Celtic and French, MA (Hons)

Course summary

The relationship between Scotland and France, two nations with Celtic roots, stretches back many centuries.This joint honours programme gives you the opportunity to study the languages, literatures and cultures of the Celtic and French-speaking worlds, which today extend to countries in Europe, Africa and the Americas.Study with us and you will gain advanced language skills while learning about extraordinarily rich cultures, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. You will spend Year 3 either studying or working in a country where French is spoken.Our courses explore contemporary issues such as language policy and revitalisation, colonisation and decolonisation.CelticAt all levels of study on this four-year, joint honours programme, we offer courses in the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of the Celtic world.You have the option to study Scottish Gaelic and build up to advanced competency in the language.A choice of pathways through the programme enables you to develop your own interests in particular areas, periods and disciplines of Celtic studies.Our expertise covers:

• Scottish Gaelic from the late Middle Ages to the present, including language policy and revitalisation

• the medieval literary tradition in Early Irish and Medieval Welsh - the most extensive in the whole of Europe

• the rich oral tradition recorded from the 18th century to the present day

• poetry from the 18th century golden age of Gaelic literature

• 19th and 20th century responses to the rapid social, cultural, and linguistic changes in countries where the Celtic languages are spoken

• the writing, song, and media production emerging from the lively and varied contemporary cultural scene in Gaelic Scotland, Ireland, and Wales

Celtic language studyIf you choose to study Scottish Gaelic, it does not matter if you are a complete beginner; we stream our Year 1 classes to suit all levels of prior knowledge or none.You can also learn a medieval Celtic language at honours level (Years 3 and 4). Both Old Irish and Middle Welsh are available. For this path, you will study Celtic civilisation and literature in Years 1 and 2, with texts presented in English translation.FrenchAt Edinburgh, you will study the French language in the context of the diverse countries, cultures and societies in which it is spoken.Over the course of your four-year programme, you will have the opportunity to acquire near-native fluency in French while gaining the broad cultural education valued by graduate employers.We will introduce you to the extraordinary richness and variety of the French-speaking world through the study of:

• literature and cinema

• political history and social movements

• philosophical ideas

Our courses cover material from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century and include specialist options taught by leading experts in key disciplines, including post-colonial studies and gender studies.Why EdinburghAs a world-leading festival city, and Scotland's capital, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study Celtic alongside a global language in cultural context.We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.Our programme is extremely flexible. In Years 1 and 2, in addition to your core courses, you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines. You will then specialise as you progress through your honours years.When you graduate, you will have the combination of broad cultural education and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.

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