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Swedish Language Courses  —   Scandinavian 222   —   Scandinavian 520.
Why Swedish?   —   Scandinavian Studies Minor   —   Swedish and Scandinavian Program Advisor.

The Icelandic Saga

Scandinavian 513

The call number can be found on the University Registrar's Web site.

5 credit hours (GEC arts and hums lit course—taught in English)

Professor Kaplan

The Icelandic Saga

This course introduces students to the classical literature of Northern Europe: the Icelandic Sagas. The sagas have inspired Richard Wagner, Henrik Ibsen, and a long line of poets including William Morris, H. W. Longfellow, W. H. Auden, and Seamus Heaney. We will explore when, how, and why this literature was constructed as 'classical' — and why, despite this, we don't read sagas in high school. We will also learn about medieval Iceland, a society with a system of representative government unique in medieval Europe and a legal system closely related to our own. Students will find out why blood feud gets a bad rap and how women can dictate the fortunes of men without ever lifting a sword. Students will learn to analyze and interpret sagas both as literary works and ethnographic sources. Most importantly, students will learn how to read and enjoy saga prose, wherein can be found much action, intrigue, revenge, questionable legal tactics, pithy dialogue, and some of the noblest heroes and most imperious and powerful women ever to grace the page.

This course complements Scandinavian 222: Nordic Mythology and Medieval Culture. It may be of particular interest to students of Swedish language, Old English, medieval literature, and the history of law.

There are no prerequisites. GEC arts and hums lit course. Taught in English.

Textbook:

The Sagas of Icelanders. Penguin. isbn: 0141000031
Comic - law.

Viking Ship.
If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should contact your instructor to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. At the appointment, we can discuss the course format, anticipate your needs and explore potential accommodations. We rely on the Office for Disability Services for assistance in verifying the need for accommodations and developing accommodation strategies. If you have not previously contacted the Office for Disability Services, we encourage you to do so.