HS1007: Merlin: Magic and Prophecy

Module code: HS1007

Module provider: History; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Anne Lawrence, email: a.e.mathers-lawrence@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module explores the rise and transformations of the figure of Merlin, and its influence upon ideas of magic, prophecy, natural philosophy and power.  The period covered will be long, stretching from the twelfth century to the twentieth, in order to develop understanding of long-term patterns of historical change.

The aims of the module are to:

• Introduce students to key ideas and debates concerning the natural and the supernatural
• Introduce students to the study of ideas in historical context
• Encourage students to reflect critically upon the historical basis of contemporary ideas about the supernatural, the natural, and the justifications of power

The purpose of the module is to equip students with an understanding of key historical sources and debates and to develop their skills in analysing ideas in historical context.  Central to this will be the use of cultural products (textual, visual and cinematic) as sources of historical evidence.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Understand how ideas and actions are shaped by their historical contexts
2. Be aware of differing methodological approaches to handling historical sources
3. Organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing
4. Demonstrate familiarity with bibliographical conventions and mastery of library skills

Module content

The figure of Merlin has remained familiar from the twelfth century until the present day, especially in the Anglophone world. However, academic attention has focused on just two issues: the early origins of Merlin; and his role in literature. This Option takes a historical view of Merlin and begins with the churchman and chronicler (and probable fraudster) who revealed Merlin to twelfth-century Europe – Geoffrey of Monmouth. In his works, Merlin is a prophet rather than simply a magician. This medieval Merlin was also a learned scientist, whose skills included astrology and an early version of alchemy.

This Option will explore that full range of knowledge, and what it reveals about medieval and early modern culture and society. We shall also follow the process by which this powerful prophet was revealed in the sixteenth century to be part of one of the greatest frauds in British history – and what effect this revelation had. Analysis of later images of Merlin will be used as the basis for discussion of concepts of the supernatural.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

These are designed to encourage students to work and develop analytical skills both independently and in groups.  Particular aims are that by the end of the module students should be able to:

• identify the nature and origin of key types of source material
• trace the historical development in Western Europe of the concepts of magic and prophecy
• be aware of differing historiographical interpretations of the pattern and causes of this development
• understand how ideas and events are shaped by their historical contexts
• organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing, both individually and with colleagues

The teaching will be centred on eleven weekly two-hour seminars, supplemented by eleven weekly one-hour project meetings.  These will be developed by online activities as directed and independent study.

Study hours

At least 27 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Reassessment

Additional costs