Final Syllabus
World of Vikings: Facts, Fiction, and Fantasy
Summer Session 3, 2016
Credits: 4
Classroom: Nørregade 7, room N7-C25
Study Tour: A weeklong study tour to Iceland
Disciplines: History. Literature. Religious Studies
Instructor: Janis Granger
Ph.D. in Scandinavian Literature and Languages, U.C. Berkeley, 1982. Taught Scandinavian
languages and literature at U.C. Berkeley, UCLA, Univ. of Washington, University of WisconsinMadison and at DIS. Academic Counselor and faculty member at DIS since 1984; Full time faculty
member since 2011. Edited books on Scandinavian literature, reviews books for “Scandinavian
Studies” and “Scandinavia.”
DIS contacts:
Karen Søilen, EH Assistant Program Director
Edward Daschle, Program Assistant
Description of course: This is a lecture and discussion course on the world of the Vikings - past and
present. First, we will study the history, religion and worldview of these pre-Christians as reflected in
medieval texts and poems from the Viking Age (approx. AD 800-1100). We will examine the origins
of the Viking world, its society and culture along with its religion and mythology. In the second part of
the course, we will look at the reasons for Viking raids, Viking expansion, trade and Vikings
settlements – especially the settlement of Iceland. We will examine Viking literature and explore why
so much was recorded and written in Iceland. We will read an Icelandic family saga in preparation for
our study tour. Finally, we will examine how Vikings and Viking lore are echoed in popular culture of
fiction and fantasy of today. There will be field study visits to the Danish National Museum, the Viking
Ship Museum- with a sailing trip on a reconstructed Viking ship. In addition to lectures and
discussions, class time will include the viewing of films about or influenced by the Vikings.
Learning objectives of the course:
 Develop an understanding of the Viking Age and its legacy in the history, literature and
landscape in Scandinavia in general and Iceland in particular
 Provide insight into the social and cultural world of the Vikings.
 Provide knowledge of Viking Age religion and culture.
 Familiarize students with Icelandic sagas and Viking literature. By reading one complete saga,
students will gain understanding of the greatness and uniqueness of this genre.
 Demonstrate the influence of the Viking Age on contemporary Icelandic consciousness and in
popular culture today.
The World of the Vikings | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: History, Literature
Final Syllabus
Required texts:
Byock, Jesse L. The Saga of the Volsungs, University of California Press, 1990.
Byock, Jesse L. Viking Age Iceland, Penguin Books, London, 2001.
Hermann Pálsson & Paul Edwards trans. Egil’s Saga, Penguin Books. 1960.
Jones, Gwyn. A History of the Vikings. 2nd rev. ed. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001.
H.R. Ellis Davidson, Gods and Myths of Northern Europe, Penguin Books, London, 1990
Snorri Sturlusson. The Prose Edda. Trans. Jean I Young, University of California Press, 1954
The Poetic Edda, Carolyne Larrington, trans. Oxford University Press, 1996
Articles posted on DIS Canvas.
Evaluation: In order to receive a passing grade, you must complete all the assignments.
Engagement (class & tour participation)
20%
Short Answer Test
(in class on July 12)
20%
Presentation (on site in Iceland or in class)
25%
Final Paper
(due last day of class)
35%
“Engagement” is your responsibility, so it is up to you what grade you receive in this area. Consider
how often you discuss, comment or ask questions in class; how many absences you have during the
course, how often you complete all the readings for class; how often you check your phone or Facebook
or other non-class related media during a single class meeting or on the study tour.
Short Answer Test
On July 12, we will have a short answer test in class containing identifications of terms and concepts,
historical background and short answer questions.
Presentations: Students will give a 10-minute presentation either in class or on site in Iceland. The
presentation may be on the topic of your research paper or another topic that interests you.
Final Paper
This paper should be an academic research paper and should be 7-8 pages in length. The paper
must highlight/discuss/analyze items, opinions, texts, or events that you find, for reasons you explain,
central to the study of the world of the Vikings – past or present. You may expand upon your
presentation or write on a new topic. You must use at least TWO OUTSIDE SCHOLARALY sources.
The assignment should have a title, be double-spaced, 12 font with approximately 300 words per page.
Students may refer to “Writing Papers at DIS,” “The MLA Handbook,” or a writing manual from their
home universities. Just be consistent when using citations, footnoting, etc.
Your paper should follow this structure:
1. Introduction: presentation of the topic to be investigated and a brief overview of what you will be
doing in your analysis along with comments on the methodology (comparative, exploring a
specific theme, use of a specific theory)
2. Short description and/or summary of text(s) to be explored
3. Analysis: comments, discussions, comparisons
4. Summary and conclusion
5. Notes and bibliography
The World of the Vikings | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: History, Literature
Final Syllabus
Expectations
Students are expected to have read the materials for each class and actively participate in
discussions. Students should come prepared to class with questions and points for discussion. When
posing questions or participating in discussions, students should, as much as possible, refer to the
readings to support the points they are making. If you are shy about speaking up in class, you are
welcome to email me your questions or ideas for class discussions. On the study tour, students are
expected to be on time, to show respect for presenters and peers and actively observe and
participate.
Approach to Teaching
I am enthusiastic about the Vikings and about Iceland. I bring this enthusiasm to my teaching. I will
start out with some background lectures. However, for the most part, the class will be based on
analysis of the readings, in-class group discussions and class discussions. I hope my enthusiasm is
catching so you all actively participate in our learning experience.
Practical Matters/Classroom Policies
Students are expected to be on time to class. Since this is an intensive 4-credit course, students are
expected to attend all classes.
Laptops may be used for note taking. Please wait until the break or time before and after class, to
check email, Facebook and check and send text messages. If surfing the internet or text messaging
becomes a problem, laptops and cell phones will be banned from the classroom.
Disability and Accommodations
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact
([email protected]) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform me of the
approved DIS accommodations within the first two days of classes.
The World of the Vikings | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: History, Literature
Final Syllabus
Course Schedule
CHECK MEETING TIMES FOR EACH SESSION AS THEY MAY
DIFFER!
Part I: History and World of the Vikings
Tues. July 5 14.00-15.30 Introduction to the course; Scandinavia and background
of the Viking World; Written Sources; Geography of the Viking World
Readings: Gwyn Jones “A History of the Vikings”:
Introduction pp. 1-13
The Scandinavian Community pp. 55-77
Map on page 271
Wed. July 6 11:00-14:00 The Viking Social Order; Cultural Beliefs and Social Norms
Viewing of 1st episode of “The Vikings”
History Channel TV series
Readings: The Poetic Edda “The List of Rig” pp. 246-252
The Poetic Edda “”Sayings of the High One” pp. 14-38
Thu. July 7 11:00-14:00 Viking Religion; Nordic Mythology
Spiritual Values, The Prose Edda
Readings: H.R.Ellis Davidson “Gods and Myths of Northern Europe”:
Introduction pp. 9-17 and “The World of the Northern Gods” pp. 23-47
Snorri Sturluson’s “Prose Edda” pp. 29-93
Fri. July 8
10.00-12.00, Visit to the Danish National Museum
We will meet in our classroom and then walk to the museum.
After our museum visit and a short break, we will return to our classroom
for individual presentations from our visit and a discussion of the advent of
Christianity in Scandinavia
12.30-14.00 Pagans & Christians
Readings: Jesse Byock, “Viking Age Iceland”, pp. 292-307
Part II: Viking Expansion & Iceland
Mon. July 11
11.00-14.00 Expansion: First Raids, Ships, Trade and Settlements
Summation of first week of class; Presentation & Paper topics
Readings: Gwyn Jones “A History of the Vikings,” Causes of the Viking
Movement pp. 182-203
Tue. July 12 11.00-12.30 Test in class
13.00-14.00 Vikings in Iceland & Introduction to Egil’s Saga
Readings: No assigned reading; review & study for test!
The World of the Vikings | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: History, Literature
Final Syllabus
Wed. July 13
departure at 9.30 sharp
9.30-16.00
Meet at H.C. Andersen Boulevard, by Tivoli at 9:15;
All-field study by bus to the Viking fortress in Trelleborg and
Royal Cathedral and Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde
Readings: Jesse Bock, “Viking Age Iceland, “pages 5-42
Evil’s Saga, introduction pages vii-xxix
Thu. July 14 11.00-14.00 Vikings in Iceland cont’d/Presentation Schedule
Icelandic Family Sagas
Readings: Egil’s Saga, Chapters 1 – 56; pages 3-105
Fri. July 15 11.00-14.00 Discussion of Egil’s Saga
Preparation for the study tour
Readings: Egil’s Saga, Chapters 57-90; pages 106-205
Study Tour
Sun. July 17
Mon. July 18
Tue. July 19
Wed. July 20
Thu. July 21
Fri. July 22
Meet at the airport at 6:30am SHARP!
Arrival, check-in; sightseeing by foot
Horseback riding; Afternoon museum visits
Golden Circle Tour: highlights of Icelandic nature/history
Whale Watching/Time on your own
Saga Tour – in the footsteps of Egil
Return to Copenhagen
Part III Fantasy: The Vikings and Popular Culture
Mon. July 25
11.00-14.00 De-briefing from study tour to Iceland
Student Presentations; Introduction of Pop Culture & the Vikings
Tue. July 26 11.00-14.00 Vikings in Film
Viewing of parts of the following films:
“The Vikings” (1958)
“Thor” (2011)
Readings: articles posted on DIS Canvas
Driver, Martha “Making Medievalism: Teaching the Middles Ages Through
Film
Tunzelmann, Alex von “Why Richard Fleisher’s The Vikings is not for
Revisionists”
The World of the Vikings | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: History, Literature
Final Syllabus
Wed. July 27
11.00-14.00 J.R. R. Tolkien’s World and Legacy
George R. R. Marten
Viewing of from TV series “Game of Thrones”
Readings: Jesse Byock, “The Saga of the Volsungs”;
Wettstein, Martin “Norse Elements in the Work of J.R.R. Tolkien”
on DIS Canvas
Thu. July 28 9:00
11.00
13.00
14.00
Meet at H.C. Andersen Boulevard: Leaving for Roskilde
Sailing of the Viking Ships
Lunch at Knarr Café
Return to Copenhagen
Fri. July 29 11.00-13.00 Vikings Today
Conclusion of the course
Final Paper due!
The World of the Vikings | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: History, Literature