Reading and composition in connection with the representation of Scandinavia by outsiders and insiders. Satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement.

“The behavior of young men today is not what it was when I was young. In those days men hankered after deeds of derring-do, either by going raiding or by winning wealth and honor through exploits in which there was some element of danger. But nowadays young men want to be stay-at-homes, and sit by the fire, and stuff their stomachs with mead and ale; and so it is that manliness and bravery are on the wane. I have won wealth and honor because I dared to face danger and tough single combats.” -Vatnsdæla saga (The Saga of the People of Vatnsdal) The words of the erstwhile viking called Ketil the Large to his presumably idle son Thorstein reveal a society wrestling with its identity amid shifting values. Stories such as this, within the Íslendingasögur or Icelandic “Family Sagas,” chronicle the lives and exploits of prominent men and women in the remote frontier of Iceland from the 10th to the early 11th centuries. They offer us—as readers—a unique insight into the social dynamics, economic struggles, and personal tensions that arose from living in a rapidly-changing world and the necessity of its inhabitants to preserve their culture in both blood and ink. As we embark on this journey together, we will not only navigate the perilous realms of the medieval North Atlantic and Scandinavia, but we will also dive headlong into the deep, inky currents of a literary tradition that carries within it the echoes of ancient voices and ideals of an often misunderstood—if not wholly misrepresented—people. Much 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. Required Texts All readings will be made available on bCourses. Course Objectives One of the primary goals of Scandinavian R5B is for students to become better critical readers. This requires a close engagement with texts, at the level of their content, language, and style. Students are therefore expected to come to class having carefully read and reflected on the material for that day. Close critical reading does not entail a full and flawless understanding of the text; indeed, many of the works that we examine will be difficult and may frustrate our initial attempts at interpretation. You are nevertheless expected to engage with them closely and thoughtfully. Course Requirements No previous knowledge of Scandinavian subject matter is expected at the onset of this course. During the semester, students will become familiar with the geographical, historical, and literary spheres of the medieval Scandinavian world. Daily reading is the foundation of this course, and you can expect to be assigned 20-30 pages per night. Students will complete short assignments designed to develop composition skills, and to drive class discussion. Quizzes on the readings may be assigned as homework or given in class. A diagnostic essay, graded as pass/fail, will be assigned during the first week of classes. Students will compose three essays, with first and second drafts for each, and additionally submit peer reviews for drafts of these papers. Papers and peer reviews will be graded according to a rubric distributed to students prior to the assignment.

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