This course is no longer available, see the current course list.
MAS2303 - Vinland – Myth and reality
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Course content
The course deals with the topic of Vínland, and consists of three main topics: The first part addresses the term and myth about Insula Fortunate (The Fortunate Isles). This is a myth about a Paradise on Earth, located at some islands west of the ocean. The myth has roots in Antiquity, but is revived in an early Christian context, especially after AD 600. This concept is the origins of the Vinland myth. The second part addresses the search for, and discovery of, the Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland by Anne Stine and Helge Ingstad. The third part adresses the historiography, as well as popular and moderen myth-making concerning what is often called The Viking Discovery of America.
Learning outcomes
The students shall achieve an understanding that the Vinland phenomenon, as it is commonly known and discussed, is not limted to a few Viking ships reaching eastern Canada some time around AD 1000. Rather, the Vinland issue is part of a much larger, European (and Levanthian) myth cycle, and an essential part of the Christian mental universe, covering a period of of 1500 years. The students are expected to know about the central works in this tradition, and the historiography of the Vinland research, and the main lines of discourse. The literature, classes and seminars will be based on material from several disciplines.
Admission
Singular course students may register for the course from 15 January 2010, depending on capacity.
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Recommended prior knowledge
Some reading ability in Nordic languages will be useful, but is no absolute requirement.
Overlap
10 credits against MAS4303 - Vinland – Myth and reality.
Teaching
The teaching will be organized around the three main topics desribed above. The course consists of lectures (7 x 2 hours) and seminars (3 x 2 hours). The students’ written work is an integrated part of the course. Each seminar will be based on a group presentation, followed by a plenary discussion.
Compulsory assignments: A first draft of the semester assignment is to be submitted halfway through the semester. It is not possible to sit for the exam unless the qualification assignment has been approved.
Deadlines will be published in the detailed teaching plan. Fronter will be used in this course.
Teaching takes place throughout the semester.
Criteria for access to teaching resources
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, contingent on available capacity.
Exam information
The examination consists of an integrated assessment where the grade is given on the basis of a term paper that the student has written, under the guidance of a supervisor, during the semester (10 pages of text, 2300 letters per page, without spacing). The assignment will be available at the start of the semester.
The student must hand in an Obligatory statement regarding cheating along with the term paper.
The assessment is integrated in the course lessons and it is therefore not possible to sit for the exam unless the student is registered for the teaching component of the course.
Exam resources
No special exam resources are allowed.
Language of examination
Papers may be submitted in English or in Scandinavian languages.
Assessment and grading
Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .
Students can ask for an explanation of the grade. This must be done within a week after the grade was made known to the student. To obtain the explanation, send an e-mail to henvendelser@ikos.uio.no. It is up to the sensor whether the explanation will be given orally or in writing. The student's e-mail must contain information of an e-mail address and a telephone number he or she can be reached on.
An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.
Explanations and appeals
Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals
Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .
Exam options for students with special needs
Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation of this course
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".
Other information
This course is well suited for combination within archaeology or other disciplines dealing with European Viking and Medieval cultural history.
40 gruppe - Middelalderens kulturhistorie (40MIDKULTH)
Contact us
Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages
Visiting address:
P.A. Munchs hus level 4
Visiting hours:
Mon-Fri: 12:30 - 15:00
Postal address:
PO Box 1010 Blindern
N-0315 Oslo
Fax: 22 85 48 28
E-mail: henvendelser@ikos.uio.no
Web: http://www.hf.uio.no/ikos/