The Medieval Icelandic Sagas from edX

The Medieval Icelandic Sagas is an introductory course on the single most characteristic literary genre of Medieval Iceland. Mainly written in the 13th century, the Icelandic Sagas are comprised of roughly 40 texts of varying length.

In this course, you will learn about three Sagas, written at different times, with the aim of giving an overview of the writing period and the genre as a whole. These are Eyrbyggja Saga, Njáls Saga and Grettis Saga. We will explore the landscape and archaeology of Iceland to see how they can add to our understanding of the Sagas as well as take an in-depth look at the most memorable characters from the Sagas.

Participants will have opportunities to engage with an online community of Icelandic and international scholars, learners and others to explore topics relating to Icelandic and Nordic Medieval history beyond the course curriculum.

The Medieval Icelandic Sagas course is associated with a two-year international master’s program in Viking and Medieval Norse Studies at the University of Iceland.

What you'll learn

The history of Saga research since the 19th century.
The fundamentals of Old Norse textual criticism.
The benefits of exploring landscape and archaeological finds when reading the Sagas.
Some of the most important character archetypes that reoccur in the Sagas.
The interplay of Norse mythology and Christianity in the Sagas.
Aspects of the supernatural in the Sagas.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The history of saga research since the 19th century.
The fundamentals of old norse textual criticism.
The benefits of exploring landscape and archaeological finds when reading the sagas.

Some of the most important character archetypes that reoccur in the sagas.
The interplay of norse mythology and christianity in the sagas.
Aspects of the supernatural in the sagas.

The history of saga research since the 19th century.
The fundamentals of old norse textual criticism.
The benefits of exploring landscape and archaeological finds when reading the sagas.
Some of the most important character archetypes that reoccur in the sagas.
The interplay of norse mythology and christianity in the sagas.
Aspects of the supernatural in the sagas.

Syllabus

Week 1 : Historical overview. We explore what is unique about the Sagas as a genre, compare some contrasting views on their origin and examine how the Sagas are related to other works of European Medieval literature.

Week 2 : Manuscripts. We get an overview of the world of Old Norse manuscripts and talk to some experts of Icelandic textual criticism about the extant (and lost) manuscripts of our three main Sagas.

Week 3 : Landscape and Archaeology. We visit a few of the most important historical sites of Iceland and ask how they can add to our understanding of the Sagas.

Week 4 : Saga Characters. We meet some memorable characters from our three main Sagas and look at their careers and conflicts. By contextualizing their biographies we come to understand the functioning of the Medieval Icelandic Commonwealth.

Week 5 : Paganism and Christianity. We ask how traces of Norse Mythology can be interpreted in the Sagas, even if they are written over two hundred years after paganism officially comes to a close in Iceland. We evaluate the impact of Iceland's conversion and how it is described in the Sagas.

Week 6 : The Supernatural. We address the profusion of supernatural elements, the contradiction at the core of the Sagas' presumed realism.

Good to know

Know what's good

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Introduces the fundamental concepts of Medieval Icelandic Sagas and familiarizes learners with this significant literary genre

Provides an overview of the writing period and explores the evolution of the genre through analysis of Eyrbyggja Saga, Njáls Saga, and Grettis Saga

Integrates landscape and archaeological findings to enhance understanding of the historical context and setting of the Sagas

Engages learners with an online community of experts, fostering discussions and sharing of diverse perspectives

Enhances critical thinking by examining the motivations and actions of memorable characters within the Sagas

Builds a strong foundation in Old Norse textual criticism, providing essential tools for further research and exploration of the Sagas

Reviews summary

Fascinating icelandic sagas course

Learners say this introductory course about Icelandic Sagas is fascinating. Through lectures, readings, podcasts, and links to additional resources, instructors explain Norse culture, the history of Iceland, and the importance of medieval manuscripts. Students say this course is a great way to learn about Icelandic culture, literature, and history.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Medieval Icelandic Sagas with these activities:

Review key concepts and terminology related to medieval Icelandic Sagas

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Refreshing your knowledge of key concepts and terminology helps ensure a strong foundation for your studies in this course.

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Review course materials and textbooks to identify key concepts and terminology
Create flashcards or use online tools to memorize definitions and terms
Practice using the key concepts and terminology in written or oral discussions

Participate in a study group focused on medieval Icelandic Sagas

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Engaging in collaborative learning through a study group provides a supportive environment to discuss complex concepts, share insights, and reinforce your understanding of the Sagas.

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Find or form a study group with fellow students taking this course
Set regular meeting times and establish a clear agenda for each session
Take turns presenting on different aspects of the Sagas and facilitating discussions

Compile a resource list of websites, articles, and books related to medieval Icelandic Sagas

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Creating a compilation of resources provides a valuable reference tool that you can utilize throughout your studies and beyond.

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Conduct research to identify reputable websites, articles, and books related to medieval Icelandic Sagas
Organize the resources into categories or topics for easy reference
Create a digital or physical document that includes the list of resources and their descriptions

Two other activities

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Assist other learners with their exploration of the Medieval Icelandic Sagas

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Mentoring other learners provides an opportunity to reinforce your own knowledge, develop your communication skills, and contribute to the learning community.

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Identify opportunities to assist fellow students or learners in online forums or social media groups
Offer guidance, answer questions, and share resources related to the Medieval Icelandic Sagas
Provide constructive feedback and encouragement to support others' learning journeys

Write a short story set in medieval Iceland

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Creating a short story set in medieval Iceland allows you to apply your knowledge of the Sagas' characters, setting, and themes in a creative and engaging way.

Browse courses on Norse Mythology

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Research medieval Icelandic history, culture, and mythology
Create a plot outline and develop characters based on your research
Write a draft of your short story
Revise and edit your story for clarity and accuracy
Share your story with others for feedback

Career center

Learners who complete The Medieval Icelandic Sagas will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas is directly related to the field of study for a Historian specializing in Medieval Scandinavia.

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Professor

Professors conduct research and teach undergraduate or graduate students in a college or university setting. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas is directly related to the field of study for a Professor of Medieval Scandinavian Literature.

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Translator

Translators convert written or spoken material from one language to another. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for developing the skills necessary to translate Old Norse texts.

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Museum Director

Museum Directors plan, organize, and manage activities of museums and related educational, research, and cultural organizations. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the historical and cultural context of some museum collections, especially those related to Nordic history and culture.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists study past peoples and cultures by excavating and examining material remains. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for providing historical context for archaeological findings related to medieval Iceland.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of humans. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the cultural and social practices of medieval Icelanders.

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Archivist

Archivists manage and preserve historical documents and records. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the methods and practices of preserving and interpreting historical texts.

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Librarian

Librarians assist patrons with finding and accessing information in libraries. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the organization and preservation of historical texts in libraries.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators plan and manage environmental control over museum collections. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the preservation and interpretation of historical artifacts, especially those related to Nordic history and culture.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research in a specific field of science. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the methods and practices of historical research, especially in relation to medieval Iceland.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and oversee marketing campaigns to promote products or services. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the principles of storytelling and narrative, which can be applied to marketing campaigns.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the historical and cultural context of news stories, especially those related to Iceland or Nordic countries.

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Writer

Writers create original written works, such as books, articles, and scripts. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the techniques and styles used in storytelling and narrative writing.

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Teacher

Secondary School Teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for providing historical and cultural context for teaching literature, history, and other humanities subjects.

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Editor

Editors review, correct, and prepare written material for publication. The Medieval Icelandic Sagas may be helpful for understanding the principles of editing and textual criticism, especially in relation to historical texts.

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