UCL Medieval and Renaissance Studies

UCL Medieval and Renaissance Studies

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Advanced Old Icelandic Literature

Course code: SCANGM06.

Credits: 30 credits.

This course is designed to introduce students to a wide range of Old Norse-Icelandic literature, including less commonly read genres, and encompassing both prose and poetry. There are no set texts: texts and topics to be studied will be agreed by negotiation among the class at the start of the year. Accordingly, the programme will vary from one year to the next and can be adapted to meet the particular interests of the group.

This course requires reading knowledge of Old Icelandic (at least one year of prior study). Candidates’ linguistic ability will be tested in the examination alongside their knowledge and understanding of Old Norse-Icelandic literature.

Assessment: one 5,000 word essay; one 3-hour examination.

Course tutor: Christopher Abram, Scandinavian Studies Department.

Time and location: The course comprises 40 hours of seminars. Please contact Christopher Abram to check its availability and to discuss your suitability for this course.

Preparatory reading: Students may like to read the following by way of preparation for the course: Margaret Clunies Ross (ed.), Old Icelandic Literature and Society (Cambridge, 2000); Jónas Kristjánsson, Eddas and Sagas: Iceland’s Medieval Literature (Reykjavík, 1988); and Rory McTurk (ed.), A Companion to Old Norse-Icelandic Literature and Culture (Oxford, 2007).