Modern Celtic Cultures and Folklore; Prof. Daniel Melia

SPRING 2002: Celtic Studies 129 ( 4 units), Modern Celtic Cultures and Folklore; Prof. Daniel Melia ; (Cross-registration, SFSU, grade A)

Celtic languages have been spoken in modern times in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man, all of which have retained a cultural identification as "Celtic" even, in some cases, after the disappearance of the spoken language. Using Ireland as the test case, Celtic Studies 129 investigates the question of what such a designation might mean and how and why it takes the particular shape it does in the late 20th century. The course will pay special attention to the role of folklore in the creation and promulgation of cultural identity and "blason populaire." Required exercises: Mid-Term exam; group project; term paper; final exam.

TEXTS:

Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (‘Tis)

Twenty Years A-Growing, Maurice O'Sullivan

The Horse of Pride, P-J. Helias

Irish Folk History, Henry Glassie (also Irish Folk Tales)

Folktales of Ireland, Sean O'Sullivan

The Islandman, Tomas O Crohan

Peig: The Autobiography of Peig Sayers of the Great Blasket, Sayers, Peig

An Intelligent Person's Guide to Modern Ireland, John Waters