Course content

Year 1

1. Core modules

All students are required to take the following modules:

• Medieval Latin (at either Elementary or Intermediate level) (all year, ECTS 20)
  No previous knowledge of Latin is required. Courses range from beginners to advanced.
  
  
• Sources & Resources: Palaeography and Diplomatic 1 (all year, ECTS 10)
  This three semester module, taken over Years 1 & 2, provides students with foundational knowledge concerning source materials. Largely devoted to palaeography (the study of writing and manuscripts), it also treats topics such as epigraphy, diplomatics (the study of official documents), philology & linguistic theory, heraldry, and presentation skills.
  
  

2. Additional language

Students choose one language in addition to Latin to study for Year 1. Languages available will vary from year to year.

• Old & Middle Irish (all year, ECTS 10 or 20)
• Old and Middle Welsh (all year, ECTS 10)
• Old and Middle English (all year, ECTS 10)
• Medieval & Middle French (all year, ECTS 10)
• Old & Middle High German (all year, ECTS 10)
• Old Norse/Icelandic (all year, ECTS 10)
• Medieval Italian (all year, ECTS 10)

3. Other module options

In addition, most students will take two modules under the headings listed below.  The precise topics covered under the headings will vary from semester to semester & year to year.

• Aspects of Late Antiquity 1 or 2 (semester 1 or 2, ECTS 5 per semester)
• Aspects of Medieval Archaeology 1 or 2 (semester 1 or 2, ECTS 5 per semester)
• Aspects of Medieval History 1 or 2 (semester 1 or 2, ECTS 5 per semester)
• Aspects of Medieval Literature 1 or 2 (semester 1 or 2, ECTS 5 per semester)
• Sources of Early Irish History (ECTS 5)

Year 2

Semester 1

1. Core modules

Student must take the following modules, which will be examined at the end of Semester 1:

• Medieval Latin (at either Intermediate or Advanced level) (semester 1, ECTS 10)
• Sources & Resources: Palaeography and Diplomatic 2 (semester 1, ECTS 5)
• Supervised Reading and Research (semester 1, ECTS 10)

2. Other module options

Students also choose one of the modules below (students may not repeat modules taken in Year 1). The precise topics covered under the headings will vary from semester to semester & year to year..

• Aspects of Late Antiquity 1 (semester 1, ECTS 5)
• Aspects of Medieval Archaeology 1 (semester 1, ECTS 5)
• Aspects of Medieval History 1 (semester 1, ECTS 5)
• Aspects of Medieval Literature 1 (semester 1, ECTS 5)

Semester 2

• Dissertation (semester 2, ECTS 30)
  Under the guidance of a member of academic staff & with the agreement of the Programme Director, students propose a research topic early in Semester 1, present the topic early in Semester 2, and complete their 15,000-word dissertation by University’s Summer submission date (usually in late June or early July).
  

Assessment

Each module, with the exception of the minor dissertation, is assessed either by internally-organised examination or by essay and appropriate coursework. Year-long modules are examined at the end of Semester 2. Other modules are examined at the end of the semester in which they are taken.

Standards: Students must obtain 40% on all core and elective language modules taken in Year 1, and must obtain an aggregate of 40% overall in order to proceed to Year 2 of the programme. Where the student has failed the examination overall, the mark in modules in which at least grade D has been obtained will be carried forward to all subsequent examinations. Students will not be permitted to retake modules previously passed.

The MA in Medieval Studies will be awarded to students who have successfully completed all taught modules, with at least 40% in all core and elective modules and at least 40% aggregate over the 2 years, and who have received a minimum of 40% on their dissertation.

Pass: 40%
2nd class honours: 60%
1st class honours: 70%

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