Courses Taught
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The Vikings
Course Description:
At the end of the seventh century, the stable kingdoms which had formed out of the remains of the Roman Empire suddenly found themselves under attack by raiders from the North. These "Northmen," known to us as the Vikings, are described by contemporary writers in horrific and terrifying terms. Even today, there are scholars who see the Vikings as little more than plunderers and destroyers. But archaeological excavations and sources written by the Norse and Danes themselves have shown that there was far more to the Scandinavians than the Vikings raiders. Their roles as explorers, merchants, craftsmen, and town-builders will examined in this course.
Course Objectives:
The aim of this course is to explore both the reputation and the reality of the Vikings from 750-1066. The emphasis in this course will be on using primary sources, sources which actually come to us from the Middle Ages, to understand how the Vikings viewed themselves and their world, as well as how others viewed them. Students will analyze secondary sources in terms of the information from primary sources, and will do so in writing and re-writing argumentative papers.
Readings:
Readings for this course have included Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, Asser's Life of King Alfred, Njals Saga, Encomium Emmae Reginae, King Harald's Saga, and The Russian Primary Chronicle
Grade:
In the past, grades for this course have been based upon:
2 short argumentative papers
Midterm examination I
Midterm examination II
movie review
research paper
class participation |
20%
20%
20%
5%
20%
15% |
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