Spring 2021

CELTIC R1B 001 - LEC 001

Voices of the Celtic World

From Topographies to Tours: Travel Literature in Celtic Lands

Myriah Williams

Jan 19, 2021 - May 07, 2021

Tu, Th

11:00 am - 12:29 pm

Internet/Online

Class #:21724

Units: 4

Instruction Mode: Pending Review

Offered through Celtic Studies

Current Enrollment

Total Open Seats: 0

Enrolled: 17

Waitlisted: 0

Capacity: 17

Waitlist Max: 0

No Reserved Seats

Hours & Workload

3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 9 hours of outside work hours per week.

Other classes by Myriah Williams

CELTIC 86 001 001LEC

Reading and composition course based on works of Celtic writers both in English and in translations from Celtic languages. In addition to training in textual analysis and descriptive and argumentative writing, the courses will discuss the notion of Celtic "voices": distinctive modes of cultural expression chosen by important authors from a Celtic milieu. Readings will be chosen from a variety of modern Irish, Welsh, highland Scots, and Breton writers. R1A satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement, and R1B satisfies the second half.

Class Description

“I am aware that I shall describe some things that will seem to the reader to be either impossible or ridiculous,” wrote Gerald of Wales in his History and Topography of Ireland (trans. L. Thorpe 1982). Travel writing – whether accounts of pilgrimage, otherworldly voyages, or travel guides – opens windows on worlds to which the reader may never travel. This genre of literature is illuminating not only for the information it provides about the peoples and places described, but also for the information which may be gleaned about the writers themselves: their worldview, biases and beliefs. In this course, we will survey travel literature written by and about the Celtic-speaking peoples. This literature will span the medieval and the modern, the fantastic and the mundane. Through the eyes of strangers in strange lands, we will explore themes of identity, politics and religion. Students will learn to analyze these works critically, considering not just the texts themselves but the contexts in which they were produced. Training in textual analysis will be taught through the study of the works surveyed, while descriptive and argumentative writing will be developed alongside research skills. Texts: The following texts are available online via the UC Berkeley Library, but as access is limited to a certain number of readers at a time, purchasing your own copy is recommended. They can be purchased from AbeBooks.com, Amazon,com, and Biblio.com. Note: Do not purchase the Kindle eBook of The History and Topography of Ireland. This is not the translation assigned, is out of date, and is available elsewhere for free. Gerald of Wales, The History and Topography of Ireland, trans. J. J. O’Meara (London, 1982). ISBN-13: 9780140444230 Gerald of Wales, The Journey Through Wales and The Description of Wales, trans. L. Thorpe (London, 1978). ISBN-13: 9780140443394 Hacker, D. and N. Sommers, A Pocket Style Manual: 2016 MLA Update, 7th edition (2016). ISBN-13: 9781319083526 O’Meara, J. J., trans., The Voyage of Saint Brendan: Journey to the Promise Land (1981). ISBN-13: 9780851055046

Class Notes

Synchronous instruction. TIme conflicts are not allowed.

This course satisfies the second half or the “B” portion of the Reading and Composition requirement.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the “A” portion of the Reading & Composition requirement or its equivalent. Students may not enroll in nor attend R1B/R5B courses without completing this prerequisite.

Due to the high demand for R&C courses we monitor attendance very carefully. Attendance is mandatory the first two weeks of classes, this includes all enrolled and wait listed students. If you do not attend all classes the first two weeks you may be dropped. If you are attempting to add into this class during weeks 1 and 2 and did not attend the first day, you will be expected to attend all class meetings thereafter and, if space permits, you may be enrolled from the wait list. show less

Rules & Requirements

Requisites

Previously passed an R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Previously passed an articulated R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Score a 4 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature. Score a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition. Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English.