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

Academic Year 2024/2025

Early medieval 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 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 and what was its society like? 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 question myths of exceptionalism and insularity. It will challenge stereotypes while also introducing the rich material and written sources of early medieval Ireland.

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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) Introduction to early medieval Ireland
2) Frontiers and belief
3) Making Ireland Christian
4) Kingship and politics
5) Women in early Irish society
6) Ireland in early medieval Europe
7) The Viking arrival
8) Viking-Age Dublin
9) Insular cultural production
10) Ireland's political landscape by the 10th century

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

10
Specified Learning Activities

45
Autonomous Student Learning

45
Total

111
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is delivered through weekly large-group lectures and small-group seminars. The lectures provide guidance for weekly topics, introducing sources and debates. The small-group seminars complement these through small-group active learning and peer discussion, focused on primary sources and their interpretation.

Autonomous learning is encouraged through required preparatory reading each week, and a formative and summative written assignment. Research, writing and citation skills are incorporated into seminar work and are assessed in the module's written assignments. 
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
Participation in Learning Activities: Students will be graded on their participation in learning activities during seminars. This is not based on attendance but on active discussion and participation both individually and in group work. n/a Graded No

20
Assignment(Including Essay): The final assignment is an essay based on the second half of the module, including seminar readings. n/a Graded No

40
Assignment(Including Essay): The module has a mid-term assignment essay which is based on the first half of the module, including the seminar readings. n/a Graded No

40

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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.

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