Custom and Belief (CT0110)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-3-CT0110

This course provides a thorough grounding in the pagan underlay to Northern European culture and in patterns of belief associated with the rhythms of the seasons and of social life. Examination of traditional custom is greatly enhanced by recourse to both modern critical analysis and archive sources. A fieldtrip to the Jedburgh ba' game is a particular feature of this course. Teaching consists of a combination of lectures, case studies and tutorials.
Assessment will be by an oral presentation and an essay of approximately 2,500 words in semester 1 and by an essay of approximately 3,000 words in semester 2.
Course Aims and Objectives: expertise in the application of contemporary approaches to the study of traditional custom and belief; the development of a portfolio of critical skills (such as structural analysis) which will enable the student to apply these to case studies and conduct his/her own original research in this area; an understanding of the cultural, socio-historical and psychological contexts in which traditional custom and belief is encountered; knowledge of useful and precise critical terminology; confidence in the preparation and delivery of oral presentations.
Course Outline: Semester 1 - Context: archaic cognition; how our ancestors thought; Liminality: boundaries and thresholds in space and time; Spatial Organisation: sacred space, directionality and positioning, territoriality; Custom and Community: rivalry and co-operation, custom and conflict; On Fear: taboo and protection; Life Cycle I: birth and baptism; Life Cycle II: betrothal and marriage; Life Cycle III: death; Ritual language. Spring Term - Cosmology I: the deep structure of our calendar; Cosmology II; Seasonal Custom I; Seasonal Custom II; Seasonal Custom III; Traditional Drama: the folk play Galoshins; Contests: the meaning of rivalry - the ba' games of Orkney and the Borders; Field trip to Jedburgh: observing tradition; Carnival: adult play, safety valves, the world upside down

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A pass at Scottish Ethnology 2 is normally required.

? Costs : None.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Scottish Ethnology, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 20 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The intended learning outcomes of the course remain expertise in the interpretation and understanding of cutomary tradition in Scotland from the earliest sources to the modern period; an awareness of the range and variety of approaches to studying this and traditional belief and knowledge of a substantial number of critical texts; knowledge of linguistic, literary, cultural, psychological and socio-historical contexts in which customary tradition is found and knowledge of useful and precise critical terminology. In particular the provision of material on archaic cosmology opens up a new critical approach amounting to a paradigm shift in the analysis of the subject area.