CE4596: CELTIC AND ANGLO-SAXON MANUSCRIPT-STUDIES (2016-2017)

A distinctive sub-Roman polymorphous script-form and mode of book-production was created in Celtic Britain and Ireland in the fifth or sixth century; this has long since been named 'Insular'. These forms gained remarkable European diffusion over succeeding centuries, being used at varying times as far afield as Italy and Scandinavia (and perhaps Ukraine!), particularly through the activities of English and Gaelic clergy. After about 1200, Insular script and book-production became purely Gaelic modes, albeit used for both vernacular and Latin writing. Printing in Irish extended over some four centuries from the later sixteenth century, in forms adapted from Insular script; this Gaelic type was used in Irish governmental publications from independence in 1921/2 until 1948, and 'Irish' (that is, Insular) script was taught in schools during the same period. In sum, this script-form had a life of about 1500 years and, at the height of its popularity, was a much more general European phenomenon. This course provides an in-depth introduction to Insular script and Insular book-production. The student will, from the start, work with examples of the script and learn to read, describe, date, and localise its various forms. The history of the Insular book is an essential component of any understanding of mediaeval Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cultures.

This course is available to students on all degree programmes (other than Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Studies) as a Discipline Breadth course for the enhanced study requirement. The course may not be taken as part of a graduating curriculum with its counterpart in the other Honours year.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

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1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (100%). The Level 4 examination will offer more complex questions than the Level 3 examination: in addition to specific questions on Insular script and manuscripts, Level 4 students will be asked to analyse, and to judge between, competing scholarly interpretations of Insular script and Insular book-production. In addition, the Level 4 course will offer more complex formative exercises than the Level 3 course. Resit: not available For level 4 students only: candidates achieving a CAS mark of 6-8 may be awarded compensatory level 1 credit. Candidates achieving a CAS mark of less than 6 will be required to submit an essay.

Students will complete numerous formative practical class-exercises. Discussion of students' progress will be provided in scheduled individual meetings and/or in the instructor's office hours.

Written assessments are given CAS marks, and written feedback is communicated to students using the School of Language and Literature essay cover sheets. Feedback will also be provided in scheduled individual meetings and/or in the instructor's office hours. Students are given weekly feedback in the form of advice delivered verbally in class, both to individuals and to the whole class.

None.