Medieval Ireland: Conflict and Conquest

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will examine the divided communities of medieval Ireland and the profound effects of two major influxes of people. Students will examine the political and social changes that occurred through the arrival of first the Vikings in the ninth century, then the Anglo-Normans in the twelfth century. Topics to be examined will include: hybridisation or blending of cultural groups; medieval concepts of difference, ethnicity and race; frontiers that existed between societies; the Gaelic reaction to Viking and Anglo-Norman advances; how modern historians have answered the question of whether medieval Ireland was England's first colony? Students will become familiar with historical and literary texts in translation, as well as other diverse sources such as archaeological reports. At the end of the course, students will have a demonstrated understanding of the different effects the arrival of the Vikings and Normans had on native Irish society and an awareness of the development of 'frontier' or 'hybrid' societies.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• demonstrate use of evidence in written arguments;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.