Undergraduate Course: Celt and Saxon: the British Isles 250-750 (SCHI10065)
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 | Archaeology |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The course examines key themes in the history of Britain and Ireland between the breakdown of Roman government and institutions in the 4th and 5th centuries AD and the beginning of the 'viking' period at the end of the 8th century. These themes include the origins of the Anglo-Saxons and key Insular kingdoms; the origins, spread and character of Christianity; the shape and character of society and its power dynamics; and links to mainland Europe. By shifting focus between different parts of northern Britain, southern Britain and Ireland the course aims to achieve a fair balance of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon perspectives on these themes and to encourage students to reflect in comparative ways on the material and topics under consideration. |
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, Personal Tutors 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 have at least 3 History courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. Applicants should note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission.
** as numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Office directly for admission to this course **
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| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course it is intended that students will be able to:
* demonstrate, by way of essay and examination, command of the body of historical knowledge considered in the course;
* demonstrate, by way of essay and examination, the ability to develop and sustain historical arguments, formulating appropriate questions and utilising evidence;
* demonstrate, by way of essay and examination, an ability to read, analyse and reflect critically and contextually upon historical texts from early medieval Britain and Ireland;
* demonstrate, by way of essay and examination, an ability to read, analyse and reflect critically and contextually upon relevant scholarship;
* demonstrate, by way of essay and examination, an appreciation of the complexity of reconstructing the early medieval past in Britain and Ireland, and the problematic and varied nature of their historical evidence;
* demonstrate an appreciation of the value and limits of 'national' and comparative perspectives on the Insular peoples in the early Middle Ages;
* demonstrate the following transferable skills: self-discipline; self-direction; independence of mind and initiative; ability to work with others and to respect their views; ability to gather, organise and deploy evidence and information relevant to a posed problem; critical consideration of evidence in order to arrive at sound conclusions solving complex problems; evaluating the work of others, including peers; structure, coherence, clarity and fluency of oral and written expression; independent management of personal timetable, workload and other priorities in order to meet established deadlines; intellectual integrity and maturity. |
Assessment Information
Students will submit an individual essay of 3000 words and sit a two-hour Degree Examination that may require comment on extracts from primary texts. The final mark will be composed of the essay mark, weighted at one-third of the final mark, and the exam mark, weighted at two-thirds of the final mark.
Visiting Student Variant Assessment
Students will submit an individual essay of 3000 words and complete a two-hour take-home Degree Examination that may require comment on extracts from primary texts. The final mark will be composed of the essay mark, weighted at one-third of the final mark, and the exam mark, weighted at two-thirds of the final mark. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
1. Late Roman Britain and the barbarians beyond
2. The origins of the English
3. The origins of kings and kingdoms: Dalriada, Mercia, Northumbria, Wessex and the Uí Néill
4. Conversion and the growth of the Church
5. Case studies in Insular society before the vikings 1: textual evidence
6. Case studies in Insular society before the vikings 2: material culture
7. Saints, saintly cults and relics
8. Kings, queens and secular power: textual and archaeological indicators
9. The achievements of Insular monastic scholarship
10. Bede, his works and his age
11. "At the ends of the earth"? Traders, raiders, missions and martyrs |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Celt Saxon |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr James Fraser
Tel: (0131 6)50 4034
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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