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  6. GH2514: INTRODUCTION TO SCOTTISH GAELIC LITERATURE

GH2514: INTRODUCTION TO SCOTTISH GAELIC LITERATURE (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

This survey course is an introduction to Scottish Gaelic literature from the 17th century to the modern day. Scottish Gaelic has one of Europe's oldest secular literatures and this is an exciting choice for anyone with an interest in Scotland's history, literature and culture: it is taught using translated texts and originals for those whose Gaelic language is good enough. Students will gain new perspectives on key areas of Scottish society such as Jacobitism, the Clearances, the Highland Land Wars, the Celtic Twilight Movement and the Gaelic renaissance in the modern period. ​This course is suitable for anyone in Programme Year 2 with an interest in Scottish society.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Old Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Michelle MacLeod

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Programme Level 2
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course is a comprehnsive survey of Scottish Gaelic literature in its social and historic context: the course will largely be taught through translation, although students who come to university with Gaelic will be expected to read texts in the original. This course ​considers major events in the history of Gaelic Scotland and looks at how the literature of that era can give us a better understanding of the people and events: we will consider poetry of the Jacobite era; the Clearances and the Highland Land Wars. We will also look at how ​the literatti reorganised themselves in the 20th century and attempted to create new ​literary modes including the novel, short story and drama. We will consider how the traditional bards continued to be important in their communities at the same time as some Gaelic poets became truly international. Writers likely to be studied include: Duncan Bàn MacIntyre, Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair (Alasdair MacDonald), Màiri Mhòr nan Oran (Mary MacPherson), ​Domhall Ruadh Chorùna (Donald MacDonald), Donald Sinclair, Sorley Maclean, Iain Crichton Smith, Christopher Whyte, Tormod A' Bhocsair (Norman Campbell). The course will conclude with an examination of the current publishing patterns in Scottish Gaelic literature.

Contact Teaching Time

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

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

  • 1500-word essay (50%)
  • 800-word comprehension (30%)
  • Presentation (20%)
Resit
  • Examination (100%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

Students will receive timely feedback to allow them sufficient time to improve their work.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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