Old Norse Mythology
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 5
- Teaching semesters
- Spring
- Course code
- NOFI106
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- Norwegian. Danish, Swedish and English may also be used to a certain extent.
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
After successfully completing this course, students will have:
- Basic knowledge of older Old Norse mythology and cults.
- Basic knowledge of the mythology in Snorre-Edda
- A clear understanding of the mythological content in a selection of Edda poems.
Abilities
- The ability to comment on and analyse a selection of translated Edda poems and Snorre-Edda in translation.
- The ability to place the texts in a religious and historical context
General Competence
- The ability to understand mythological structures in general
- Basic knowledge of scientific methods in the study of religion.
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures
If less than five students are registered to a course, the department might reduce the teaching, please see the department's guidelines regarding this on "My page". Regarding a course where this is a possibility the students get information about this at the beginning of the semester, and before the deadline regarding semester registration 1st February/1st September.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
1) Obligatory attendance at least 75% of the scheduled lectures.
2) If the student, in consultation with the lecturer, sets up an alternative syllabus to the standard one, the student must hand in and have the syllabus list approved within the advertised deadline.
The compulsory requirements are valid for the given semester.
Forms of Assessment
Written examination of four hours.
It is permitted to write in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, English or German.
Grading Scale
Reading List
Syllabus:
A. Primary Texts
1. Ten Eddic poems in translation.
2. From The Younger Edda (Snorre-Edda): Gylvaginning and Skaldskaparmål
B. Secondary Texts
1. A broad introduction to Old Norse religion, e.g. Gro Steinsland, Norrøn religion. Myter, riter, samfunn, Oslo: Pax (2005) pp. 11-392.
2. A selection of articles and chapters that comment on the primary texts of the syllabus. Approx. 100 pages.
The department will announce the complete syllabus. There is the opportunity to change parts of the literature on the syllabus in consultation with the lecturer. In this case, the candidate must contact the course lecturer as soon as possible, and hand in and have the syllabus list approved within the advertised deadline.