Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
WEM1320
Module Title
The Earliest Welsh Arthurian Sources and Texts
Academic Year
2015/2016
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 11 x 2 Hour Lectures
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Critical response to articles in the field of study  20%
Semester Assessment Essay (3000-3500 words)  40%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Arholiad / Exam  40%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

will have gained an understanding of the nature of the Earliest welsh Arthurian tradition.

will have been introduced to the debate as to the historicity of Arthur.

will have come to understand the key Latin sources and the major Welsh texts (some in translation, but a representative sample in the original) and will have studied their main literary, stylistic features and teir importance in the filed of Arthurian literature

will be able to evaluate the earliest Welsh texts on the background of the more familiar later Arthurian texts, heavily influenced by continental romance.

Brief description

Introduction to the texts as a whole and a study of some of the major works of scholarship in the field.

Content

1. Detailed study of the earliest Latin souces concerning arthur.
2. Discussion of Arthur as an historical figure [?]. and/or as a native Welsh/Britich fictitious figure.
3. The earliest Welsh souces about Arthur as part of the wider medieval Welsh tradition.
4. Discussion of the work of the major scholars in the field of the earliest Welsh Arthurian saga.
5. A close reading of two Welsh 'Arthurian' poems; discussion of manuscripts and background of the poems.
6. Introduction to a close study of the prose narrative 'Kulhwch ac Olwen' in particular the arthurian elements therein.
7. Evaluation of these texts to help 'recreate' the 'Arthur of the Welsh'.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication Textual discussion; discussion of scholarly materials in seminars.
Improving own Learning and Performance Through engagement with lecturer and with others in seminars; through feedback and discussion with lecturer.
Information Technology use of catalogues and assessment of web material.
Personal Development and Career planning personal advice on career goals offered on a one-to-one basis: not assessed
Problem solving Reading texts and interpreting them. 02
Research skills Assessing scholarship in the field; using libraries for printed and manuscript materials.
Subject Specific Skills Middle Welsh language; a basic knowledge of later continental Arthurian romance.
Team work some work to be tackled jointly: no formal assessment.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7