historiography, warfare in literature, reception studies, conversion from paganism to Christianity in Europe, Source criticism, Tolkien, Icelandic Sagas
Teaching
courses taught
SCAN 1202 - Tolkien's Nordic Sources and the Lord of the Rings
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Examines the Nordic aspect of J.R.R. Tolkien's work, especially The Lord of the Rings. Concentrates on the Nordic saga tradition, mythology, folklore and fairy tales Tolkien used as his sources. Students will explore the transformations of these sources from prehistoric times to contemporary cinematic adaptations, while paying special attention to cultural appropriations, national revisions and political alterations. Taught in English.
SCAN 2202 - The Viking Age
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2024
Examines the social, political, technological, spiritual, and artistic background to the Viking Age, asking how Scandinavian society functioned in the Viking Age, why the Scandinavian expansion occurred, and what its lasting effects have been on the global stage. Taught in English.
SCAN 3202 - Old Norse Mythology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Presents Old Norse mythology as it is represented in medieval Nordic literature. Discusses strategies for analyzing Old Norse mythology as medieval literature that reflects social narratives in Scandinavia in the period 500-1300 AD. Interprets and contextualizes Old Norse mythology in relation to its codification in literature. Students will gain insight into the historical development and the complexity of transmission of Old Norse mythology in medieval literature and its subsequent reception in the global public. Taught in English.
SCAN 3204 - Medieval Icelandic Sagas
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
Advanced introduction to medieval Icelandic saga with readings in the family, outlaw, skald, and legendary sagas as well as the main scholarly approaches to this unique literature. Topics include honor, blood feud, fate, sexuality/gender, oral composition, and legend. Taught in English.
SCAN 3205 - Scandinavian Folk Narrative
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Introduces the rich tradition of Scandinavian oral narrative. Looks at relationships between the various genres of oral narrative and their historical, social, and cultural contexts. Genres studied may include ballad, fairy tale, rural legend, and urban legend. Explores various interpretive methodologies. Taught in English.
