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School of Literatures, Languages & CulturesCeltic & Scottish StudiesCeltic/Gaelic Courses |
CELTIC/GAELIC COURSES (1ST-/2ND- YEAR)
1st-Year Courses
2nd-Year Courses
Introduction
Students may study Celtic or Gaelic for one, two, three or four years, and may do so as part of a wide variety of degrees, or as an 'outside subject'. Seminars and tutorials are the main modes of teaching - lectures are generally used only in Gaelic 1A, Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture, Celtic Civilisation and Celtic Literature. All other classes are taught in small groups of (usually) no more than 12 students. Assessment in the first two years is by a combination of course work and a Degree Examination at the end of each course (Gaelic courses also have class examinations at the end of the first semester).
There are three first-year courses in Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic 1A and Gaelic 1B, which run over both semesters, and Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture, which is a one-semester course taught in the first semester. Gaelic 1A seeks to give students with no previous knowledge of Scottish Gaelic a thorough grounding in written and spoken Scottish Gaelic and is intended primarily for students intending to continue their study of Gaelic beyond the first year (including those enrolled for the MA in Celtic). The work of the class consists of grammar workshops, language practical classes, reading classes and conversation classes. In the second semester, students are introduced to a set of graded reading texts in Gaelic. Written work includes a series of weekly language exercises handed in throughout the year, and a number of short Gaelic compositions. The qualification for entry to Gaelic 1A is normally a pass at Higher or A-level in a language other than English, or equivalent evidence of linguistic proficiency. The course is not open to students qualified to take Gaelic 1B.
There are three first-year courses in Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic 1A and Gaelic 1B, which run over both semesters, and Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture, which is a one-semester course. Gaelic 1B is designed for students with a pass in Higher Gàidhlig or Gaelic (or equivalent qualification). The aims of Gaelic 1B are:
1. to extend students' experience in and understanding of Scottish Gaelic literature of the last three centuries, and to develop a general familiarity with the culture and literature of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, through reading and discussion of Gaelic prose and verse texts, thus introducing students at first-hand to the works of some of the most important Gaelic poets, and to a wide variety of Gaelic prose styles; and
2. to increase familiarity with, and powers of expression in, Scottish Gaelic by means of regular language work, thus leading students towards a sound competence in speaking, reading and writing Scottish Gaelic.
Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture
Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture is a one-semester introduction to Gaelic language, literature and culture, taught in the first semester. The course is designed for students who wish to acquire a basic knowledge of the Scottish Gaelic language and its cultural context. It is suitable as an 'outside subject' or as a subject for visiting students, but it does not allow for progression to second-year Gaelic courses. The course is not open to students qualified to take Gaelic 1B or to students enrolled in Gaelic 1A.
There are 2 semester-long survey courses in Celtic Civilisation, each of which is a self-contained module. Celtic Civilisation 1A (first semester) covers the origins and development of the idea of Celticness as an element of modern identity, and the changing ideas about the link between the Celtic languages and Celticness. Celtic Civilisation 1B (second semester) covers the Celtic early Middle Ages (roughly AD 400-1000), which saw the transformation of society, religion, learning and politics in Britain and Ireland. Both courses seek to place the Celtic languages of the past and present into wider historical and contemporary context, to consider the impact of modern Celticness on how the past has been understood, and to provide introductions to Celtic Studies in the medieval and modern periods. The approach is interdisciplinary: the lecturing teams include experts in archaeology, history, linguistics, literature and social science. Lectures are backed up by tutorials and WebCT. There are no formal requirements or special linguistic skills needed for entry to these courses; they are self-contained, and neither is a pre-requisite for the other.
Celtic Civilisation 1A Course Description
Celtic Civilisation 1B Course Description
There are two separate second-year full-year courses in Scottish Gaelic. Gaelic 2A aims to build on the work of Gaelic 1A, and to prepare students for Celtic Honours work, by
A pass at 50% or above in the Degree Examination in Gaelic 1A is required for entry to Gaelic 2A. Students intending to progress to the MA (Hons) in Celtic, and to complete the Modern Gaelic Studies curriculum, should enrol in Gaelic 2B rather than Gaelic 2A.
There are two separate second-year full-year courses in Scottish Gaelic. Gaelic 2B seeks
The course includes lectures, tutorials, text-study classes, and language practicals. The workload includes textual preparation, essays, and language work. A pass at 50% or above in the Degree Examination in Gaelic 1A or in Gaelic 1B is required for entry to Gaelic 2B. Students intending to progress to the MA (Hons) in Celtic, and to complete the Modern Gaelic Studies curriculum, should enrol in Gaelic 2B rather than Gaelic 2A.
There are two one-semester courses in Celtic Literature, running consecutively. Celtic Literature 2A (first semester) deals with medieval Irish and Welsh literature. Celtic Literature 2B (second semester) deals with Scottish Gaelic and Irish literature from the 17th century to the present. Literature is presented in English translation. Both courses aim to provide an overview of key literary genres and texts from Gaelic Scotland, Ireland and Wales from the early medieval period to the present. There are no formal requirements or special linguistic skills needed for entry to this course.
Celtic Literature 2A Course Description
Celtic Literature 2B Course Description