Nordic Mythology
Fall & Spring
| 3 credits
| Elective
History,
Literature,
and
Religious Studies
The religion and world view of the pre-Christian Scandinavians is reflected in the mythology preserved in medieval texts and poems from the Viking Age (800-1050). The course is based on readings of these primary texts, and the Icelandic Sagas further provide a glimpse into the culture and values of the Vikings. Analysis of the sagas as anthropological source material, as well as literature, will complete the course. Throughout the semester, field trips to museums and archaeological sites will help us reconstruct Viking spiritual life.
| Section A |
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| Section B |
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Field Studies
- National Museum
- Visit to the National Museum to view the exhibition of Danish prehistory
- Viking Ship Museum
- All-day field study trip to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, The ship-shaped burials in Gl. Lejre, the Viking fortress in Trelleborg and the church in Fjenneslev.
- Arnamagnean Institute
- Visit to the Arnamagnean Institute at the University of Copenhagen (New KUA) to view the Manuscript Collection of Medieval vellum and paper originals of the Icelandic sagas and Eddic poetry
Instructors
-
Morten Warmind
Mag. art., 1984 and Ph.D., 1998 (Sociology of Religion, University of Copenhagen). Associate Professor and Director of Studies, Department of History of Religion, University of Copenhagen. With DIS from 1990 to 1997 and since 2000.
-
Bettina Sejbjerg Sommer
Mag. art. (History of Religion, University of Copenhagen, 2006), specializing in Nordic Religions and Scandinavian Folklore. With DIS since 2006.
