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.
Old Norse Mythology in the Sources
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
370 reviews
Beginner level
Recommended experience
Flexible schedule
6 hours to complete
Learn at your own pace
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Most learners liked this course
What you'll learn
Identify the differences in literary representation of Old Norse myths in medieval literature and the pre-Christian religion
Understand the processes underlying the codification of Old Norse mythology, and how the literature was interpreted in Christianity
Describe the key elements and features of Old Norse mythology and understand how Old Norse mythology came into existence as medieval literature
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Taught in English
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There are 4 modules in this course
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Showing 3 of 370
AR
Reviewed on Aug 17, 2022
This covers the basics of the myths and establishes a basic understanding of the historical and cultural context and knowledge that we currently have surrounding the sources.
BK
Reviewed on Nov 16, 2022
Really enjoyed a different perspective than the minor in scandinavian studies I took in undergrad. Wish there was more reading of the actual stories instead of recaps!
DF
Reviewed on Jul 31, 2022
Very interesting and well done. My only negative is that I would like to have 2 chances on the quizzzes before having to wait 24 hours.
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