Arthurian Studies – (M.A.)

Contents

The degree consists of two parts. Part One consists of six taught modules of 20 credits each, totalling 120 credits. Part Two consists of a dissertation, of not more than 20,000 words, worth 60 credits. Part One must be successfully completed before progressing to Part Two.

The six modules of Part One are to be taken from a number of possibilities (see below). MAAS0120, The Celtic Arthur, should be the first to be completed. This module, as well as MAAS0620, Study and Research Methodology, are compulsory, although the latter may be waived with the special permission of the programme director. A further 40 credits must be taken from the core MA Arthurian Studies modules (see below for a list). The final 40 credits can be taken as modules from other, broadly related, Lampeter Master´s degrees (in particular Celtic Studies, Celtic Christianity, and Church History). Up to 40 credits can be taken as language courses (Welsh or Latin).

MODE OF DELIVERY AND STUDENT SUPPORT:

The MA in Arthurian Studies is a distance-only degree, and therefore its modules are available only as teaching materials delivered at a distance, the method of delivery being primarily but by no means exclusively the internet.

The module materials consist of a course handbook containing lecture notes (including guidelines to specifically targeted relevant readings), bibliographies, one or more essay questions per unit, and photocopies of selected readings. The readings included are those which are most important, or most difficult to obtain-the student will be responsible for obtaining other relevant books and articles, usually through local university libraries. In cases of difficulty, the tutor will loan copies of selected readings.

Tutorial support is delivered primarily via e-mail. Those students without e-mail access confer with the tutors by post or by telephone, but are encouraged to use e-mail. In the future, optional residential study schools will be offered. The programme, however, is designed to be flexible, and to support students who do not or cannot take advantage of these schools, or who attend some but not all.

List of available modules (All modules are distance unless otherwise indicated)

1. Compulsory

* MAAS0620 Study and Research Methodology (distance version)
* MAAS0120: The Celtic Arthur: Arthur in Early Celtic History and
Tradition up to Geoffrey of Monmouth

2. Other core modules

* MAAS0220: The `Courts of Arthur´?: Arthur in the archaeological landscape
* MAAS0320: The Matter of Britain: Geoffrey of Monmouth and Pseudo- Historical Writing
* MENG9820: Malory and the Arthurian Tradition (also residential)

3. Other modules available

* MENG2620: Anglo-Saxon Heroic Literature I (also residential)
* MENG1729: Chaucer´s Comic Tales (residential only)
* MHIST1020: Gilbert of Sempringham and the Gilbertines (also residential)
* MHIST5020: The Cistercian World I (also residential)
* MHIST51220: The Cistercian World II (also residential-prerequisite is The Cistercian World I)
* MHIST1120: Thomas Becket (also residential)
* MHIST2320: Using Medieval Sources (residential only)
* MHIST0220: Women in Medieval England (also residential)
* MHIST1820: Medieval Manuscript Studies (residential only)
* (code TBA): Anglo-Saxon Heroic Literature II (residential only)
* (code TBA): Medieval Poetry of Dream and Debate (residential only)
* MACC0120: The Archaeology of the Celtic Churches
* MACC0420: The Desert in the Ocean: Eremitical Spirituality and the Celtic Monastic Tradition
* MACC0520: Celtic Hagiography and the Cults of Saints
* MTCH1320: Anglo-Saxon Christian Heroic Literature
* MAAC0620 Y Mabinogi
* MLAT0120: Beginners´ Latin

Residential courses:

* MAMS0140: The Cistercian Experience Annual Spring School (a week-long course spent on Caldey Island in the Spring subject to permission of MA in Monastic Studies programme director)
* MAMS0220: Early British Monasticism (same as above but a 20 credit version)