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HIS41850

Academic Year 2024/2025

Approaches to the MiddleAges II (HIS41850)

Subject:
History
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Elva Johnston
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The purpose of this module is to introduce graduates to the rich literatures of medieval Ireland, their transmission and interpretation. It will use focused workshops and seminars to examine the sources, deepening our understanding of how texts are created, transmitted and interpreted by a variety of audiences. It will also examine scholarly approaches and historical debates, enabling the graduate to ground their own research in a practical way. The major themes of the module and its methodological approaches are designed to be applicable to medieval texts in general, with Ireland functioning as a case study.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module a student will have an understanding of:
• Early Irish sources, their audiences and transmission
• The first practical steps a scholar takes when approaching medieval textual sources
• The different methodologies and approaches practiced by scholars


Indicative Module Content:

1. Introducing early medieval Irish identities
2. Writing early Irish sources
3. Texts in transmission
4. Workshop - interrogating texts and transmission
5. Graduate-led presentations
6. Ireland in comparison
7. Methodological problems when investigating conversion
8. Ireland and the Irish as seen by others
9. Debate on Church organisation
10. Project preparation

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

212

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
These learning outcomes will be facilitated through seminars and workshops focused on the practical skills of source analysis. These will be underpinned by a critical engagement with major historical debates through seminar contribution and continuous assessment.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
HIS42070 - Early Medieval Ireland


 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: The module incorporates student-led presentations aimed at applying core skills to individual research projects. These will incorporate a post-presentation written report alongside the slides. Week 5, Week 6 Graded No

30

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Critically reviewing scholarly work is a core academic skill. This will be incorporated through a formal book review exercise Week 9 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): The final assignment is a summative 3000 word essay incorporating the main contents and themes of the module while using the skills of critical reading and analysis. Week 14 Graded No

50

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback will be provided after each component of the module. Advice will also be given on the final essay in its planning stages.

The focus of this module is on the creation, transmission and interpretation of medieval textual sources, with a particular focus on early Ireland.

Hughes, K. Early Christian Ireland: An Introduction to the Sources. London Hodder & Stoughton, 1972.
Ó Corráin, D. Clavis Litterarum Hibernensium: Medieval Irish Books and Texts (c. 400–c. 1600). Brepols: Turnhout, 2017.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Roy Flechner Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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