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Mathias Nordvig
This course is an introduction to the religion of the Vikings as it is recorded in Old Norse and Scandinavian literature from the medieval period. You will learn about the different written sources and what they can teach us about pre-Christian religion in northern Europe in the Viking Age. The course surveys the primary collection of Old Norse poetry about the pre-Christian Scandinavian gods, the Poetic Edda. We will also work with the main collections of stories about the Old Norse gods in prose: Snorri Sturluson's Edda and Saxo's History of the Danes.
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What's inside
Syllabus
Introduction
In this module you will learn about the history and background of Old Norse mythology. You will gain insight into the source background to Old Norse mythology, the relevant historical developments in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, and the interplay between pre-Christian religion and Christian interpretation in the sources. You will be introduced to the Old Norse sources that inform our understanding of pre-Christian and Viking Age religion in Scandinavia: Eddic poetry, skaldic poetry, Snorri's Edda, and runic inscriptions.
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Syllabus
Introduction
In this module you will learn about the history and background of Old Norse mythology. You will gain insight into the source background to Old Norse mythology, the relevant historical developments in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, and the interplay between pre-Christian religion and Christian interpretation in the sources. You will be introduced to the Old Norse sources that inform our understanding of pre-Christian and Viking Age religion in Scandinavia: Eddic poetry, skaldic poetry, Snorri's Edda, and runic inscriptions.
Read more
The Eddic Poems
In this module you will learn about the primary family of gods in Norse mythology, the Æsir. There are many Æsir but very few of them have stories attached to them. You will learn about the ones that appear most in Snorri Sturluson's Edda and in the Eddic poems: Odin, Thor, Loki and a few others.
Additional Sources
In this module you will learn about the secondary family of gods in Norse mythology, the Vanir. They are hardly to be considered less important than the Æsir, but especially in Snorri's Christianized version of the mythology, the Vanir's role is diminished. Here you will learn about the primary Vanir: Njörðr, Freyr and Freyja.
Final Assessment
In this final assessment module you will demonstrate that you have learned the important aspects of the course in Norse mythology.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Explores Norse mythology, which is highly relevant to Germanic, Scandinavian, and European history
Surveys primary collections of Old Norse poetry and prose about pre-Christian Scandinavian gods
Taught by Mathias Nordvig, who is a recognized expert in Norse mythology
Requires extensive background knowledge in Old Norse mythology
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Save Old Norse Mythology in the Sources to your list so you can find it easily later:
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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 Old Norse Mythology in the Sources with these
activities:
Review ancient religious texts
Show steps
Reviewing ancient religious texts will help you familiarize yourself with the source material and understand the context of Norse mythology.
Browse courses on
Norse Mythology
Show steps
-
Read the Poetic Edda
-
Read the Prose Edda
-
Read Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum
Watch online lectures on Norse mythology
Show steps
Watching online lectures on Norse mythology will provide you with a structured and informative overview of the subject.
Show steps
-
Find reputable online lectures
-
Take notes on the lectures
-
Discuss the lectures with a friend or fellow student
Read Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology
Show steps
Reading Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology will provide you with a modern and accessible introduction to the Norse gods and their stories.
Show steps
-
Read the book
-
Take notes on the major characters and events
-
Discuss the book with a friend or fellow student
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a glossary of Norse mythology terms
Show steps
Creating a glossary of Norse mythology terms will help you build your vocabulary and understanding of the subject.
Show steps
-
Identify the key terms in Norse mythology
-
Define each term in your own words
-
Organize the terms into a glossary
Create a family tree of the Norse gods
Show steps
Creating a family tree of the Norse gods will help you understand their relationships and connections.
Show steps
-
Identify the major Norse gods
-
Research their relationships
-
Create a visual representation of the family tree
Join a study group on Norse mythology
Show steps
Joining a study group on Norse mythology will allow you to connect with other students, share insights, and deepen your understanding of the subject.
Show steps
-
Find a study group
-
Attend study group meetings
-
Participate in discussions
Translate Old Norse texts
Show steps
Translating Old Norse texts will help you develop your language skills and gain a deeper understanding of Norse mythology.
Show steps
-
Learn the basics of Old Norse grammar
-
Practice translating simple sentences
-
Translate a short Old Norse text
Create a digital timeline of Norse mythology
Show steps
Creating a digital timeline of Norse mythology will help you visualize the major events and characters in the mythology.
Show steps
-
Gather information about the major events and characters in Norse mythology
-
Create a digital timeline using a tool like Timeline.js or KnightLab
-
Share your timeline with others
Review ancient religious texts
Show steps
Reviewing ancient religious texts will help you familiarize yourself with the source material and understand the context of Norse mythology.
Browse courses on
Norse Mythology
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the Poetic Edda
- Read the Prose Edda
- Read Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum
Watch online lectures on Norse mythology
Show steps
Watching online lectures on Norse mythology will provide you with a structured and informative overview of the subject.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find reputable online lectures
- Take notes on the lectures
- Discuss the lectures with a friend or fellow student
Read Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology
Show steps
Reading Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology will provide you with a modern and accessible introduction to the Norse gods and their stories.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book
- Take notes on the major characters and events
- Discuss the book with a friend or fellow student
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a glossary of Norse mythology terms
Show steps
Creating a glossary of Norse mythology terms will help you build your vocabulary and understanding of the subject.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the key terms in Norse mythology
- Define each term in your own words
- Organize the terms into a glossary
Create a family tree of the Norse gods
Show steps
Creating a family tree of the Norse gods will help you understand their relationships and connections.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the major Norse gods
- Research their relationships
- Create a visual representation of the family tree
Join a study group on Norse mythology
Show steps
Joining a study group on Norse mythology will allow you to connect with other students, share insights, and deepen your understanding of the subject.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a study group
- Attend study group meetings
- Participate in discussions
Translate Old Norse texts
Show steps
Translating Old Norse texts will help you develop your language skills and gain a deeper understanding of Norse mythology.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Learn the basics of Old Norse grammar
- Practice translating simple sentences
- Translate a short Old Norse text
Create a digital timeline of Norse mythology
Show steps
Creating a digital timeline of Norse mythology will help you visualize the major events and characters in the mythology.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather information about the major events and characters in Norse mythology
- Create a digital timeline using a tool like Timeline.js or KnightLab
- Share your timeline with others
Career center
Learners who complete Old Norse Mythology in the Sources will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Scandinavian Studies Professor
Scandinavian Studies Professor
A Scandinavian Studies Professor teaches college or university courses in Scandinavian culture, language, history, and literature, including Old Norse mythology. This course is directly relevant to the field of Scandinavian Studies and would be very helpful for a Scandinavian Studies Professor.
Professor
Professor
A Professor teaches college or university courses in a specific subject area and conducts research in their field. This course may be useful to a Professor by helping them gain a deeper understanding of the primary collection of Old Norse poetry about pre-Christian Scandinavian gods, as well as the stories about the Old Norse gods in prose.
Religious Studies Professor
Religious Studies Professor
A Religious Studies Professor teaches college or university courses in religious studies and conducts research in their field. This course may be useful to a Religious Studies Professor by helping them to gain a deeper understanding of the religion of the Vikings, their gods and goddesses, and the beliefs and practices of the people of that time period.
Theology Professor
Theology Professor
A Theology Professor teaches college or university courses in theology and conducts research in their field. This course may be useful to a Theology Professor by helping them gain a deeper understanding of the religion of the Vikings, their gods and goddesses, and the beliefs and practices of the people of that time period.
Historian
Historian
A Historian researches, analyzes, interprets, and writes about the past by studying historical documents and sources. This course may be useful to a Historian, because it teaches the history and background of Old Norse mythology, the relevant historical developments in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, and the interplay between pre-Christian religion and Christian interpretation in the sources.
Researcher
Researcher
A Researcher conducts original research in a specific field, analyzes data, and writes reports and articles about their findings. This course may be useful to a Researcher, as it teaches the history and background of Old Norse mythology, the relevant historical developments in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, and the interplay between pre-Christian religion and Christian interpretation in the sources.
Folklorist
Folklorist
A Folklorist researches, collects, analyzes, and publishes folklore such as tales, songs, and beliefs. This course may be useful to a Folklorist, as it teaches the primary collection of Old Norse poetry about pre-Christian Scandinavian gods and collects stories about the Old Norse gods in prose.
Museum Educator
Museum Educator
A Museum Educator develops and implements educational programs and activities for museum visitors. This course may be useful to a Museum Educator, because it teaches the history and background of Old Norse mythology, the relevant historical developments in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, and the interplay between pre-Christian religion and Christian interpretation in the sources.
Writer
Writer
A Writer creates written content, such as articles, books, poems, plays, and scripts. This course may be useful to a Writer by helping them gain a deeper understanding of the religion of the Vikings, their gods and goddesses, and the beliefs and practices of the people of that time period.
Archivist
Archivist
An Archivist is responsible for maintaining, preserving, and cataloging the documents or pieces within a specific collection, ensuring that the collection is accessible to researchers and other interested parties. Studying Old Norse Mythology can be useful for an Archivist in understanding the historical context of many cultural artifacts.
Social Studies Teacher
Social Studies Teacher
A Social Studies Teacher plans, prepares, and delivers instruction in social studies, including history, geography, economics, and civics. This course may be useful to a Social Studies Teacher by helping them understand the cultural context of Old Norse literature and mythology and how it has influenced Scandinavian culture.
Language Arts Teacher
Language Arts Teacher
A Language Arts Teacher plans, prepares, and delivers instruction in language arts, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This course may be useful to a Language Arts Teacher by helping them understand the cultural context of Old Norse literature and mythology.
Curator
Curator
A Curator is responsible for planning and managing environmental control over museum collections. Work may include preservation, documentation, display, and interpretation of museum collections. This course may be useful to a Curator, because it teaches the religion of the Vikings, their gods and goddesses, and the beliefs and practices of the people of that time period.
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
An Archaeologist researches and preserves the material remains of past human cultures by excavating sites, analyzing artifacts, and studying written records. This course may be useful to an Archaeologist, because it teaches the religion of the Vikings, their gods and goddesses, and the beliefs and practices of the people of that time period.
Librarian
Librarian
A Librarian helps library patrons find the information they need, assists researchers, and manages the library's collection of books, journals, and other materials. This course may be useful to a Librarian, because it teaches the religion of the Vikings, their gods and goddesses, and the beliefs and practices of the people of that time period.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/zk9fvw/old
Reading list
We've selected 11 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Old Norse Mythology in the Sources.
A collection of prose stories that tell the stories of the Norse gods and heroes. This is another important source of information about Norse mythology.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Old Norse religion, from its origins to its interactions with other religions.
A classic work on Norse mythology, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the subject. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating subject.
Save
A comprehensive guide to Norse mythology, this book covers the gods, heroes, rituals, and beliefs of the Vikings. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating subject.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Vikings and their origins, including the archaeology, history, and culture of Scandinavia in the first millennium.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Viking Age, including the early history, manners, and customs of the ancestors of the English-speaking nations.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Vikings in the West, including their history, culture, and society.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Anglo-Saxons, including their history, culture, and society.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Viking world, including the history, culture, and society of the Vikings.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Vikings, including their history, culture, and society.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Viking Age, including a collection of primary sources and essays by leading scholars.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/zk9fvw/old
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Effort
Three to five hours a week for three weeks, plus a final assessment.
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado Boulder
Instructor
Mathias Nordvig
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
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Deutsch
Italiano
中文
العربية
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Good to know
Explores Norse mythology, which is highly relevant to Germanic, Scandinavian, and European history
Surveys primary collections of Old Norse poetry and prose about pre-Christian Scandinavian gods
Taught by Mathias Nordvig, who is a recognized expert in Norse mythology
Requires extensive background knowledge in Old Norse mythology
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