VMS4102 – Saga Narrative
Course content
This course focuses on the development of Old Norse saga literature based on the reading of a selection of texts in the original language and translation, mainly from the kings` sagas, sagas of Icelanders and legendary sagas (fornaldars?gur). Structure, intertextual relationships and prosimetrum (the connection between poetry and prose) will be of central importance.
Other topics to be presented and discussed include: the relation between realism and fiction, textual criticism, oral tradition and authorship.
Learning outcome
After successfully concluding this course you will:
- Be able to point to characteristic features in the development of saga literature
- Know the most important stylistic features of realistic and fantastic saga literature
- Possess some knowledge about the composition of saga literature
- Have a critical and informed insight into saga scholarship, both contemporary and from a historical perspective
Formal prerequisite knowledge
One should be able to read Old Norse literary texts in the original, and the course presupposes a good knowledge of Old Norse grammar on the level of NFI1101 – Norr?n grammatikk og eldre spr?khistorie or NFI4120 – Old Norse - Language and Texts.
One should also have an overview of Old Norse litterature equivalent of NFI1320 – Norr?n litteratur 1 (Nordisk litteratur fram til 1500).
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with VMS2102 – Saga Narrative.
Teaching
The teaching is given in 14 double seminars. Teaching takes place throughout the semester.
Written qualification assignments must be approved by the subject teacher before students can sit for the exam.
The qualification assignment is a folder consisting of 10 shorter philological assignments. Students are given assignments for each week (14 weeks of teaching), and it is mandatory to submit at least 10 of these. The assignments must be handed in by set deadlines each week and will be discussed in class. At least 8 out of 10 submissions must be approved for the student to be able to sit for the exam.
It is otherwise expected that students are prepared to actively participate in the class.
Approved obligatory assignments are valid the next two times the course is given.
Access to teachingA student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
The final examination will be a trial lecture.
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.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.