2021 Fall
SCANDIN 160 001 - LEC 001
Scandinavian Myth and Religion
Jonas Wellendorf
Class #:29988
Units: 4
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Scandinavian
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
6
Enrolled: 53
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 59
Waitlist Max: 0
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 9 hours of outside work hours per week.
Other classes by Jonas Wellendorf
Course Catalog Description
Religious beliefs and practices during the Viking Age in Scandinavia and their manifestations in later recordings. Readings and discussion in English.
Class Description
Who were the Norse gods? How do we know? How and why did they meet their end? This course presents a survey of Scandinavian myth and religion from prehistory through the conversion to Christianity in the eleventh century, as illustrated in textual and, to a lesser extent, archaeological materials. The approach will be primarily source-critical, with some use of comparative materials. By the end of the course, students should know the sources well, have an understanding of the major problems involved in the study of Scandinavian myth and religion, and be aware of the more important scholarly trends in the field. Three hours of lecture and discussion per week.
Edda by Snorri Sturluson, trans. Anthony Faulkes (1987), ISBN: 9780460876162
The Poetic Edda, trans. Carolyne Larrington (2014), 2nd ed., ISBN: 9780199675340
Abram, Christopher (2011): Myths of the Pagan North: The Gods of the Norsemen. ISBN: 9781847252470
Additional readings of primary and secondary literature will be made available through bCourses.
Prerequisites: None, although some background in folklore and mythology, religious studies, medieval literature and history, or Scandinavian culture is likely to prove helpful.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
Meets Arts & Literature, L&S Breadth
Meets Philosophy & Values, L&S Breadth
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials
Associated Sections
None