2023 Summer Session A
6 weeks, May 22 - June 30
SCANDIN R5B 001 - LEC 001
Reading and Composition
Tales of High Adventure: Magic, Quests, and Romance in the Medieval North
Michael David Lawson
May 22, 2023 - Jun 30, 2023
Tu, We, Th
10:00 am - 12:29 pm
Internet/Online
Class #:13536
Units:4
Instruction Mode:
Online
Offered through
Scandinavian
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
2
Enrolled: 15
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 17
Waitlist Max: 3
No Reserved Seats
Course Catalog Description
Reading and composition in connection with the representation of Scandinavia by outsiders and insiders. Satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Class Description
“Many foolish men do not believe anything that they have not seen or heard for themselves, especially such things as are far from their own natures, like wise men’s plans, and the strength or bravery—and not less the magic powers—of men of old...”
-Sigurðar saga þögla
Starting in the thirteenth century, Norwegians began translating French and Latin romances and histories into Old Norse. Very soon thereafter, Icelanders took this narrative tradition, adding elements of their own legendary storytelling tradition to create a new genre of adventure tales. These sagas, known collectively as riddarasögur, highlight a growing desire to produce dramatic, fictional literature in the North.
Like the fantasy worlds of The Princess Bride, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings, these medieval Icelandic sagas present a cast of captivating characters who use their courage and martial prowess to navigate the complexities of a sometimes hostile and unforgiving world. As these stories feature the adventures and adversities these individuals encounter, they also illustrate the importance of the ability to use words as a form of power. This section of R5B will explore the importance of such effective communication skills, analyzing how the characters in these sagas convey their desires and denigrate their adversaries through eloquent speech. Students will use these narratives to build their own repertoires of conversational abilities, as they learn the moves that effective readers and writers employ to understand the writings of others and make their own unique voices be heard.
Classroom activities will provide a theater for students to hone their skills as writers, both individually and in collaboration with others. Significant class time will also be given to instruction in the skills of essay writing and critical thinking. Students should emerge from this class able to read a variety of text types analytically and critically; to distinguish valid interpretations or arguments from spurious ones; to draft convincing interpretive arguments in clear, standard English; to read their own writing with a critical eye; and to give helpful, responsible feedback to colleagues on their written work.
Class Notes
Synchronous online instruction. Time conflict enrollment not permitted.
This course satisfies the second half or the “B” portion of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the “A” portion of the Reading & Composition requirement or it.. show more
This course satisfies the second half or the “B” portion of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the “A” portion of the Reading & Composition requirement or it.. show more
Synchronous online instruction. Time conflict enrollment not permitted.
This course satisfies the second half or the “B” portion of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the “A” portion of the Reading & Composition requirement or its equivalent. Students may not enroll in nor attend R1B/R5B courses without completing this prerequisite.
Although very few courses are canceled, Berkeley Summer Sessions reserves the right to cancel a course if it does not reach minimum enrollments 3 weeks before the start of the session. In the case of a course cancellation, all enrolled students are notified by email, dropped from the class, and no longer charged for the class. See summer.berkeley.edu for all enrollment and fee policies. show less
This course satisfies the second half or the “B” portion of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the “A” portion of the Reading & Composition requirement or its equivalent. Students may not enroll in nor attend R1B/R5B courses without completing this prerequisite.
Although very few courses are canceled, Berkeley Summer Sessions reserves the right to cancel a course if it does not reach minimum enrollments 3 weeks before the start of the session. In the case of a course cancellation, all enrolled students are notified by email, dropped from the class, and no longer charged for the class. See summer.berkeley.edu for all enrollment and fee policies. show less
Rules & Requirements
Requisites
- Previously passed an R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Previously passed an articulated R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Score a 4 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature. Score a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition. Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English.
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
Second half of the Reading and Composition Requirement
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
Associated Sections
None