Module Identifier HYM9030  
Module Title COMPARATIVE HISTORIES OF CELTIC COUNTRIES  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Paul B O'Leary  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Martyn J Powell, Dr Michael F Roberts  
Co-Requisite HYM1030 , HYM0130  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   Introduction & 6 x 2 hour seminars, plus tutorials  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment 1 X ESSAY, 6,000 WORDS & 1 X 4,000 WORD UNASSESSED ESSAY  100%
Supplementary Assessment NEW ESSAYS ARE REQUIRED ON DIFFERENT TOPICS   

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to.
Identify the criteria used by historians for making valid comparisons between the histories of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant historiographies, their evolution and the key problems currently addressed by historians in this field.

Discuss with others the interpretative problems and prospects associated with this topic.

Illustrate, analyse and evaluate the historiography in an extended written discussion.

Brief description

This seminar series has been designed to allow students to study the histories of the major Celtic countries (Ireland, Scotland and Wales) in comparative perspective. It has two principal aims. The first concerns developing an understanding of the extent of common experiences between these countries and an appreciation of the particularity of individual histories. The second aim is to provide a series of alternative contexts for understanding such comparative dimensions, namely those of the British Isles, Europe and the transatlantic context.

Aims

This module equips students to compare the histories of the major Celtic countries (Ireland, Scotland and Wales) through an up-to-date appraisal of historical interpretations covering different periods in the past.

Content

Introduction:
1. challenges of comparative history
2. The British Isles context
3. The transatlantic context
4. The European context
5. Comparative problems in Irish and Scottish history
6. Comparative problems in Irish and Welsh history

Module Skills

Problem_solving Demonstrating an understanding of the nature of comparative history, and how this approach can be applied to the histories of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Assessed through the essays.  
Research skills Mainly concerns the location of secondary material. Assessed through the essays.  
Communication Seminar discussion and essay writing. The latter is formally assessed.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Seminar and tutorial discussion; tutors’ feedback.  
Team work Seminar work  
Information Technology Locating some journal articles electronically. Surveying the historiography of the subject using various search tools. Essay-writing and presentation  
Personal Development and Career planning Studying the module puts students in direct contact with librarians at the National Library and elsewhere in the course of researching essays and the development of the historiography  
Subject Specific Skills Develop a knowledge of, and familiarity with, the comparative approach to historical problems.  

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7