131-268 Pagans, Christians, Goddesses and Kings in Celtic Ireland

Note

Available as 131-368 at 3rd-year level.

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Subject Description

A study of the earliest evidence, both material and textual, reflecting the complex interaction of pagan past and Christian present in Ireland in the period between the coming of Christianity (5th century) and the Anglo-Norman invasion (late 12th). The subject concentrates especially on the saga literature and the important themes of Kingship, Sovereignty, Goddess archetypes, 'symbolic geography' and tribal identity. It also includes a brief glimpse of Celtic Scotland and the fate of Irish Gaelic culture in the colonial period. It looks at images of the past as political propaganda during the early Christian period itself and concludes briefly with a look at the way in which this relates to modern Irish historical debates.

Assessment

Research essay 2000 words (40%), reflective essay 2000 words (40%), written class paper and oral presentation (20%).