Celtic Studies

A course in early (i.e. pre 12th-century) Irish saga literature in which a variety of texts, mainly from the Ulster, Mythological, and King cycles are read in translation and discussed in class. Sagas to be read include the tragic story of Deirdre’s love for Naoise, the story of Niall Frasach’s judgement regarding the lesbian mother of a "fatherless" child, and Sín’s cold-blooded determination to exact revenge on her "lover" for the slaughter of her family.

In this course, students study selected texts in translation representative of the earliest poetry of Ireland and Wales . They examine the context that gave rise to the earliest vernacular literature in Europe through a close reading of particular poems. The emphasis is on the salient themes that are readily identifiable in these texts such as love, loss, exile, longing, companionship, love of nature, and the onset of age.

The course is an introduction to early Irish society and culture. The period covered was one of great change for Irish society: the arrival of Christianity with a new language, the rise of new, forceful power groupings, and the opportunities and challenges posed by the intrusion of the Vikings. Underlying these transformations there was continuity and we examine the evidence for the survival of earlier belief, specifically in burial records and the role of women in the administration of associated rituals. We look at the institution of kingship, with rituals & taboos grounded in Paganism.  We consider the position of slaves in Irish society, their role in the running  the household, in labor, and intensive agricultural economy. Students engage with myth and saga literature of the time to deepen the their understanding of early Irish culture and society.

This course examines the emergence of the Celts in the earliest historical record. Students learn to outline the history of the Celtic peoples from the earliest evidence; describe the impact on early European history of the migration of Celtic speaking peoples; discuss how the Celts were viewed by Classical authors; and to show an understanding of the diverse range of sources for the period including archaeological, historical, and linguistic.