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The Book of Kells: Exploring an Irish Medieval Masterpiece Course - Trinity College Dublin

General

2 locations available
Read more about this program on the school's website

Program Description

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Discover medieval Ireland using the Book of Kells, a ninth-century manuscript featuring the four gospels of the new testament.

Explore the history of Ireland using the remarkable Book of Kells

The Book of Kells manuscript, housed at Trinity College Dublin is world famous - it attracts almost one million visitors a year. But what can this book tell us about Irish history? And what significance is the manuscript in today’s world?

On this course, you will use the Book of Kells as a window through which to explore the landscape, history, faith, theology, and politics of early medieval Ireland. You will also consider how the manuscript was made, its extended biography and how it has affected different areas of the contemporary world.

What topics will you cover?

  • Where and how the manuscript was made.
  • The social context from which the manuscript emerged, including early medieval faith and politics.
  • The artistic context of the manuscript, reflecting local and international styles.
  • The theology and interpretations of the text.
  • How and why the manuscript survived.
  • The Book of Kells and contemporary culture.

When would you like to start?

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. 

  • Available now

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to:

  • Explain the function and meanings of medieval Irish art.
  • Understand how medieval manuscripts were made.
  • Engage critically with methodologies and scholarly debates which have shaped interpretations of the period.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the distinctive features of the Irish Church in this era.
  • Combine visual analysis with theological and historical appraisal regarding medieval material culture.

Who is the course for?

The course is for anyone with an interest in Ireland, medieval studies, history, art, religion and/or popular culture.

Who will you learn with?

Rachel Moss

Associate Professor in the History of Art and Architecture at Trinity College Dublin.

Fáinche Ryan

Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin.

Who developed the course?

Trinity College Dublin

Founded in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s highest-ranked university. It promotes a diverse, interdisciplinary environment to nurture ground-breaking research, innovation, and creativity.

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  • Access to this course for 6 weeks

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  • Access to this course for as long as it’s on FutureLearn
  • A print and digital Certificate of Achievement once you’re eligible

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  • Access to this course, and hundreds of other FutureLearn short courses and tests for a year
  • A printable digital Certificate of Achievement on all short courses once you’re eligible
  • The freedom to keep access to any course you've achieved a digital Certificate of Achievement on, for as long as the course exists on FutureLearn
  • The flexibility to complete your choice of short courses in your own time within the year
Last updated Sep 2020

About the School

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