All Reading & Composition courses must be taken for a letter grade in order to fulfill this requirement for the Bachelor’s Degree. This course satisfies the first half or the “A” portion of the Reading and Composition requirement. 

This class includes readings in a wide range of Old Norse mythological and saga literature, introducing students not only to the basics of Scandinavian, or Norse, mythology, but also to the best-known sagas of Viking heroes. These narratives have often been sources of inspiration for modern fantasy literature, and have a great deal of interest in their own right as the unique literary monuments of an unusual and vibrant medieval culture. Students will compose essays that address and analyze major themes in this literature, both for information about another culture and in order to develop skills in serious critical reading of literature.

Texts:
Crawford (translator), The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes. ISBN 978-1624663567
Faulkes (translator), Edda. ISBN 978-0460876162
Hermann Pálsson and Edwards (translators), Seven Viking Romances ISBN 978-0140444742
(Various Translators.) The Sagas of Icelanders. ISBN 978-0141000039

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement.  Students may not enroll in nor attend R1A/R5A courses without completing this prerequisite.