CE5433: Red Dragons and Grey Horses: An Introduction to Folklore in Wales

School Continuing and Professional Education
Department Code LEARN
Module Code CE5433
External Subject Code 100319
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Michelle Deininger
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2020/1

Outline Description of Module

Welsh folklore abounds in tales, beliefs and customs both old and new about the Red Dragon, the Mari Lwyd, witches, saints and magicians, ghosts and the tylwyth teg. This module traces the history and development of Welsh folklore culture and how it has adapted to the modern world. Traditions about famous magicians such as Merlin and John Dee as well as the local dyn hysbys reflect a renewed interest in Welsh culture. The tales of the Mabinogion appear frequently in art, literature, and popular culture. The folklore of Wales, especially the many traditions about the supernatural have shaped perceptions about its origins and identity, and this course will also examine the ways in which folklore has shaped Welsh identity as well.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

- demonstrate a broad knowledge of various aspects of folk culture in Wales.

- demonstrate an understanding of a range of different approaches to Welsh folklore 

- demonstrate an ability to gather, assimilate and interpret knowledge drawn from traditional and popular sources.

- demonstrate an understanding of the kinds of evidence which may be drawn from literature, folklore, art and popular culture

- demonstrate an understanding of the different genres of folklore

- initiate, undertake and articulate analysis of information drawn from a wide variety of sources

 

How the module will be delivered

The course will be delivered in 10 two-hour sessions which will include PowerPoint based lectures and opportunities for the students to discuss various aspects of Welsh folklore. A visit to Special Collections and Archives will give students the opportunity to examine material related to this course

 

Skills that will be practised and developed

•           The ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively, whether in class discussion or in written form

•           The ability to work effectively with others in groups and to learn collaboratively through discussion and interaction

•           The ability to think critically, analyse sources, evaluate arguments, and challenge assumptions.

•           The ability to formulate and justify students’ own arguments and conclusions and present appropriate supporting evidence

•           The ability to locate relevant resources in the library and online and use them appropriately in academic work

•           The ability to use a range of information technology resources to assist with information retrieval and assignment presentation

•           The ability to independently organise study methods, manage time effectively, and prioritise workload to meet deadlines

How the module will be assessed

Assignment 1   (Source Assessment)  30%

A short critical review of an article or topic related to the course 500-600 words 5th week

Assignment 2 (Essay) 70%

An essay on some aspect of a Welsh folklore such as a specific custom or a particular folktale or legend  1200-1500 words  10th week

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 100 Coursework N/A

Syllabus content

The following topics are among those which will be considered in this course:

 

  • Confronting the Past - Introducing Welsh Folklore and Myth
  • Celts and Druids: perceptions of Wales at home and abroad
  • The Mabinogi: Welsh Myths and medieval folktales
  • Past and Future – medieval Welsh romance and the Victorian revival.
  • Heroes and Heroines: Owain Glyndwr, Dic Penderyn, Boudicca and Gwenllian 
  • Legends and Ancient Monuments in the Welsh Landscape
  • Celebrating Welsh seasons from the Mari Lwyd to Halloween
  • Merlin and the Magicians of Wales
  • The Supernatural World: Witches and Y Tylwyth Teg
  • Ghosts and apparitions

 

Essential Reading and Resource List

Sioned Davies, The Mabinogion (Oxford, 2008) 

Karen Jankulak, Geoffrey of Monmouth (Cardiff: 2010)

Oliver Padel, Arthur and Medieval Welsh Literature (Cardiff 2000)

T. Gwyn Jones, Welsh Folklore and Folk-Customs (1930)

Owen, Trefor M., Welsh Folk Customs (1974)

__________., Customs and Traditions of Wales: A Pocket Guide (1991)

Tony Curtis, ed. Wales, The Imagined Nation. Bridgend: Poetry Wales Press, 1986

Andrew Joynes, Medieval ghost Stories: an Anthology of Miracles, Marvels and Prodigies (Woodbridge, 2001)

Background Reading and Resource List

Rachel Bromwich, A.O.H Jarman and Brynley F. Roberts. The Arthur of the Welsh, the Arthurian Legend in Medieval Welsh Literature (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1991)

Rachel Bromwich, The Welsh Triads. Cardiff; University of Wales Press 2005

Stephen Knight, Merlin (Cornell University Press 2009).

Francis Jones, The Holy Wells of Wales (University of Wales Press Cardiff 1994)

Elissa Henken, Welsh Saints, A Study in Patterned Lives (Boydell and Brewer, Woodbridge 1991) 

Thomas Jones, ‘The Early Evolution of the Legend of Arthur’ translated by Gerald Morgan in Nottingham Medieval Studies 8 (1964) 3-21.

A. O. H Jarman, "The Merlin Legend and the Welsh Tradition of Prophecy." In The Arthur of the Welsh: Ed. Bromwich, Jarman, Roberts. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1991. Pp. 117-45

Anne E Jones. "Folk Medicine in Living Memory in Wales" Folklife 18(1980) 58‑68.

Catrin Stevens, Welsh Courting Customs (Gomer 1993)

C.W. Sullivan III, The Mabinogi: a book of essays (London; Garland 1996)

Minwel Tibbott, "Liberality and Hospitality: Food as Communication in Wales’ Folklife 24(85‑86) 32‑52.

Juliette Wood “The Fairy Bride in Welsh Narrative” Folklore (1992) 56-72

 

Online resource: St Fagans (the Museum devoted to Welsh culture and folklore) http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/


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