Lecture (LEC)

• COLL (CASE) A&H Breadth of Inq

• COLL (CASE) A&H Breadth of Inquiry credit

GER-E 361 - Vikings and Sagas¿ Course Description Who were the Vikings? Do the images of Vikings in your head match up with the facts, and is their portrayal in popular culture at all rooted in reality? This course is designed to answer these and other questions regarding the history, literature, language, and culture of those whom we refer to as "Vikings." In addition to reading several full sagas from The Sagas of the Icelanders (Thorsson et al: 2000), we will look at excerpts from the prose and poetic Edda and turn to historical data and archeological evidence to fill in the gaps, corroborate the tales, and debunk myths (especially those myths that have fueled and been fed by the misappropriation of this material by white supremacist movements). The Vikings (Roesdahl: 1998) and multiple scholarly articles, provided on Canvas, will serve as the secondary literature. There is no mid-term or final examination, but you will be expected to discuss both the primary and secondary literature every class period, write two position papers, contribute at times to the Canvas discussion board, give a presentation, and complete a final project in which you have the choice to write a research paper or craft your very own saga befitting the style and format of the sagas you read in this course. In the end, you will be able to wield the tools to separate fact from fiction and sail your way to a more rigorous understanding of Vikings and the sagas that keep their stories alive. Required Course Materials for you to obtain: 1. Roesdahl, Else (1998). The Vikings. Revised/2nd Edition Publisher: Penguin Books ISBN: 978-0140252828 2. Thorsson, Örnólfur et al (2000). The Sagas of the Icelanders. Publisher: Penguin Books ISBN: 978-0141000039 (Edda excerpts, scholarly articles and other readings will be provided on Canvas)