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  • Contact Info

Raggio, Avedan

Instructor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

keywords

  • 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 - 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 3202 - Old Norse Mythology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
    Surveys the mythology and heathen cult practices of the Old Norse world. Students learn to read mythological texts and study the major gods (Odin, Thor, Frey and Freyja, among others), along with other mythological beings. Examines and evaluates evidence for beliefs and cult practices in texts, art, archeological finds and other sources. Taught in English.
  • SCAN 3204 - Medieval Icelandic Sagas
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 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 - 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.

International Activities

geographic focus