The Isle of Man: Language, Culture and History (U00153)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-3-U00153

The course charts the historical and social developments that affect the Isle of Man from early historic times to the present, with particular emphasis on the linguistic situation and its changes at various points during this period. This includes the evaluation of the island's position as a medieval power-centre in the Irish Sea and the subsequent developments that led to its relative cultural isolation from Gaelic Ireland and Scotland after it became a feudal fiefdom whose cultural and administrative orientation lay increasingly towards England. The cultural dominance of its larger neighhbour is also of significance in the modern period, as evidenced particularly in the acceleration of language decline in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. A key aspect of the course is the discussion of selected primary texts in translation that illustrate the historical and social environment at its key stages and in particular the impact of this environment on language and culture.

The course also offers scope for comparison with Gaelic Scotland, for instance in the genres of folktales and traditional songs. In addition, the course examines the recent upsurge of interest in the Manx language as well as the extent to which this is supported by educational and administrative frameworks.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Gaelic 1A or 1B and Gaelic 2A or 2B OR Celtic Civilisation 1 and Celtic Literature 2.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Celtic, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
14/09/2007	12:00	13:00			Leabharlann, 19 George Square

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The Intended Learing Outcomes are the development of a sound knowledge of the key developments in the spheres of language, culture, society and history during the period under consideration. There will be particular emphasis on the links that exist between language and identity, and on the ways in which external and internal forces impact on such links at different periods. This will include the application of a number of different interdiscipinary approaches in order to evaluate the types of evidence that need to be employed for a full understanding of the subject-matter of the course. The subject of language decline and revival in particular is currently a much-debated issue in other linguistic contexts and the Manx situation offers considerable scope for comparison, expecially in the field of language planning.
The course material will present some challenges to students as it will involve a variety of texts from different historical periods demanding different methodological and intellectual approaches but will build on and expand the skills generally stressed within Celtic and Scottish Studies.