HIS21240 Celts, Romans and Vikings: The Formation of Early Ireland

Academic Year 2023/2024

Early Irish history is often thought of as a Celtic golden age of art and culture, brought to an end by Viking invaders. The reality was very different. Irish identities were formed by contacts with neighbours and newcomers, some peaceful and others violent.

This module will examine three core themes. Was Ireland Celtic? How did the Romans influence the peoples of Ireland, their religion and politics? What was the impact of the Vikings? How did they transform Ireland and what were their legacies? The module will offer a fresh way of thinking of the Irish past and will challenge myths of exceptionalism and insularity.

Please note that the current plan is to give this module in-person, depending upon public health guidelines.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module students should be able to: a) critically examine Celtic influences in Ireland, b) understand the impact of the Roman frontier, c) analyse conversion to Christianity at a formative phase of Irish history, d) have acquired historical and methodological frameworks in order to analyse the organisation of Irish society and e) have acquired an understanding of the impact of the Vikings on early medieval Irish culture and society. These learning outcomes will be underpinned by an active student-centred engagement with primary sources, facilitated though seminar contribution.

Indicative Module Content:

The following core topics will form the bulk of this module:

1) Ireland and the Celts - evidence and influence
2) The impact of the Roman frontier
3) Pagan Irish society
4) Conversion to Christianity
5) The Irish 'Golden Age'
6) Early Irish life and society
7) The Vikings in Ireland: invaders and/or traders?
8) Hiberno-Viking society
9) Hiberno-Viking politics
10) The emergence of Irish identities

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

45
Autonomous Student Learning

45
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

11
Total

112
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is a survey course which is delivered through lectures and seminars. The seminars, in particular, are geared towards small-group learning. So, even in a larger-group lecture the individual student is still the centre of the learning experience. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: End of Trimester Essay Week 12 n/a Graded No

50
Continuous Assessment: Glossary Part I (focused on learning the terms needed for the module) Week 3 n/a Graded No

10
Essay: Mid-semester assignment Week 6 n/a Graded No

30
Continuous Assessment: Glossary Part II Week 8 n/a Graded No

10

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be made through two main methods - individual meetings with students (by video link, face-to-face or email) to help plan progress as well as written feedback on specific assignments.

The following books are important reading for this module. A fuller bibliography will accompany the module handbook.

Brink, S., The Viking World (London 2012)
Ó Cróinín, D., Early Medieval Ireland 400–1200 (London, 2nd edn 2016).
Downham, Clare, Medieval Ireland (Cambridge 2017)

Name Role
Nathan Millin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Thomas Tormey Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Seminar Offering 3 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Seminar Offering 4 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Seminar Offering 5 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Seminar Offering 7 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Seminar Offering 10 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Spring