Medieval History: Culture, Text, Image (MA)

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5. Medieval History: Culture, Text, Image

About This Course

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Fact File

• Title

  Medieval History: Culture, Text, Image

• Code

  MAMEHI

• College

  Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

• Duration

  1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time

• Qualifications

  MA

• EU Fees

  Full-time €6,130; €3,130 (Year 1 part-time), €3,130 (Year 2 part-time)
  See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Non-EU Fees

  €16,400

• Entry Requirements

  See Requirements for full details.

• Closing Date

  Open for EU applications, check rounds closing under How to Apply

• Non-EU Closing Date

  30 June 2023

• Start Date

  11 September 2023

Course Outline

The MA in Medieval History: Culture, Text, Image is a taught, one-year course that gives you the research skills to investigate and interpret the literary and artistic culture of the Middle Ages, particularly of early Ireland and Britain.

You will encounter medieval sources that are being radically reinterpreted in the light of exciting new research by course lecturers. The course is designed to give you a thorough grounding in research skills while providing maximum freedom to follow your own research interests.

You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your own ability to engage with historical sources in writing your research dissertation, and to apply your knowledge in designing an online exhibition and engaging with public history through digital platforms.

In the Autumn and Spring teaching periods, you will take a number of courses (with the option to take instruction in Latin) that explore major themes in western medieval culture and are intended to equip you with the key skills of the medieval historian. Teaching is research-led; classes focus on a range of sources, both literary and visual.

• HI6094 (10 credits): Historical Contexts for Medievalists discusses fundamental turning points and transformations in the history and culture of medieval Western Europe; it consists of seminars and site visits.
• HI6090 (10 credits): The Insular World in Text and Image discusses selected sources of fundamental importance for understanding the medieval history and culture of the Insular world; it consists of seminars.
• HI6091 (10 credits): Skills for Medieval Historians explores and evaluates historical sources available to medieval historians and enhances students' employability and transferable skills through practice-based teaching; the module consists of seminars, group work on the online exhibition, and a masterclass.

You will have the opportunity to take an introductory Latin course (LT6001), or a Latin project (LT6005). If you decide not to take Latin, you can choose from a number of selected options in consultation with your Supervisor and the MA coordinator. 

See the University Calendar (Medieval History) for more information on course content and module options.

Map of Cork. Detail from Civitates Orbis Terrarum [Coloniae Agrippinae: apud Petrum a Brachel, 1618]
Ed.Georg Braun & engravings by Abraham Hogenberg. U.314(v.6), Special Collections, UCC Library

Student MA Exhibitions

As part of the MA in Medieval History, our postgraduates create and publish an online exhibition. In the past, we have created exhibitions on the Book of Kells, the Luttrell Psalter, and medieval and early modern maps of Cork city.

Course Practicalities

The taught modules in the MA are evenly spread across both the Autumn and Spring semesters, enabling you to balance your work commitments across the academic year and to leave Semester 3 for your research and the writing of your thesis.

• The introductory module, Historical Contexts for Medievalists (HI6094) provides you with a solid grounding in this field, and the foundation for the more specialised modules to follow.
• Skills for Medieval Historians (HI6091) is taught as a lecture/workshop series. This module involves work in the university’s Special Collections and culminates in the creation of an online exhibition. You can explore some of these exhibitions on the UCC library’s River-side portal.
• Introduction to Latin (LT6001) is taught in three one-hour classes per week throughout both semesters and is offered by the Department of Classics at UCC.

In the taught History modules, you are assessed by coursework involving the writing of an essay and the delivery of oral presentations. The Latin module is examined by continuous assessment and by an end-of-year exam. You will also complete a minor dissertation (20,000 words maximum) based on your own research of a topic of particular interest to you.

• The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

The MA programme has a credit weighting of 90 credits, divided equally between coursework (45 credits) and minor dissertation (45 credits).

Who teaches this programme

• Dr Damian Bracken
• Dr Malgorzata D'Aughton
• Dr Diarmuid Scully

Why Choose This Course

• The programme is designed to give students a thorough grounding in research skills while providing maximum freedom to follow their own research interests.
• This course will appeal to students wishing to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the culture of the medieval West, and especially of early Ireland and Britain.
• Students will encounter medieval sources that are being radically reinterpreted in the light of exciting new research by programme lecturers.
• Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the period and their interpretative skills in the working environment of a museum.

Skills and Careers Information

The course will equip you with the essential skills that enable you to understand and interpret the history and culture (written and visual) of the past. It will introduce new and innovative methodologies that bring fresh insights into medieval times, and that allows us to reconstruct in considerable detail how people understood their world, and how they lived their lives. There are modules that explore and apply research methods, and also modules that train you in how these methods and skills can be used by graduates in their employment. 

An essential part of the MA is instruction and experience in applied skills that allow you to create and publish an online exhibition and develop your expertise in public history, by working with the university’s Special Collections and digital humanities environment. You will also be guided in how to develop your ability to present your findings both orally and in writing.  

What are our graduates doing?

Our Medieval History graduates are working in a variety of careers including:

• doctoral studies with scholarship support
• work in financial services
• university lecturing/teaching
• project management
• work in the heritage sector including curatorial and museum positions.

Requirements

To be considered for registration an applicant will normally have a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a suitable subject or the equivalent. Applications from students with a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a suitable subject may also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). These applicants may be requested to submit a proposal and/or attend an interview.

All candidates must satisfy a Selection Committee who may request applicants to provide letters of reference.

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is Full-time €6,130; €3,130 (Year 1 part-time), €3,130 (Year 2 part-time).

The Non-EU fee for this course is €16,400.

Students may be requested to contribute towards the field trip as part of the module Skills for Medieval Historians (HI6039).

How Do I Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

• Briefly describe a research proposal that may form the basis of your thesis. 

• Please upload a portfolio of relevant work. 

Before completing the online application, intending candidates must consult with the relevant course coordinators or prospective supervisors to discuss/confirm their proposed research area.

• Course Coordinator: Dr Damian Bracken, School of History, University College Cork ([email protected])

The School of History may ask applicants to provide letters of reference if necessary when considering applications.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

The MA in Medieval History: Culture, Text, Image is a taught, one-year course that gives you the research skills to investigate and interpret the literary and artistic culture of the Middle Ages, particularly of early Ireland and Britain.

You will encounter medieval sources that are being radically reinterpreted in the light of exciting new research by course lecturers. The course is designed to give you a thorough grounding in research skills while providing maximum freedom to follow your own research interests.

You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your own ability to engage with historical sources in writing your research dissertation, and to apply your knowledge in designing an online exhibition and engaging with public history through digital platforms.

In the Autumn and Spring teaching periods, you will take a number of courses (with the option to take instruction in Latin) that explore major themes in western medieval culture and are intended to equip you with the key skills of the medieval historian. Teaching is research-led; classes focus on a range of sources, both literary and visual.

• HI6094 (10 credits): Historical Contexts for Medievalists discusses fundamental turning points and transformations in the history and culture of medieval Western Europe; it consists of seminars and site visits.
• HI6090 (10 credits): The Insular World in Text and Image discusses selected sources of fundamental importance for understanding the medieval history and culture of the Insular world; it consists of seminars.
• HI6091 (10 credits): Skills for Medieval Historians explores and evaluates historical sources available to medieval historians and enhances students' employability and transferable skills through practice-based teaching; the module consists of seminars, group work on the online exhibition, and a masterclass.

You will have the opportunity to take an introductory Latin course (LT6001), or a Latin project (LT6005). If you decide not to take Latin, you can choose from a number of selected options in consultation with your Supervisor and the MA coordinator. 

See the University Calendar (Medieval History) for more information on course content and module options.

Map of Cork. Detail from Civitates Orbis Terrarum [Coloniae Agrippinae: apud Petrum a Brachel, 1618]
Ed.Georg Braun & engravings by Abraham Hogenberg. U.314(v.6), Special Collections, UCC Library

Student MA Exhibitions

As part of the MA in Medieval History, our postgraduates create and publish an online exhibition. In the past, we have created exhibitions on the Book of Kells, the Luttrell Psalter, and medieval and early modern maps of Cork city.

The taught modules in the MA are evenly spread across both the Autumn and Spring semesters, enabling you to balance your work commitments across the academic year and to leave Semester 3 for your research and the writing of your thesis.

• The introductory module, Historical Contexts for Medievalists (HI6094) provides you with a solid grounding in this field, and the foundation for the more specialised modules to follow.
• Skills for Medieval Historians (HI6091) is taught as a lecture/workshop series. This module involves work in the university’s Special Collections and culminates in the creation of an online exhibition. You can explore some of these exhibitions on the UCC library’s River-side portal.
• Introduction to Latin (LT6001) is taught in three one-hour classes per week throughout both semesters and is offered by the Department of Classics at UCC.

In the taught History modules, you are assessed by coursework involving the writing of an essay and the delivery of oral presentations. The Latin module is examined by continuous assessment and by an end-of-year exam. You will also complete a minor dissertation (20,000 words maximum) based on your own research of a topic of particular interest to you.

• The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

The MA programme has a credit weighting of 90 credits, divided equally between coursework (45 credits) and minor dissertation (45 credits).

Who teaches this programme

• Dr Damian Bracken
• Dr Malgorzata D'Aughton
• Dr Diarmuid Scully

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.