Semesters
NO125 An Introduction to Old Norse: Language and Culture
No prior knowledge
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the written vernacular language of Norway and Iceland in the Middle Ages, known as Old Norse. Old Norse is a rich and complex language that was spoken and written across the Nordic region, as well as in parts of the British Isles and Greenland, from the beginning of the Viking Age to the end of the High Middle Ages (c 9th–14th centuries). Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises, students will learn the basic grammar and vocabulary of Old Norse, acquiring the essential skills needed to read and translate Old Norse texts as well as a basic foundation in working with and interpreting medieval primary sources.
The course is structured into three main components, each designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Old Norse language and culture:
- Part I: Students will learn the basic grammar and syntax of Old Norse, including its writing system, pronunciation, and phonology, as well as an overview over the historical and linguistic context of Norwegian language development during the Viking Age and Middle Ages.
- Part II: We expand our focus to the broader linguistic and cultural context of Old Norse, examining the historical and social factors that shaped the development and use of the language, continuing to build on the linguistic foundation from part I. In translation exercises, we will explore excerpts from the rich literary tradition of Old Norse, including the sagas, mythological texts, and encyclopedic literature.
- Part III: We will put our skills gained in Parts I & II into practice by working with a variety of excerpts from original Old Norse texts, getting an introduction to working with both normalized and non-normalized texts in manuscripts, charters, and runic inscriptions, and gaining practical insights into the challenges and rewards of working with original medieval material. By the end of the course, students will have gained a deep appreciation for the complexity of Old Norse language and Norwegian language history, as well as a solid foundation in the skills needed to read, translate, and analyze medieval primary sources.
In accordance with the National Qualifications Framework the student will achieve the following learning outcomes after completing the course:
The student will:
- have a foundational understanding of Old Norse grammar, including its sound system, word inflection, and sentence structure
- have a foundational overview of the historical and cultural context of the Old Norse period (7th to 14th centuries)
The student will be able to:
- read, translate, and interpret basic Old Norse texts, using a grammar and dictionary
- be able to analyze and interpret medieval primary sources relevant to the historical and
- linguistic study of the Old Norse period
The student will:
- be able to critically analyze and synthesize information from both primary and secondary sources
- develop an interdisciplinary understanding that integrates language, history, and cultural studies of the Middle Ages, equipping them with the tools necessary to approach complex historical periods comprehensively
The course is organized into weekly instruction in the form of lectures and practical sessions.
Course requirements and other assignments will be submitted through the e-learning platform, Canvas. Basic internet skills (i.e. use of a browser, participation in online discussion forums, up- and downloading of files) is a prerequisite.
Completion of 75% of semi-weekly ungraded online quizzes.
Attendance is compulsory, with reference to Regulations governing studies and examinations at Volda University College, § 6-6 concerning attendance/participation in teaching. Students who do not meet this requirement may submit a written application to the faculty member with course responsibility, asking for dispensation. Such a dispensation may be given if the student submits a written paper on a given theme. This paper must be approved by the faculty member before the student is allowed to progress in the subject.
Grading will be done in accordance with the Regulations governing studies and examinations at Volda University College § 9-4.
The course will be evaluated in accordance with the University College’s routines for quality assurance.
- History - bachelor (net-based)
| Assessment Form | Grouping | Duration | Grading scale | Proportion | Comment | Support Materials | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written Exam | Individual | 4 Hours | A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade | 100 | Final exam | Dictionary and three pages containing grammar notes |