MA Gaelic/Comparative Literature

About this course

Scottish Gaelic combined with comparative literature is a pairing that brings together the study of one of Scotland's indigenous languages and its rich cultural heritage with the wider analytical tradition of reading literature across linguistic and national boundaries. Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language with a continuous literary tradition stretching from early medieval poetry to contemporary writing, and it is the native language of communities across the Highlands and Islands. Comparative literature examines how literary works from different traditions relate to and illuminate each other, asking what crosses linguistic and cultural boundaries and what is irreducibly particular to specific traditions. At the University of Glasgow you will study Gaelic and comparative literature on a part-time basis, with a year abroad built into the programme to broaden your academic and cultural perspective. You will explore Scottish Gaelic language and culture through the centuries to the present day, developing your linguistic skills alongside knowledge of Gaelic literature, history and contemporary culture, and connecting that study to the comparative analytical frameworks of literary study more broadly. Glasgow has significant strengths in both Celtic languages and comparative literature, and the programme benefits from that research depth. The part-time mode allows you to pursue this combination alongside other commitments. Graduates work in education, particularly in Gaelic-medium education which is growing in scope across Scotland, in Gaelic broadcasting and media organisations such as BBC Alba, in heritage and cultural organisations, in publishing, in community development and in a range of roles where Gaelic language competency is directly relevant. The comparative literature dimension broadens your graduate profile into the wider humanities, opening roles in education, publishing, journalism and cultural sectors that value literary analytical skills. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in Celtic languages, Gaelic studies, comparative literature or education, and the combination of a minority language with genuine depth and literary analytical breadth is a distinctive graduate profile.

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