NFI2501 – North Sea cultural encounters in the Middle Ages
Course content
This course aims to explore and give an overview of cultural contact between the Norse population and the populations of Ireland and England in the Middle Ages. You will be introduced to language, texts and writing in the three cultures, as well as the historical background of the North Sea as a region of cultural contact and diffusion.
The encounters between these cultures had consequences for the development of literary traditions: narratives, writing, and book production. We therefore look at samples of the languages of the period: Old Norse, Old English and Old Irish. A main focus of the course is to consider how of these three cultures developed through coming into contact with each other, and how both society and individuals were affected by this contact.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you:
- can give an overview of these three cultures in the Middle Ages: the historical background, the main features of the languages, and the textual cultures of these areas.
- can describe the main similarities and differences between them
- can analyse the consequences of these cultural encounters on society and on individuals
Admission to the course
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.
Teaching
One hour lecture and one hour group sessions per week for fourteen weeks, 28 hours in all. The students are expected to participate actively and prepare presentations of source texts as well as research articles.
A qualifying paper has to be approved before the student may take the final exam
Approved compulsory activites are valid for the next two terms in which the course is offered
Examination
The final examination is a three-day take-home exam.
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Bachelor students in European Languages, programme option English, taking this course must write their exam paper in English.
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.
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.