SCANDINAVIAN 125: Old Norse Literature

TuTh 12:30-2 , Wheeler 204. Instructor: Rue Taylor

Units: 4

L&S Breadth: Arts & Literature

This course is an introduction to the literature of Viking and Medieval Scandinavia. While much of the course will emphasize reading, understanding, discussing and writing about the literature of from this period, we will also learn about the development of Scandinavian literature through time, as well as the oral, literary, religious and cultural contexts of that literature. Readings will include Egil’s Saga, the Vinland Sagas, Laxdæla Saga and The Saga of the Ynglings.

Texts:

Margaret Clunies Ross, The Cambridge Introduction to the Old Norse-Icelandic Saga. Cambridge.

The Sagas of the Icelanders with a preface by Jane Smiley. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition.

Course Reader

Prerequisites: None.

Course taught in English with readings in English.