ENG2161 – England's Viking Inheritance

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

An introductory course in history and language history, concerned chiefly with the viking period and the Norse settlements in England, and Norse elements in the English language. Additionally, the course considers possible connexions in the pre-viking period.Source criticism will be an important component, and includes texts, the interpretation of place-names, and to some extent archaeological evidence.

Learning outcome

Students should acquire some basic knowledge of the English language and the relevant cultural history ca. 800—1100, some insight into the possible developments when two languages are in close contact, and a practical introduction to the use of diverse historical and linguistic sources.

Admission

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If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

No prerequisites.

Recommended previous knowledge

The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.

Teaching

Teaching continues for the whole semester, 2 hours per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in all. All teaching and examination will be conducted in English. There is a mid-term break (one week in autumn term, two weeks in spring term) during which the students are expected to prepare obligatory assignments and otherwise study on their own.

Examination

Students are required to deliver a term paper of ca. 10 standard pages. The first draft is to be delivered after the reading week(s). The draft will be assessed by the teacher, and a final version is to be delivered ca. 2 weeks after teaching ends. Evaluation will be based on the term paper, on a scale from A to E (pass grades) to F (failure).

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Teaching
Examination
Teaching language
English