Nordic Mythology
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Draft Syllabus Nordic Mythology: From Myth to Marvel European Humanities, 3 credit course Summer 2018, session 1 Major Disciplines: History, Literature, Religious Studies Daily Schedule: Class: 9.30-11.00 Break: 11.00-11.30 Class: 11.30-13.00 Classroom: TBA Overview A study of the myths, cults, and traditions of the pre-Christian Nordic peoples, emphasizing the Viking period, as expressed in contemporary literature, eyewitness reports, archaeological finds, and art. Also an introduction to the view of vikings in popular culture and the afterlife of the Nordic myths in modern fantasy using examples from Tolkien and Neil Gaiman. All readings are in modern English translations. ________________________________________________________________________ Instructor: Bettina Sejbjerg Sommer Telephone: 61 69 69 73 E-mail: bss@dis.dk Bettina Sommer is Mag. Art. in the History of Religion, University of Copenhagen 2006. She is a specialist in Nordic Religion and Scandinavian Folklore and has published articles on Nordic Religion in periodicals. Teaches European Storytelling and Nordic Mythology at DIS. Teaches Nordic Mythology at the University of Copenhagen. With DIS since 2006. DIS Contact Sanne Rasmussen, Program Coordinator, European Humanities Department, sra@dis.dk Office Hours By appointment. Please call between 10 AM and 10 PM. Class Format Lectures, questions and answers, and class discussion. Field studies, presentations, quizzes, and research papers. Nordic Mythology | DIS – Study Abroad In Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: History, Literature, Religious Studies 1 Draft Syllabus Objectives This course, taught at the upper-division level, is an introduction to the religion and mythology of the pre-Christian Norsemen, especially from the Viking Age, through the study of literary and mythological texts (the Prose and Poetic Eddas, sagas, and contemporary eyewitness accounts), runes, legal texts as well as archaeological findings. At the end of the course, students should be able to: - Read and identify primary sources of Nordic Mythology. - Read and classify the varieties of Icelandic Saga-literature. - Name and identify the characteristics of the main Nordic deities as they are reflected in the sources. - Obtain an understanding of how the view of vikings is continually re-invented and employed in modern popular culture. - Achieve an understanding of the influence of Nordic mythology on the genre of Fantasy and how the mythology is re-interpreted in modern works of literature. - Demonstrate an understanding of the world-view and culture of the Scandinavian Viking Age. - Distinguish and critically analyze the main problem-fields of Nordic Mythology. - Demonstrate a knowledge of the main theoretical approaches to mythology. - Compose a research paper which will demonstrate ability to analyze a problem and to apply the appropriate theoretical approaches to the proper sources. Content The course will begin with a brief introduction to the origins of the Vikings and to the realm of Nordic mythology. We will begin a detailed study of the pre-Christian Norse myths with Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda, comparing Snorri’s version of the myths as found in Eddic poetry. We will evaluate Snorri’s attitude to his mythological material and discuss possible Christian influences. Next we will consider and evaluate our sources of Viking Age people, their cults and religion, in light of recent archeological discoveries which have dramatically altered our perception of this religion. We will read the Saga of Hrolf Kraki and examine its fairy-tale elements as well as its connection to the Beowulf epic, and we will visit the actual site where these epics supposedly have taken place. Lastly we will explore how the view of vikings in popular movie representations has changed over time, and how Nordic mythology has inspired the authors J.R.R. Tolkien and Neil Gaiman and has been re-interpreted by them both in different ways. Field trips to museums and archaeological sites will help us reconstruct Viking spiritual life. No previous courses in mythology are necessary. Nordic Mythology | DIS – Study Abroad In Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: History, Literature, Religious Studies 2 Draft Syllabus Course Evaluation 15-minute quiz 15% 2 page short essay 15% 10 minute presentation on a particular topic: 20% Class attendance and participation 20% Final paper (5-6 pages): 30% PLEASE NOTE: All written assignments, quizzes and exams MUST be completed to pass course. Reading Assignments The reading for each class meeting is indicated in the attached syllabus. It is assumed that students are prepared and will be active participants in class discussion. Please always bring the assigned readings to class as well as this syllabus. Field Trips Tuesday May 29th: All-day field study trip to the Ladby viking ship burial, the temple location at Tissø and the Viking fortress in Trelleborg. Duration: approx. between 10 am and 5 pm, subject to change. Tuesday June 5th: All-day field study trip to the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, including sailing replica viking ships. Also the Beowulf/Hrolf Kraki location at Gl. Lejre and Lejre, Land of Legends. Duration: approx. between 10 am and 5 pm, subject to change. Please note that participation in all field trips is an integral part of the course and as such is mandatory without exception. Disabilities Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should immediately contact Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations. Attendance You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled. If you miss multiple classes the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness, but in the case of multiple absences you will need to provide a doctor’s note. Nordic Mythology | DIS – Study Abroad In Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: History, Literature, Religious Studies 3 Draft Syllabus Academic Honesty Concerning plagiarism and violating the rules of an assignment: DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions. Laptops In the interest of concentration and participation, the use of laptops will not be permitted in this class. Note-taking will have to be on paper. I expect your understanding and cooperation in this. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off and stored away. If for some reason you feel that you require a laptop for note-taking, please talk to me, and an arrangement can possibly be made, provided that you sit in the front row. Schedule is subject to change if necessary with as much notice as possible. Nordic Mythology | DIS – Study Abroad In Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: History, Literature, Religious Studies 4 Draft Syllabus Required Reading Notice: the poems listed as readings in your syllabus, i.e., the poems from the Poetic Edda, are not compulsary reading before each class. They are difficult to understand and we will go over them in class, but you are welcome to read them before class if you want. All other listed readings are required reading before each class. Davidson, H.R. Ellis: Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1964. Sturluson, Snorri: The Prose Edda. Trans. Jean I. Young. Berkeley: Univ. of California Press, 1971. The Poetic Edda. Trans. Carolyne Larrington. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996 The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki. Trans. Jesse L. Byock. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1998. Tolkien, J.R.R: The Hobbit. London: HarperCollins, 2006 Gailman, Neil: The Sandman: Season of Mists. New York City, Vertigo, 2011 Text Collection (binder): Notice: not all binder texts are required reading. 1. Excerpt from Peter Madsen et al, “Valhalla 1. Ulven er løs”. Bagsværd, 1979, pp. 3-10. Transl. Bettina Sommer. 2. "Runes". Excerpts from Haugen, Einar, The Scandinavian Languages. Cambridge 1976, pp. 148-149, 170-173, 226-227. 3. Excerpts from Snorri Sturluson, "The Ynglinga Saga" (in Snorri's Heimskringla, 1220's). Net edn., Berkeley Digital Library SunSITE. a. "1. Of the Situation of Countries"; b. "2. Of the People of Asia", "3. Of Odin's Brothers"; c. "4. Of Odin's War with the People of Vanaland"; d. "5. Odin Divides his Kingdom: also concerning Gefion"; e. "6. Of Odin's Accomplishments", "7. Of Odin's Feats", "8. Odin's Lawgiving"; f. "9. Of Njord's Marriage"; g. "10. Of Odin's death". 4. "King Gautrek". In: Pálsson, Hermann and Edwards, Paul (ed. and transl.), Seven Viking Romances. Harmondsworth (Penguin Books) 1985, pp. 154-169. 5. “The Funeral of the Rus-Chief”. Excerpt from Ibn Fadlan: Risala. Translated by Tina Sass. Full text in German translation in Togan, Ahmed Zeki Validi, Ibn Fadlân's Reisebericht, Abhandlungen für die Kunde des Morgenlandes 23,4, Leipzig 1939. 6. Excerpts from Beowulf. A Dual-language edition. Trans. Howell D. Chickering. New York, Anchor Books, 1977. 7. “Dream of the Rood”. Trans. Richard Hamer, 1970. http://www.english.ox.ac.uk/oecoursepack/rood/translations/hamer.html 8. Thietmar of Merseburg's Chronicle (ca. 1018), I, 9, on the cult at Lejre. Transl. L. Hemmingsen. Nordic Mythology | DIS – Study Abroad In Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: History, Literature, Religious Studies 5 Draft Syllabus 9. Adam of Bremen, Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum (ca.