2019 Fall
SCANDIN R5A 001 - LEC 001
Reading and Composition
Exploring Middle-Earth: An Introduction to Norse Mythology Through Tolkien
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
0
Enrolled:
Waitlisted:
Capacity:
Waitlist Max:
No Reserved Seats
Hours & Workload
9 hours of outside work hours per week, and 3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week.
Course Catalog Description
Reading and composition in connection with the representation of Scandinavia by outsiders and insiders. Satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Class Description
“The truth is that in [The Hobbit] a number of good things, never before united, have come together: a fund of humour, an understanding of children, and a happy fusion of the scholar’s with the poet’s grasp of mythology… The professor has the air of inventing nothing. He has studied trolls and dragons at first hand and describes them with that fidelity that is worth oceans of glib “originality.” (The Times, October 8, 1937)
Of the many sources drawn upon by J.R.R. Tolkien in the creation of his Middle-Earth, none seem more prominent than the myths and legends of Medieval Scandinavia. Wandering wizards who cox heroes from their homes, troublesome trolls, and deadly dragons fill the landscape of both Tolkien’s world and the world of Norse mythology. Over the course of the semester, we shall discover not only what myths and legends Tolkien drew upon in creating Middle-Earth, but also begin to explore how retellings of these stories have influenced their preservation.
In this course, we will focus on developing thesis writing techniques, paper organization skills, and writing method. We will consider, over the course of the semester, the interplay between primary and secondary source material as well as questions of medium, context, and cultural impact.
Required Texts
Please obtain a copy of the following:
· The Hobbit. J.R.R. Tolkien. ISBN: 0618002219
· Edda. trans. Anthony Faulkes. ISBN: 9780460876162
· The Poetic Edda (2014). trans. Carolyne Larrington. ISBN: 9780199675340
· Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. H.R. Ellis Davidson. ISBN: 9780140136272
Other readings will be made available on bCourses.
Class Notes
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 cl..
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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.
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Rules & Requirements
Requisites
- Satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing Requirement.
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
First half of the Reading and Composition Requirement
Reserved Seats
Current Enrollment
No Reserved Seats
Textbooks & Materials
Associated Sections
None