COURSE FORMAT: 

Two classes (1.5 hours) per week, mixed seminars/lectures format

COURSE SYNOPSIS:

In the ninth century northern Europe and the north Atlantic were transformed by the remarkable exertions of Scandinavian raiders, navigators, invaders and settlers and the political, religious and cultural forces that these ‘vikings’ unleashed. This course examines this fascinating epoch in medieval history by assessing the Scandinavian impact across northern Europe (including a detailed case study of Britain and Ireland) and the Scandinavian cultural background that gave rise to the viking phenomenon. Throughout the course there is an emphasis on reading and assessing the value of medieval sources, with a focus on Eiríks saga rauða, Eirik the Red’s Saga.

TEXTS AND OTHER RESOURCES:

• Somerville, A. A. and R. A. McDonald, The Vikings and their age (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2013)
• Somerville, A. A. and R. A. McDonald, (eds.), The Viking Age: a reader, 2nd edition (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2014)

METHODS OF EVALUATION AND GRADE-WEIGHTINGS:

• Mike the Knight and the vikings - 15%
• Erik’s saga analysis - 25%
• Erik’s saga essay - 25%
• seminar work - 10%
• final exam (remote) - 25%

*Please note: This is a preliminary web course description only. The Department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline is distributed in the first class of the semester.

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