old and middle irish,
and celtic studies

programmes

  
MA IN OLD AND MIDDLE IRISH

Course Overview

The MA in Old and Middle Irish aims to provide students with a thorough grounding in Irish language and literature of the period ca. 600— ca. 1200.   It is aimed at those who already have a good basic knowledge of Irish (Medieval or Modern), or another Celtic language, and, in exceptional cases, at those who have the appropriate background to undertake the study of Old and Middle Irish ab initio. The programme is offered on a full-time basis over a twelve-month period.  Students follow a prescribed taught course which runs from September to May approximately, following which they complete a dissertation of ca. 20,000 words. The combination of taught modules and dissertation-guidance in this MA programme provides students an excellent foundation for proceeding to higher research programmes (MLitt and PhD) in many fields of Irish-language and Celtic Studies, of the medieval, the early modern, and even the modern period. There is a substantial core of teaching: students attend ca. six lectures each week in both semesters.  Of the total of 90 credits (ECTS), 50 are allocated to taught modules, and the remaining 40 to the minor thesis.  The choice of taught modules is based on students’ prior knowledge of Old and Middle Irish language: those with little or know prior knowledge take SG510, SG511, and SG513, but not SG512; those who already have a good foundation in the language take SG512 and SG513, but not SG510 and SG511.  For all, there is a choice between SG514 and SG515.  Class sizes are small, and staff aim for a friendly and supportive environment.  Mlitt and PhD students from other fields of Medieval Studies often opt to take modules from the MA in Old and Middle Irish and, similarly, students of this MA are encouraged to avail of contacts with that broader academic community, and to attend occasional lectures and seminars in cognate fields.  Students acquire first-hand experience of various research methodologies in the course of writing their minor thesis.  Staff work closely with students to identify thesis-topics that may lend themselves to eventual publication or further development at PhD level.  While lectures for the MA are delivered through English (to accommodate students from different countries and backgrounds), the use of spoken Irish outside of lectures is positively encouraged and supported.  Written examinations and theses may be presented through Irish or English.  The commitment of NUI, Galway to maintaining a bilingual campus is of special benefit to all students of Irish, of whatever period. Minimum Entry Requirements NQAI Level 8 degree or equivalent, Second Class Honours or equivalent.  IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Graduates have found employment in Teaching and academic research, publishing, print and electronic media, culture and heritage industries. Online prospectus: http://www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/go4th/oldirish.html Apply online                           www.pac.ie/nuigalway PAC code                                GYA33 Assessment date                    28 May 2010 Duration                                 1 year, full-time Fee                                          ( Last year’s fee for information, marginal increase                                                 due this year)                                                 €6,015 (E.U.)   / €13,000 (non-E.U.) Programme director   An tOll. Máirín Ní Dhonnchadha                                                 T +353 91 493 010                                                 E mairin.nidhonnchadhanuigalway.ie                                                 W www.nuigalway.ie/oldirish/index.html

Course Outline This will outline what happens each year of the course.  It will include the course description, course content, and how a student will be assessed.

Module Code    Module                                              ECTS          Assessment SG510          Grammar of Old & Middle Irish I             10                Written exam, Semester 2 SG511          Grammar of Old and Middle Irish II        10               Written exam, Semester 2 SG512          Literary History 600-1200                       20               Essay(s), Semester 2 SG513          Readings in Medieval Irish                     20              Written exam, Semester 2 SG514          History, scholarship & culture in             10              Essay(s), Semester 2                          in medieval Ireland SG515          Comparative linguistics                          10              Written exam, Semester 2 SG516          Minor Thesis                                           40              Submission in late summer

Current Student testimonial This will be a quote from a current student about the course

Name : Marta Rydlinska What student is studying: MA In Old and Middle Irish Image (attach as jpg) Quote: “I came to study in Ireland from my native Poland because, since childhood, I have wanted to learn about the Celts and their history, especially those in Ireland.  First of all, I studied for a BA in Celtic Civilization and History here at the NUI, Galway.  Now I am taking the MA in Old and Middle Irish in order to increase my knowledge of this difficult medieval language as this will give me direct access to its written tradition, both the published and the unpublished texts.  I have a special interest in Early Irish law and, when I have finished my MA, I would hope to research some aspect of Early Irish law for my PhD.”

Past Student testimonial This will be a quote from a past student about what they are doing now and how the course helped them get there

Name: Trish Ní Mhaoileoin What student is studying: PhD in Old and Middle Irish Image (attach as jpg) Quote: “My journey to Old and Middle Irish was long and somewhat arduous, but ultimately fulfilling. Having acquired a BA in archaeology and Spanish from UCD, I continued to pursue an MA in archaeology, focusing on medieval rural settlements in south Leinster. Pursuing a career choice as an archaeologist proved to be untenable and I wandered for a few years until I decided to move to Galway from New Zealand where I had been living, to do the Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge in NUIG. Through the Dioplóma, I heard about the MA in Old and Middle Irish and thought that it would be a wonderful bridge between my interests in medieval Irish history and culture, and my burgeoning interest in the Irish language. The MA in Old and Middle Irish provided me with a thorough grounding in the literature of the early Irish period - from prose to poetry, from secular narrative to ecclesiastical and legal texts - and a solid language base from which to advance to research at PhD level. I am now in the early stages of my research on the multi-faceted legendary warrior figure, Fergus mac Róich.  My thesis will involve linguistic and editorial work (both on, and in, Irish), and critical, historical and comparative literary work.”

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