Spring 2026
Visit Celtic courses at the Harvard Course Catalog
Joseph F. Nagy (Henry L. Shattuck Professor of Irish Studies); Ciara Ni Riain (Lecturer), Paul Russell (Chair; Margaret Brooks Robinson Professor in Residence); Katherine Scheidt (Instructional Fellow); Tony Vitt (Instructional Fellow); Margo Griffin-Wilson (Visiting Lecturer) Carol Zall (Teaching Assistant)
Spring 2027. Courses in the Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures
Celtic 161. Collecting Irish Folklore at Home and Abroad. Ciara Ní Riain. MWF 12-1:15
This course explores the history of Irish folkloristics and the collecting of folklore and popular tradition in Ireland and abroad. Students will examine the work of early collectors in Ireland and North America, the contributions of key figures in the field, and the changing methods and theories that have shaped folklore scholarship from the late eighteenth century to the present. Throughout the course, students will work directly with primary sources, including the National Folklore Collection, UCD’s online archive Duchas.ie and the rich Irish manuscript holdings of Houghton Library, gaining hands-on experience in archival research on the collection of Irish folklore in Ireland and America. Representative oral narratives from the Gaelic tradition will be read in translation, offering insight into the stories, beliefs, and cultural worlds preserved in the folklore record.
Celtic 223. From Manuscripts to Book: Editing Texts in Celtic Languages. Paul Russell.
TuTh 10:30-11:45
‘From Manuscripts to Book’ will begin with a broad survey of the history, theory and methodologies of textual criticism and in its origins in the editing of classical and biblical texts before moving on to consider their application to medieval texts. There are probably more texts preserved in medieval and early modern manuscripts written in Celtic languages and Latin from the Celtic-speaking world that have never been edited than for any other literary culture in the western world. In addition to acquiring the theoretical and methodological underpinnings, the students will gain practical expertise in editing passages of texts in different genres, ranging from single-manuscript editions to those where multiple manuscripts are involved. While the course is intended primarily for graduate students in Celtic and the focus will be primarily medieval and early-modern, editing of modern texts will also be considered. Although aimed at Celticists, other interested students with adjacent interests (e.g. in Latin) are welcome to attend.
Celtic 340. Celtic Languages and Literatures Proseminar. Paul Russell. M 3:00-5:00
An introduction to Celtic studies and a review of the major critical approaches to the field.
Irish 133r. Intermediate Modern Irish. Katherine Scheidt. MTuWTh 9:00-10:15
A continuation of Irish 132, developing students' fluency in spoken and written Irish. As our knowledge of the language expands, we venture into storytelling, journal writing and writing and performing short skits. Internet, audio and video resources complement the study of grammar and select prose texts.
The course introduces students to Irish as it is spoken and written today. Class work is participatory, and includes conversational role play and games as well as grammar study and drills. Audio and audiovisual resources reinforce pronunciation and aural comprehension. Songs, proverbs, and poems are an integral part of the course, introducing students to the vibrant oral and literary tradition of Gaelic Ireland
Irish 206r. Studies in Early Irish Texts. Margo Griffin-Wilson. Tu 3:00-5:00. W 1:30-2:45.
Close reading of a selected Middle Irish text (or texts), with attention to language, codicology, transmission and scholarship. This course can be counted towards the requirements for the graduate secondary field in Medieval Studies.
Irish 209. Voices of “Hidden Ireland”: Irish Poetry 1700-1900. Ciara Ní Riain. W 3:00-5:00.
In this course, students will develop and refine their Irish-language skills through the study of poetry from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. Together, we will explore a dynamic period in Irish literary history, from the late seventeenth century, when Irish was losing its place as a language of prestige, to the burgeoning Gaelic Revival of the late nineteenth century. Along the way, students will encounter a rich range of voices and experiences as they read poems shaped by political upheaval, social change, and cultural renewal. Topics range from protest, violence, censorship, gender and racial politics to family, love, and loyalty.
Throughout the course, students will pay close attention to meter, language, and style while reading these works in their literary and historical contexts. Alongside some of the best-known voices in Irish poetry, including Piaras Feiritéar, Dáibhí Ó Bruadair, Brian Merriman, Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill, and Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin, students will also encounter lesser-known writers whose works open new perspectives on the complexity and richness of Irish literary culture during this period.
Knowledge of Irish language desirable but not required. Consult with Course Head Ciara Ní Riain for clarification.
Scottish Gaelic 168. Advanced Scottish Gaelic. Carol Zall. F 3-5:45.
Direct continuation of the fall term course Scottish Gaelic 167. [Pending enrollment]
Welsh 129r. Intermediate Modern Welsh. Tony Vitt. MTuWTh 9:00-10:15.
Direct continuation of Welsh 128, developing and deepening students' knowledge of, and skill in, the modern spoken and written language. By the end of the semester students will be able to converse, read and write in a number of registers of idiomatic Welsh (academic, literary, informal). Various media, featuring dialogue, music and film, augment the advanced grammatical survey. Central cultural and historical issues are discussed.
Welsh 225b. Medieval Welsh Prose and Poetry. Paul Russell. TuTh 1:30-2:45.
This course continues the study of Middle Welsh grammar and practice in translation and in addition provides an introduction to the manuscript sources and their cultural contexts. Gradually the focus will move away from prose towards verse and the latter part of the course will focus on intricacies of medieval Welsh poetics.