Celtic Languages and Literatures
The Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures
offers advanced instruction and training in the languages and
literatures of the Celtic-speaking peoples and administers programs
leading to the PhD in Celtic Languages and Literatures. In this
respect, it is unique in the United States.
Courses in Celtic have been given at Harvard for over 100 years. In 1940, a professor of Celtic languages and literatures was appointed, and beginning with the academic year 1940-41, a separate Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures was established.
The Harvard College Library is particularly strong in the Celtic field, thanks to the unremitting labors of the late Fred Norris Robinson, Gurney Professor of English Literature. It possesses over 10,000 books on the subject, as well as a considerable number of original manuscripts and a great many facsimiles of unedited material. What is perhaps even more important, however, is the scope of the Harvard collection, since it embraces the whole of the Celtic field and affords the most diversified resources for study and research in Celtic linguistics and literature.
For links and information, the Celtic Languages and Literatures Website is www.fas.harvard.edu/~celtic/ .
Celtic Studies
Celtic is one subgroup of the Indo-European family of languages. Six Celtic languages have survived into the modern period: Cornish, Manx, Breton, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Welsh. The last four are still spoken. The oldest extant Irish and Welsh texts date from the sixth century, justifying the claim that they represent the oldest non-classical literatures of Europe. Heroic narratives in prose and verse, lyric poetry, tales of the Otherworld, and legendary history are all richly attested in the Celtic literatures. Celtic tradition has influenced both the Latin and the vernacular literatures of medieval Europe, being the source, e.g., of the Arthurian cycle.
The Harvard Celtic Studies program offers instruction in the following: Old, Middle, and Modern Irish; Middle and Modern Welsh; Scottish Gaelic; historical backgrounds of early Irish and Welsh; early, medieval, and modern Irish literature in Irish and in translation; early, medieval, and modern Welsh literature in Welsh and in translation; Irish and Welsh history and law in their social context; Celtic paganism; folklore; reading of Irish manuscripts. Courses in Breton and Cornish may be available from time to time. Consult Courses of Instruction for availability of courses in a given year.
While there is no undergraduate concentration in the department of Celtic Languages and Literatures, undergraduates are welcome to enroll in most department courses; in some instances permission of the instructor must be sought. Undergraduates concentrating in Folklore and Mythology may elect Celtic as an area specialization. Undergraduates may also petition the office of Special Concentrations to pursue a degree program in Celtic Languages and Literatures.
Master of Arts (AM)
Ordinarily, students are not admitted to the department to pursue a
terminal AM degree. Inasmuch as serious graduates of the Celtic
Languages and Literatures must possess by the end of their period of
graduate study a knowledge of at least two Celtic languages, ordinarily
Irish and Welsh, and a knowledge of the comparative grammar of the
Celtic languages, as well as knowledge of Celtic literature, knowledge
of the relations of Celtic literatures to other European literatures,
and an acquaintance with the general history of the Celtic peoples, it
is obvious that a program leading to the AM can be nothing more than an
initiation to graduate study in this subject. Therefore, students
admitted to graduate study in the Department of Celtic Languages and
Literatures are normally expected to proceed to the PhD. An AM degree
may be earned while working toward the PhD.
Prerequisites for Admission: See under PhD.
Requirements for the AM Degree
For students matriculated in the Celtic Department and working toward the PhD, and for students matriculated in other departments of GSAS, the minimum requirements for the AM in Celtic are:
Academic Residence — Minimum of one year of full-time
study (eight half-courses or equivalent). For the financial residence
requirement, see Admissions, Costs: Tuition and Fees
Program of Study — A minimum of six half-courses in the
department, three of which must be introductory, intermediate, and
advanced courses in early Irish or early Welsh (or their equivalents)
and at least one additional half-course in another Celtic language; two
additional half-courses related to the field of Celtic Studies and
approved by the department's director of graduate studies.
Languages — The ability to read Latin, to be demonstrated by
successful completion (B- grade or better) of Harvard Latin Aab (or its
equivalent elsewhere) or departmental examination. The ability to read
French and/or German, to be demonstrated by successful completion (B-
grade or better) of Harvard French Ax and/or German S (or equivalent
elsewhere), or departmental examination. An equivalent qualification
acquired at Harvard or elsewhere (and approved by the director of
graduate studies or Celtic department chair) or a departmental
examination may also demonstrate competence in any of the languages
noted above.
Examinations — No general examinations required.
Thesis — None required.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The general scope of the PhD program is outlined above in the preliminary paragraph under Master of Arts (AM). The program is designed not only to prepare students to do serious research in and teach at university level the Celtic languages and literatures, but also to be of sufficient general breadth to prepare students to teach broad courses on language or literature in liberal arts colleges.
Prerequisites for Admission
Languages — Some knowledge of a Celtic language is
preferred, but not required. In order to anticipate the language
requirement, it is desirable that the candidate for admission have a
knowledge of one or more of the following languages: French, German,
and Latin. In addition, candidates are encouraged to contact the
department to discuss their interests and the programs available within
the department prior to application for admission. Candidates are also
encouraged to submit a writing sample (not creative writing) as part of
the application for admission.
GRE — In keeping with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences policy, applications must be accompanied by the GRE scores.
Requirements for the PhD Degree
Academic Residence — Minimum of two years of full-time
study (16 half-courses or equivalent). For financial residence
requirement, see Admissions, Costs: Tuition and Fees. Scholarship aid
cannot be guaranteed after four years of full-time study.
Credit for Work Done Elsewhere — Advanced students are
encouraged to do some work abroad, especially in Celtic-speaking areas;
and limited reduction of departmental course requirements may sometimes
be arranged.
Good Standing — The requirements for good standing in the
Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures are those of the
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Special Fields — The two normal special fields are Irish
and Welsh. Other special fields and combinations may be arranged in
consultation with the chair of the department.
Program of Study — The student's program of study must be arranged in consultation with the department's director of graduate studies.
Languages — In addition to a thorough knowledge of at least
two Celtic languages, normally Irish and Welsh, a reading knowledge of
three additional foreign languages, French, German, and Latin, is
required.
Teaching — Students will normally be eligible for teaching
fellowships during their third and fourth years. Students holding the
master’s degree may be eligible in their second year. Students teaching
in department Core courses must participate in the TF orientation
program at the beginning of the term in which they will teach, as well
as attend course lectures and weekly TF meetings with the course head.
Students who are fluent in speaking, reading, and writing one of the
modern Celtic languages may be eligible to teach introductory and
intermediate courses in that language.
General Examination — The general examination is a
two-hour oral examination in the general field of Celtic studies as
outlined by the basic department reading list and augmented by the
student's special interests within Celtic or an allied field. The
examination is conducted by the student's committee, normally
comprising at least two members of the Celtic department and one
additional faculty member.
It is expected that the examination will be taken after the second year
of PhD residency (normally in the fall of the third year). In case of
unsatisfactory performance, the student may normally take the
examination a second time. A student who has not passed the general
examination by the end of the fourth year must withdraw.
The Dissertation — As soon as possible after passing the
general examination, and not later than the end of the term following
successful completion of the examination, the candidate must identify a
dissertation director and submit a brief prospectus of the proposed
dissertation. The candidate, in consultation with the dissertation
director, will then invite at least two other readers, one of whom must
be a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, to serve as additional
readers and to offer guidance as the dissertation progresses. This
procedure must have the approval of the chair of the Celtic Department.
Two copies of the dissertation must be in the hands of the chair by
August 15 for a degree in November, by December 1 for a degree in
March, and by April 1 for a degree in June. The final manuscript of the
dissertation must conform to the requirements described in the booklet
The Form of the PhD Dissertation, available from the office of the
Registrar. Students are encouraged to complete the PhD before the end
of the sixth year.
Dissertation Presentation — Completion of the dissertation
will be marked by an oral presentation of the results of the research
to an invited audience of faculty and students.
Ad Hoc Degrees — The Celtic Department encourages students
having a strong background in a subject closely related to the field of
Celtic studies (e.g., the classics, linguistics, history, English,
comparative literature) to petition GSAS for an ad hoc PhD in Celtic
and the related field. Interested parties should consult the Celtic
department's director of graduate studies and the GSAS Handbook for
details and procedures.
Further information regarding courses and programs of study in Celtic Languages and Literatures is available at www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu . For courses in Celtic Languages and Literatures, visit www.registrar.fas.harvard.edu/courses/CelticLanguagesandLiteratures.html .
Applications for admission and financial aid are available at www.gsas.harvard.edu.
Other Programs in Celtic
* Special Student: Contact the Office of Special Students, Holyoke
Center, 3rd floor, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 for
applications and deadlines. Information is available on the Special Students website . Browse for courses in Celtic Languages and Literatures.
* Harvard Extension: Evening courses in Celtic Languages and Literatures are available almost every semester. The Extension School also offers an ALM degree in Celtic. Contact Harvard Extension School, 51 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Information is available at www.extension.harvard.edu . Browse for courses in Celtic Languages and Literatures.
* Summer Courses: Contact the Harvard Summer School, 51 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Information is available at www.summer.harvard.edu . Browse for courses in Celtic Languages and Literatures.
Faculty Profiles
Patrick K. Ford, Margaret Brooks Robinson Research Professor of Celtic
Languages and Literatures, 2006-; Margaret Brooks Robinson Professor of
Celtic Languages and Literatures, chair, 1991–2005; Director of
Graduate Studies, 1991-1996. BA, Michigan State University, 1959; AM,
Harvard University, 1966; PhD, Harvard University, 1969. Assistant
Professor of English, Stanford University, 1968-70. Assistant Professor
of Indo-European studies, UCLA, 1970-71; Assistant Professor of
English, UCLA, 1970-74 (Fulbright Research Scholar, Aberystwyth,
1973-74); Associate Professor of English, UCLA, 1974-79; Professor of
English and Celtic studies, UCLA, 1979-91. Honorary Research Fellow,
Center for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales,
1999-.
Author of The Poetry of Llywarch Hen (California,
1974); The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales (California, 1977);
co-author (with Bjork, Calder, Melia) Sources and Analogues of Old
British Poetry: II, Celtic and Germanic (D.S. Brewer, 1983); editor,
Celtic Folklore and Christianity (McNally and Loftin, 1983); author,
Ystoria Taliesin (Board of Celtic Studies, UWP, 1991); co-author,
translator, The Irish Literary Tradition (Cardiff, 1991); author, The
Celtic Poets (Ford and Bailie, 1999); editor, Math uab Mathonwy (Ford
and Bailie, 1999); editor, Manawydan uab Llyr (Ford & Bailie,
2000); various articles and reviews in scholarly journals, 1968-.
Teaching and research interests include early Irish and Welsh languages
and literatures; medieval poetry and its performance.
Barbara Lisa Hillers
Associate Professor of Celtic Languages and
Literatures. BA, The Queen's University Belfast, 1987; MPhil, National
University of Ireland (University College, Dublin), 1990; PhD, Harvard
University, 1997. Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Fellow in Celtic,
University of Edinburgh, 1997-2000. Author of The Medieval Irish
Odyssey (Celtic Studies Publications, forthcoming), and of articles on
early Irish literature and modern Gaelic folklore, 1990-. Research
interests include the reception of classical literature in medieval
Ireland; the relationship between oral and literary traditions in
Scotland and Ireland; oral and literary stylistics; and form and
function of modern Gaelic folklore. She is engaged in an edition and
translation of the Irish Odyssey and other Middle Irish adaptations
from classical literature.
Catherine McKenna
Margaret Brooks Robinson
Professor of Celtic Languages and Literatures, 2005–. PhD, Harvard
University, 1976. Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor of
English, Queens College, City University of New York, 1976-2005;
Director, Queens College, CUNY, Irish Studies Program, 1984-97;
Professor of Comparative Literature and English, Graduate Center, CUNY,
1986-2005; Coordinator, Medieval Studies Certificate Program, Graduate
Center, CUNY, 1990-2005; Visiting Adjunct Professor, New York
University, 1996-2005. Author of The Medieval Welsh Religious Lyric
(Belmont, 1991). Editor of Gwaith Llywelyn Fardd and Gwaith Llywelyn
Fardd II, on the religious poetry of Gruffudd ab yr Ynad Coch, and the
Marwysgafn Bleddyn Fardd, for Cyfres Beirdd y Tywysogion, ed. R.
Geraint Gruffydd, vols. II, VI, and VII (Cardiff, 1994-96). Author of
articles on medieval Welsh narrative prose and bardic poetry and on the
hagiography of St. Brigit of Kildare. She is writing a study of
representations of St. Brigit from the 7th through the 21st century and
preparing an English-language version of the Cyfres Beirdd y Tywysogion.
Tomás Ó Cathasaigh
Chair, 2005–; Henry L. Shattuck Professor of Irish
Studies, 1995-, Director of Graduate Studies, 1997-. BA and MA,
National University of Ireland (University College, Dublin). Junior
Research Assistant, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1972.
Assistant Lecturer/College Lecturer/Statutory Lecturer, Department of
Early (including Medieval) Irish Language and Literature, University
College Dublin, 1972-1995.
Author of The Heroic Biography of Cormac Mac Airt
(Dublin, 1977), and of articles on early Irish literature, mythology,
and language. Research is devoted to various aspects of early Irish
narrative literature, such as its politico-religious ideology; its
relationship to mythology; and its thematic content and structure. He
is interested in the ways in which language is used in the literary
texts, and has been applying rhetorical criticism to them. He has also
worked on the political and dynastic elements in the early Irish Origin
Legends, and is engaged on an edition, with translation and full
commentary, of the early texts of the Origin Legend known as "The
Expulsion of the Déisi."