Spring 2025
SCANDIN R5B 001 - LEC 001
Reading and Composition
Mermaids and Sea Monsters: Tales of the Depths in Medieval and Modern Scandinavia
Jonas Wellendorf, Isobel Boles
Class #:24260
Units:4
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Scandinavian
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
0
Enrolled: 17
Waitlisted: 2
Capacity: 17
Waitlist Max: 3
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials, and 9 hours of outside work hours.
Other classes by Jonas Wellendorf
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
The sea has always stood colossal in the human imagination—both life-giving and treacherous, at once full of mystery and beauty. This course will focus on depictions of the sea and its denizens (both real and otherwise) throughout the centuries in Nordic literature. We will explore myths of the ocean in Old Norse poetry and prose, as well as instances of sea monsters and oceanic oddities in medieval sagas and later folklore. We will read stories about the figure of the mermaid written by Hans Christian Andersen and Henrik Ibsen, as well as more contemporary imaginings of such creatures. As we look at literary representations of the deep, we will also learn about the historical role of the sea and the creatures that dwell in it in the Nordic region. All texts will be read in English translation.
Students will work on improving their writing style, editing practices, and research techniques in this course. Focus will be placed on becoming comfortable with close reading literary texts, selecting secondary sources, and reading academic articles, with the goal of constructing a research paper based on primary and secondary sources by the end of the course.
Required texts:
They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (ISBN-13: 978-1469028613) Course readings and additional materials on bCourses
Class Notes
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 completin.. show more
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 completin.. 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 its equivalent. Students may not enroll in nor attend R1B/R5B courses without completing this prerequisite.
Due to the high demand for R&C courses we monitor attendance very carefully. Attendance is mandatory the first two weeks of classes, this includes all enrolled and wait listed students. If you do not attend all classes the first two weeks you may be dropped. If you are attempting to add into this class during weeks 1 and 2 and did not attend the first day, you will be expected to attend all class meetings thereafter and, if space permits, you may be enrolled from the wait list show less
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.
Due to the high demand for R&C courses we monitor attendance very carefully. Attendance is mandatory the first two weeks of classes, this includes all enrolled and wait listed students. If you do not attend all classes the first two weeks you may be dropped. If you are attempting to add into this class during weeks 1 and 2 and did not attend the first day, you will be expected to attend all class meetings thereafter and, if space permits, you may be enrolled from the wait list 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
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials
Associated Sections
None