MA in Celtic Studies

Module Descriptor - The Cult of the Virgin Mary in the Celtic Regions

Department: Welsh
Module Code: MAAC0320
Level: postgraduate
No of Credits: 20
Methods of assessment: one essay (of approximately 5,000 words)
Teaching Method(s):distance learning (web-based course), email tutorials and directed learning
Pre-requisite(s): none
Co-requisite(s): none
Incompatibles: none
Medium: Taught through the medium of English or Welsh
Contact hours : n/a
Term taught: Flexible enrolment
Lecturers: Dr Jane Cartwright

Syllabus:

Following a brief introduction to the history and development of the cult of the Virgin Mary in the east, this course traces the growth of devotion to the Blessed Virgin in the Celtic regions. Drawing on a wide body of sources including early and medieval calendars, shrines, holy wells, church dedications, literary and historical sources, the course discusses a variety of representations of the Virgin Mary from Ireland , Wales , Cornwall , Scotland and Brittany . The central focus, however, will be on medieval sources, with Wales forming the primary case study. Students will be introduced to a selection of Marian texts from the Celtic regions, for example vernacular translations of the apocryphal gospels of Mary, the miracles of the Blessed Virgin, native poetry, prayers and hymns. Several key shrines and pilgrimage sites will be explored and students will be encouraged to carry out their own fieldwork and research in their chosen area. The course will be illustrated throughout with a series of photographs taken by Dr Jane Cartwright and will include images of stained glass, medieval manuscripts, wall paintings, carvings, rood figures, seals, shrines and holy wells. The iconography of the Virgin Mary, as well as her role in Celtic folklore and popular devotion will also be considered.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students will be expected to

• briefly trace the history and development of the cult of the Virgin Mary and discuss the significance of the growth of her popularity in the Celtic regions;
• outline the principal theological doctrines and beliefs relating to Mary;
• critically analyse a selection of Marian texts from the Celtic regions and place these texts in their wider historical and literary frameworks;
• demonstrate a familiarity with many of the popular legends, shrines, holy wells and pilgrimage sites associated with Mary in the Celtic regions;
• discuss and interpret the imagery and iconography associated with Marian devotion.

Transferable and other skills involved:

This module should enable students to:

• absorb information from primary and secondary sources;
• assess that information with critical awareness and evaluate differing interpretations;
• demonstrate enhanced historical knowledge, reading strategies and interpretive skills;
• acquire effective note-taking skills;
• provide structured and coherent written responses to the problems with which they are confronted.

Select bibliography:

• Breeze, Andrew, ‘The Virgin's tears of blood', Celtica 20 (1988), 110-22.
• Breeze, Andrew, ‘The Virgin's rosary and St Michael's Scales', Studia Celtica 24 (1989-90), 91-98.
• Breeze, Andrew, ‘Two bardic themes: the Trinity in the blessed Virgin's womb', Celtica 22 (1991), 1-15.
• Boss, Sarah Jane, Mary: New Century Theology ( New York and London , 2004).
• Carroll, J., Miraculous Images of Our Lady (Rockford, Illinois, 1993).
• Cartwright, Jane, Y Forwyn Fair, Santesau a Lleianod: Agweddau ar Wyryfdod a Diweirdeb yng Nghymru'r Oesoedd Canol ( Cardiff , 1999).
• Cartwright, Jane, Feminine Sanctity and Spirituality in Medieval Wales ( Cardiff , forthcoming).
• Gillett, H. M., Shrines of Our Lady in England and Wales ( London , 1957).
• Graef, Hilda, Mary: A History of Doctrine and Devotion , 2 vols ( London , 1963).
• Maunder, Chris, ‘Apparitions of Mary in late twentieth-century Ireland : visions and reflections', Maria : A Journal of Marian Studies 1 (2000), 69-85.
• O'Carroll, M., Theotokos: A Theological Encyclopaedia of the Blessed Virgin Mary ( Wilmington , 1983).
• O'Dwyer, Peter, Mary: A History of Devotion in Ireland ( Dublin , 1988).
• O'Loughlin, T., ‘The cult of Mary within the structures of human time: A reading of some early mediaeval Irish martyrologies', Maria: A Journal of Marian Studies 3 (2003), 135-69.
• Quiller-Couch, M. and L., Ancient and Holy Wells of Cornwall ( London, 1894).
• Warner, Marina , Alone of All Her Sex: The Myth and the Cult of the Virgin Mary ( London , 1978).

Evaluation:

Module evaluation questionnaires are distributed to students towards the end of the course. The curriculum is also discussed at termly meetings of the Staff-Student Consultative Committee and e-learning students are invited to submit comments to the Director of E-learning via e-mail prior to the meetings. The course is also subject to annual reports by the External Examiner and periodic review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.