From Rulers to Rebels: Celtic societies, 1066-1603; the course traces the developments in the histories of Gaelic Scotland, Ireland and Wales from the period of Norman colonisations up to 1603. The common features and differing experiences of the three societies are examined through their cultures, institutions and literatures.

Lectures: Weekly on Monday and Tuesday at 4pm; Seminar; various times on Thursday as scheduled on MyCampus

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■ Weekly seminar posts, 10 x notional 15-word posts, 150+ words over 10 weeks (10%)

■ Document response exercise, end of week six - 500 words (15%)

■ Comparative essay, 2000 words (35%)

■ Final exam, 90 minutes, two questions (1 document analysis question, 1 essay), equally weighted (40%), notional 1500 words

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ survey the political and cultural changes in Wales, Ireland and Scotland from 1066 until the union of the Scottish and English crowns;

■ compare the effects of political conquest and cultural influence on the status and nature of the relevant Celtic languages during this period;

■ discuss texts and artistic products of this period, and examine them as a source for social and cultural change.

By the end of this course students will be able to

■ outline the histories of Wales, Ireland and Gaelic Scotland during the period 1066-1603

■ discuss cultural and social changes in relation to colonisation, conquest and 'Europeanisation' during this period

■ interrogate critically texts and artistic products of the period as witnesses to social and cultural change

■ examine in a comparative context the fates of the Celtic languages spoken in Wales, Ireland and Scotland during this period, and the reasons lying behind these circumstances

■ demonstrate these abilities through the writing of coherent, focused and structured essays.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.