from other texts.

Continued readings in medieval Welsh prose and an introduction to Welsh poetry down to 1400. Continued study of grammar and practice in translation, as well as an introduction to the manuscript sources of the poetry and their cultural contexts, and the intricacies of medieval Welsh poetics.

An exploration of the enormous variety of medieval Welsh prose literature: selections from tales and romances, chronicles, laws, and lore.

Readings from the hengerdd, the beirdd y tywysogion and the beirdd yr uchelwyr; consideration of the social and political contexts of their poetry, its forms, and its relationship to other medieval European poetic traditions.