MAS4003 – Transformation in the Viking and Norse Middle Ages c.750-1350, I
Course content
The course has its roots in the interdisciplinary research project "Transformations in the Viking and Norse Middle Ages c. 750-1350" at the Centre for Viking and Medieval Studies. The project aims to identify and analyse 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 organisations, 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 outcome
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 socialised 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 who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Admission to a Master program.
Recommended previous 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 and 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 of roughly 10 pages with 2300 keystrokes, excluding spaces. The subject of the assignment is to be agreed between the student and teacher in co-operation. 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.
Examination
The student’s work is assessed by a semester assignment. The semester assignment is handed out in the beginning of the semester and is to be handed in at the end of the semester. The assignment is to comprise of 10 pages, á 2300 keystrokes, excluding spaces.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Students can ask for an explanation of the grade. This must be done within a week after the grade was made known to the student. To obtain the explanation, send an e-mail to middelalder-student@iakh.uio.no. It is up to the sensor whether the explanation will be given orally or in writing. The student's e-mail must contain information of an e-mail address and a telephone number he or she can be reached on.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Other
This course is first and foremost incorporated in the specialised course of study for the Master’s Degree in Nordic Viking and Medieval Culture, but is also open to students from other Master’s Degree courses with themes from the Viking Period and European Middle Ages.
The course can not be incorporated in the former system.
A selection of monographs, articles and source studies with an extent of roughly 900 pages. Individual adjustments must be made from time to time, all according to what it has been decided to concentrate on.
The teaching will be provided by researchers/teachers who are engaged in the research project.
Changes may occur.