REL 250 History of Religion in Ireland: Ancient to Early Medieval

Syllabus

2008 Summer Session I: MTWR 11:10am-1:40pm

Instructor: Professor Elizabeth Ursic

Required Text:

The Tain: From the Irish Epic "Tain Bo Cuailnge". (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000)
Author/Translator: Thomas Kinsella

A History of the Irish Church: 400-700ad. (Dublin: Columba Press, 2001)
Author: John Walsh and Thomas Bradley

Celtic Gods and Heroes. (New York: Dover Press, 2000)
Author: Marie-Louise Sjoestedt

Recommended Text:

Title: How the Irish Saved Civilization. (New York: Doubleday Press, 1995.)

Updated 2nd Edition. Author: Thomas Cahill

Course Objectives: This course is designed as a survey of the history of religion in Ireland. Besides learning about the divinities and ritual practices of the Irish people from the Neolithic to the early Modern Period, we will focus on the historical and cultural development that provides the necessary background to understanding the complex religious history of Ireland. At the end of the course students should be able to: 1) Identify the major religious themes of pre-Celtic Irish culture; 2) explain the difficulties associated with identifying the Celtic Culture; 3) Identify the major deities and ritual practices of pre-Christian Celtic religion in Ireland; 4) Describe and critically evaluate the role of Irish Christianity in early Medieval Europe; 5) Explain the relationship between the Anglo/Norman invasion of Britton and Ireland and the development of Medieval Christianity in Ireland; 6) Explain the causes of the Protestant Reformation; 7) Describe the impact of the Protestant Reformation on Irish Religion and Culture; 8) Explain the role of mythology in the "Celtic Revival"; 9) Explain the relationship between the socio-economic environment and the development of religion in Ireland; 10) Explain the causes of religious transformation and syncretism in Ireland.

Grading Points

Midterm/ Final (20 points each) 40

3 Papers (10 points each) 30

Presentation 5

Homework/ Attendance 15

Participation 10

100 points

Final grade points: A 90 - 100 Excellent ; B 80 - 90 Above Average; C 70 – 80 Average; D 60-70 Minimal Passing; F 0-59 Failure; I Incomplete; W withdraw passing; Y withdraw failing

Quizes: 3 short answer quizes will be given and are non-cumulative

Homework: On the dates indicated, please write out answers for the questions listed. You will not turn in this homework for grading, but the grade sheet will note that you prepared for the class.

Presentation: Each student will give a 5 minute presentation on the topic: “Before I came to Ireland, I never knew about _____.” This can be Irish music, art, literature, food, politics, cultural practice, etc… While it would be interesting if it tied into religion in Ireland, it is not a requirement.

Papers: You will write 3 short 3 page reflection papers. Basic grammar and writing organization are assumed for written work. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated.

Paper #1: Introduction Paper

Provide a short biography of your background: personal, professional, religious (optional), travel

-1. Why did you want to come to Ireland?

-2. What are you hoping to learn about in Ireland?

-3. What are you hoping to experience personally in Ireland?

Paper #2: Community Interview Paper

Conduct 1-3 short interviews with people in Athlone. Tell them you are taking a class in the History of Ancient Irish Religion, and as a class assignment you would like their opinion on three questions to see how relevant ancient Irish culture is to their lives:

-1. Do you know anything about ancient Irish culture?

If so, what do you find most interesting about it?

-2. Does the ancient culture touch your life?

-3. What do you love most about being Irish?

-4. What one thing do you think visitors should understand about Irish culture?

When you write up the interviews, describe the person/people, where the interview took place and how you met them.

Paper #3: Personal Reflection Paper

Using your first paper as a guide, reflect on your experience in Ireland:

-1. What do you see now as the most important reason for coming to Ireland this summer?

Has this changed from your first paper?

-2. What did you learn about Ireland that made the most impact on you? Provide one story.

-3. Did you get the experience you personally wanted on this trip? Provide one story.

-4. What did you learn about yourself on this trip?

-5. What effect (if any) do you think this trip will have when you return to your life in the US?

No cover page

3 pages typed

1” margins, 12 point Times Roman font, double spaced

Course Requirements:

The Basics: Regular attendance; completion of readings before the class date; informed participation in class discussions. Attendance: You are allowed one unexcused absence for this class; additional unexcused absences will lower your final grade by one point for each class missed. Also, please let me know as soon as possible if accommodations are required for special needs due to disability of any sort. This syllabus is a contract between the student and the professor, and students are responsible for adhering to the policies in the syllabus, as well as the MCC Catalog and Student Handbook.

Tolerance: The key to a great Religion Studies class is that you seek to understand viewpoints different from your own. Respecting others and what they have to say is a valuable life skill, and is essential for religious studies. This does not mean you accept everything you hear. Discernment, critical thinking and claiming personal viewpoint are essential to study and life. In addition to listening respectfully, you are also asked to present your own perspectives and comments in ways others can hear, as to enhance the religious dialog.

Final Grades: Final grades will not be issued until clean room check has been verified.

Statement on Plagiarism/Academic Misconduct – Due to the proliferation of academic material available on the internet, plagiarism is on the rise in American academic institutions. Plagiarism is the use of two or more consecutive words from someone else’s written work without proper citation, or passing off someone else’s words as your own. Plagiarism includes paraphrasing someone else’s work without giving proper citation of the source material. Plagiarism is theft of intellectual property and WILL NOT BE TOLLERATED.

Academic misconduct is a more general term for cheating of any variety. Obviously, the assignments you turn in and the examinations you take should reflect YOUR OWN work, and any attempt to circumvent this process is harmful. Therefore, any plagiarized, or otherwise academically inappropriate assignment, will receive an automatic 0 (or F), and the assignment cannot be made up or replaced. If two or more assignments are plagiarized or the product of academic misconduct in the course of a semester, the offending student may receive an automatic F for the course.

Student Responsibilities :

Students with Disabilities – It is the policy of Mesa Community College, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to offer reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. If you are disabled and need accommodation you should contact the MCC Student Disabilities Office in the Student Services Village before any assignments are due. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Student Disabilities Office with any request for special services.

Dropping/Withdrawal - It is part of a student’s academic responsibility to decide whether or not to drop or withdraw from a course once enrolled. If you find this course does not meet your needs or that you need to withdraw for other reasons you must secure a Drop/Add slip from the Registrar’s Office, fill out the appropriate information, and bring it to the professor. If you need to withdraw but are unable to come to campus please contact me via telephone or email. I will assume that all students who enroll in the course intend to finish. I will not automatically withdraw you from this course if you simply stop coming to class!

Cell Phones – All phones should be placed in the “off” or “standby” position, or your ringer should be silenced in class.

Responsibility for Information - Students are responsible for knowing and understanding all information contained in this syllabus. If you do not understand some portion of this document, please contact the professor for clarification. All student rights and responsibilities are governed through the MCC Student Handbook; students should be aware of all policies contained therein.

Contact Information:

Academic Support Hours – Though I do not have an office while in Ireland, I will be available for Academic Support Hours (“Office Hours”) throughout the week at a location to be announced:

M-Th 2:00 – 3:00pm; or by appointment

Phone: N/A in Ireland

Email: eursic@mail.mc.maricopa.edu (the most reliable and fastest way to get in touch with me)

A Resources Website: www.mc.maricopa.edu/~bfvaughan/text/250/index.html.

Alternation of Syllabus Information:

The information contained in this syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified in class of any alteration of schedule, assignment, or grading policy.

Tentative Course Outline

Ancient Irish Religion:

Monday (6/2) - Bank Holiday

Tuesday (6/3) Basic Concepts in Religious Studies

No reading, Introduction

Q: What is a working definition of religion? (We will do this in class)

Wednesday (6/4) Neolithic Pre-Celtic Religion in Ireland

Read: S. xiii-xxi, 1-37

Q: How do we know about ancient Irish religion?

Q: What defines the mythological period?

Thursday (6/5) The Coming of the Celts

Read: S. 38-95, K. 1-50

Q: What is the triple goddess? ** We will do this in class

Q: When are the four great feasts of the Celtic year and what are the two seasons?

Paper #1 Due

Friday (6/6) Loughcrew

Hiberno-Celtic Religion: "Tain Bo Cuailnge" (The cattle raid of Cooley)

Monday (6/9)

Read: Part 1 - Cause of the raid; war deeds of Cuchulainn K. 50-156

Read: Kings, Society,and Celtic religion Walsh 39-49

Q: What is a tuatha and how many were there in 5^th century Ireland?

Q: What were the four levels of free society. How was honor determined and why was it important?

Q: Name four forms of nature that were venerated and explain why they were considered sacred.

Q: What is most typical Celtic symbol of divinity or otherworld?

Tuesday (6/10)

Read: Part 2 - Combat; The Rising of Ulster K. 156-205

Read: Part 3 - The Final Conflict K. 106-253

Midterm Review

Q: Give a summary storyline of the Tain Bo’ Cuailinge. Identify 5 major characters.

Q: What does an epic myth such as the Tain do for its people?

Wednesday (6/11)

Midterm

DVD: Sex and the Celts

Thursday (6/12) To Dublin

Friday (6/13) Dublin - Bloomsday Festival/Scavenger Hunt

Saturday (6/14) Dublin - Scavenger Hunt

The Introduction of Christianity to Ireland:

Monday (6/16) Early Christianity; Christianity in Ireland: St. Patrick W 9-53

Q: When did Christianity enter Ireland and how?

Q: When did St. Patrick live and what were his major accomplishments?

Tuesday (6/17) Early Irish Monasticism and Celtic Chursh Art W 69-93, W 167-179

Q: Who is St. Brigit of Kildaire, and what was her major accomplishments?

Q: How does St. Brigit relate to the Celtic goddess Brigid?

Q: What were the major types of Celtic Church art. Where and why here were they made?

Paper #2 Due

Wednesday (6/18) Columcille and Monastic Ireland W 94-105

Q: Who is St. Colum Cille and what were his major accomplishments?

Thursday (6/19) The Irish Penitentials W. 139-155

Q: What are the Irish penitentials? When were they written and why?

Friday (6/20) Clonmacnoise

Early Medieval Christian Ireland:

Monday (6/23) The end of the Irish Church W. 156-166

Q: What ended the Irish church and when?

Q: What were the major controversies used to end the Irish church?

Tuesday (6/24) Irish Folklore/Irish Religion, handout

DVD: The Fairy Faith

Q: What is a fairy, fairy mound, fairy rings and fairy trees?

Q: What is a leprechaun and what is its disposition?

Wednesday (6/25) Cont.

Final Review

Thursday (6/26)

Final

Paper #3

Friday (6/27) Trim Castle (The Anglo-Norman Pale)

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