Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:07
This course explores how the Scottish Gaels have proclaimed their world view through song and verse: sometimes using the styles and techniques of learned bards and often through song passed down orally among the generations. It will demonstrate the deep association with place and the determination across the centuries to preserve Gaelic language and culture often in the face of extreme adversity. No knowledge of the Gaelic language is required to undertake the course.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Gaelic has been spoken in Scotland since the 6th century: once the language of the court and professional poets and historians, it has been in decline the since the 12th century. This course explores how the Scottish Gaels have continued to proclaim their world view through song and verse in spite of adversity: sometimes using the styles and techniques of earlier learned bards and often through song passed down orally among the generations.
Recent years have witnessed growth in interest in Gaelic language and culture nationally and internationally. Reasons for this increase in awareness may come from the success of tv and novel series Outlander; the popularity of Celtic and Gaelic folk music or the increase in policy and legislative commitments to promote Gaelic in Scotland.
This course will consider how important historical events which have impacted the lives of Gaels have been recorded in song. It will demonstrate the deep association with place and the determination across the centuries to preserve Gaelic language and culture often in the face of extreme adversity. While the course focusses on the Gael’s perspective, content demonstrates wider contemporary engagement with national and international events.
The course will be built around prerecorded mini-lectures and set times will be established online for virtual discussions. A discography will be provided to listen to songs and texts will be made available in translation, as well as in Gaelic. No knowledge of the Gaelic language is required to undertake the course.
An optional online song workshop for those interested in learning a Gaelic song or two will be offered.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 35 | Feedback Weeks | 37 | |
| Feedback |
Length: 10 minutes Written feedback with option of individual follow-up. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key analytical frameworks and their application to selected social and literary contexts |
| Conceptual | Understand | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and issues in the field of Gaelic and Scottish studies |
| Factual | Analyse | You will demonstrate an ability to show how songs add to our wider understanding of the cultural context of Scotland |
| Procedural | Apply | You will apply critical reading skills to various theoretical and cultural texts |
| Procedural | Create | You will be able to present your understanding synthesising written and song sources. |
| Procedural | Create | You will be able to articulate your views in writing using a range of primary and secondary sources |
| Procedural | Evaluate | You will be able to select, evaluate and categorise primary and secondary material relating to song in Gaelic Scotland |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 40 | Feedback Weeks | 42 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback with option of individual follow-up. |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key analytical frameworks and their application to selected social and literary contexts |
| Conceptual | Understand | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and issues in the field of Gaelic and Scottish studies |
| Factual | Analyse | You will demonstrate an ability to show how songs add to our wider understanding of the cultural context of Scotland |
| Procedural | Apply | You will apply critical reading skills to various theoretical and cultural texts |
| Procedural | Create | You will be able to present your understanding synthesising written and song sources. |
| Procedural | Create | You will be able to articulate your views in writing using a range of primary and secondary sources |
| Procedural | Evaluate | You will be able to select, evaluate and categorise primary and secondary material relating to song in Gaelic Scotland |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 31 | Feedback Weeks | 33 | |
| Feedback |
Using Archive Worksheets (provided) students will be asked to identify 3 types of song in the online Tobar an Dualchais database, and extract relevant information (such as title, genre, context, background, content, themes, classification, locator/ID, sources, comparisons, etc). Written feedback provided. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key analytical frameworks and their application to selected social and literary contexts |
| Conceptual | Understand | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and issues in the field of Gaelic and Scottish studies |
| Factual | Analyse | You will demonstrate an ability to show how songs add to our wider understanding of the cultural context of Scotland |
| Procedural | Create | You will be able to present your understanding synthesising written and song sources. |
| Procedural | Create | You will be able to articulate your views in writing using a range of primary and secondary sources |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 50 | Feedback Weeks | 52 | |
| Feedback |
Students only need to resit only if they have failed the course overall. Feedback will be provided electronically |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | You will apply critical reading skills to various theoretical and cultural texts |
| Procedural | Evaluate | You will be able to select, evaluate and categorise primary and secondary material relating to song in Gaelic Scotland |
| Factual | Analyse | You will demonstrate an ability to show how songs add to our wider understanding of the cultural context of Scotland |
| Procedural | Create | You will be able to articulate your views in writing using a range of primary and secondary sources |
| Procedural | Create | You will be able to present your understanding synthesising written and song sources. |
| Conceptual | Understand | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and issues in the field of Gaelic and Scottish studies |
| Conceptual | Apply | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key analytical frameworks and their application to selected social and literary contexts |
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