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CE4594: DANGEROUS LIAISONS: LOVE, SEX & ROMANCE IN CELTIC WEST & OLD NORTH (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04


Course Overview

The literature of the Celtic and Germanic Middle Ages is famous for tragic tales of forbidden love, and for the frankness with which its poetry approaches the subject of sexual attraction. This course will explore how the interwoven themes of love, sex and romance were dramatized in Celtic, Norse-Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon stories and poetry. Topics covered may include: the love-triangle, maiden-kings, cross-dressing, amorous trolls, the stepmother as temptress, elopements and abductions, otherworldly lovers, unrequited love.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Ralph J. O'connor

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Programme Level 4

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

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The literature of the Celtic and Germanic Middle Ages is famous for its tragic tales of ill-starred romance and forbidden love, as well as for the frankness and freshness with which its poetry explores the subject of sexual attraction. This course will explore how the interwoven themes of love, sex and romance were dramatized in Celtic, Norse and Anglo-Saxon stories and poetry. Topics covered may include: the love-triangle in Celtic and Norse narrative, maiden-kings and cross-dressing in Norse romance, amorous trolls, the stepmother as temptress, elopements, otherworldly lovers, lyrics of requited and unrequited love, and sexual humour. All these texts will be studied in English translation, and no prior knowledge is expected.


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

Final essay (4000 words): 80%

SAM: 20%, including 10% allocated to 'course journal' showing written responses in note form to specific discussion points each week

 

Resit (for students taking course in Academic Year 2020/21):  

Essay - 100%

Resit (for students who took the course in Academic Year 2019/20 and C8 students):

Essay - 100%

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand and appreciate a range of Celtic, Norse-Icelandic and Old English literary texts
FactualCreateWrite a coherent essay exploring a chosen topic within the course
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse the balance of different viewpoints and ideologies within individual texts
ConceptualAnalyseEngage in analytical comparison between different literary and linguistic zones and chronological periods
FactualUnderstandUnderstand how to read these texts in their historical and literary contexts

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