The Literature & History of Wales Degrees at Aberystwyth University

The Literature & History of Wales Degree - 3 year Degree (Q550)
with the Department of Welsh

The Literature & History of Wales Degree

This unique interdisciplinary degree is taught jointly by the Department of History and Welsh History and the Welsh Department. It is available only through the medium of Welsh. Wales has an immensely rich literary tradition stretching back to the middle of the first millennium, and literature has always played a central role in Welsh culture. This programme offers you the opportunity to understand the development of Welsh literary culture in historical context.

You will have the opportunity to study particular texts in depth as well as a chance to appreciate the broader historical perspective. You will explore the ways in which literary texts themselves can provide important and fascinating tools for understanding the past.

The university library has a first-rate collection of Celtic literature and historical works, while the National Library of Wales boasts unparalleled resources which include manuscript and documentary collections, specialized texts and works of reference. Aberystwyth is a major centre of Welsh and Celtic scholarship and the Department plays a prominent role in the development of historical studies in the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies.

As a student on the Literature and History of Wales degree scheme you will divide your time equally between the Department of History and Welsh History and the Welsh Department.

Both departments have ‘core’ modules that seek to ease the transition to undergraduate studies and provide an introduction to key skills and approaches. Otherwise, you will enjoy the opportunity to choose modules in both departments.

In History and Welsh History, these include:

• Cymru a’r Tuduriaid 1530-1603
• Cymdeithas a Diwylliant Cymru 1660-1800
• Trosedd, Terfysg a Moesoldeb 1750-1850
• Hunaniaethau Cenedlaethol yn Ynysoedd Prydain

In Welsh, these include:

• Barddoniaeth yr Ugeinfed Ganrif
• Pedair Cainc y Mabinogi
• Merched a Llenyddiaeth hyd c. 1500
• Rhyddiaith a Drama 1900-1990
• Y Gogynfeirdd

The Literature & History of Wales Degree Dissertation

Final year students will also have the opportunity to write a dissertation on a topic of your choice. Depending on where your particular interests lie, you can choose to write your dissertation with either department.