Undergraduate Course: Saints and Sea-Kings: early medieval Gaelic Scotland, 563-761 (SCHI10069)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Scottish History |
Other subject area | Celtic |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course takes a close look at the political and social history of the Gaelic-speaking peoples of Scotland from the foundation of the monastery of Iona by St Columba in 563 until the conquest of the kingdom of Dál Riata by Pictish forces led by Onuist son of Vurguist (728-61). Understood since the Middle Ages as the founders of the Scottish nation, these earliest 'Scots' thrived in Atlantic Scotland and north-east Ireland in the seventh century, forging one of the best evidenced Gaelic kingdoms of the early Middle Ages. Relying in particular on the 'Life of St Columba', as well as other primary materials provided to students in translation via a sourcebook, the course looks at the origins and development of this realm and its Church, its material culture, its internal political and social structures, and its decline in the crisis period of the early eighth century. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | A pass or passes in 40 credits of first level historical courses or equivalent (including Celtic Civilisation 1B) and a pass or passes in 40 credits of second level historical courses or equivalent (including Celtic Literature 2A).
Before enrolling students on this course, Directors are asked to contact the History Honours Admission Secretary to ensure that a place is available (Tel: 503783). |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 3 History courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, it is intended that students will be able to:
o demonstrate command of the body of historical knowledge under consideration in written work and seminar contributions
o develop and sustain relevant historical arguments in written and oral form as demonstrated in written work and seminar contributions
o apply successfully the professional skills of analysing critically historical texts (broadly defined) of early medieval date (including use of original languages where students possess them) and associated modern scholarship, in particular in the source assignment
o refine the transferable skills attendant on historical studies they cultivated at SCQF Level 8 (see below) |
Assessment Information
o two-hour Degree Examination (50% of final mark)
o individual Essay of 2500 words (30% of final mark)
o individual Source Analysis/Commentary (15% of final mark)
o contributions to seminar discussion (5% of final mark)
The Source Analysis/Commentary exercise will involve students in adding analytical comments and supplementary references to a text or extract provided by the Tutor. Supplementary guidance for students with original languages will be made available in connection with this assignment. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
In particular self-discipline, initiative, ability to work respectfully with others, time- and workload-management, intellectual integrity and autonomy, and effective oral and written expression. |
| Reading list |
Introductory Bibliography:
L. Alcock, Kings and Warriors, Craftsmen and Priests in Northern Britain AD 550-850 (Edinburgh, 2003)
J. Bannerman, Studies in the History of Dalriada (Edinburgh and London, 1974)
E. Campbell, Saints and Sea-Kings: the first kingdom of the Scots (Edinburgh, 1999)
I. Fisher, Early Medieval Sculpture in the West Highlands and Islands (Edinburgh, 2001)
J. E. Fraser, From Caledonia to Pictland: Scotland to 795 (Edinburgh, 2009)
K. Hughes, Early Christian Ireland: introduction to the sources (London & Southampton, 1972)
N. T. Patterson, Cattle-Lords and Clansmen: the social structure of early Ireland (Notre Dame and London, 1994) |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr James Fraser
Tel: (0131 6)50 3624
Email: james.e.fraser@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Clare Guymer
Tel: (0131 6)50 4030
Email: clare.guymer@ed.ac.uk |
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