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NFI4402 - Current Research in Medieval Studies II with focus on Literary sources

Course content

The course has its roots in the interdisciplinary research project "Transformations in the Viking and Norse Middle Ages c. 750-1350", an interdisciplinary co-work at the Faculty of Humanities. The project aims to identify and analyze the cultural transformations that took place in Scandinavia and the North Atlantic territories in the period from c. 750-1350. The religious, cultural, political and economic fields are to be examined with reference to synchronic and diachronic variations in mentality, view of the world, power structures, economic structures, social organizations, and literary and artistic production. The project is structured around four sub-projects: 1) Myths, cults and landscapes, 2) Imagery and its applications, 3) The written word, 4) the local community.
It is an objective that the research underway shall manifest itself in the teaching and that Master’s Degree students shall be given the opportunity to write Master’s dissertations in connection with the project. More detailed specification of the content is dependent upon the students’ interests within the framework of the project and upon the researchers who go into the course at any time with their research-related teaching. This specification is undertaken just before the start of the course.

Learning outcomes

Students are to acquire a profound knowledge of the culture of the Viking Period and Middle Ages in the light of the concept of transformation. They are to be given insight into what it means to do research in the humanities; they are to develop a capacity for analysis and independent thinking when it comes to the relationship to primary sources and secondary literature. They are to be socialized into a research community and thus provided with a foundation on which to build in their work on their own Master’s Degree dissertation.

Admission

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

Formal prerequisites

Admission to a Master program

Recommended prior knowledge

This course builds on previous knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in West-European Medieval Studies or another Bachelor’s Degree with a major within a discipline that covers the Viking Period or Nordic Middle Ages.

Teaching

The teaching will to a great extent be group teaching in the form of seminars (7 dbt) and/or individual tutorials. In addition students are to follow the activities taking place under the auspices of the research project: seminars, conferences and guest lectures. Students must write an individual semester paper. Work on the assignment is to take place throughout the semester; the preparatory work and draft are to be presented at seminars, and the students are to respond to one another’s work.

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 student’s work is assessed by a trial lecture. The subject of the lecture is to be agreed between the student and teacher in co-operation.

Language of examination

The lecture can be held in English or Scandinavian

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 .

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".

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