MAS4303 – Vinland – Myth and reality
Course description
Course content
The course deals with the topic of Vínland, and consists of three main topics: The first part addresses the term and myth about Insula Fortunata (The Fortunate Isles). This is a myth about a Paradise on Earth, located at some islands west of the ocean. The myth has roots in Antiquity, but is revived in an early Christian context, especially after AD 600. This concept is the origins of the Vinland myth. The second part addresses the search for, and discovery of, the Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland by Anne Stine and Helge Ingstad. The third part adresses the historiography, as well as popular and moderen myth-making concerning what is often called The Viking Discovery of America.
Learning outcome
The students shall be able to see the Vinland issue as part of a much larger, European (and Levanthian) myth cycle, and an essential part of the Christian mental universe, covering a period of of 1500 years. The students are expected to place this tradition into a wider cultural context. Technically, they should know the central works in this tradition, the historiography of the Vinland research, and the main lines of discourse. The literature, classes and seminars will be based on material from several disciplines.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
Some reading ability in Nordic languages will be useful, but is no absolute requirement.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with MAS2303 – Vinland – Myth and reality (discontinued)
Teaching
The course consists of lectures (7 x 2 hours) and seminars (3 x 2 hours). The students’ written work is an integrated part of the course. Each seminar will be based on a group presentation, followed by a plenary discussion.
Compulsory assignments: A first draft of the semester assignment is to be submitted halfway through the semester. Deadlines will be published in the detailed teaching plan.
Fronter will be used in this course.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
The examination consists of an integrated assessment where the grade is given on the basis of a term paper that the student has written, under the guidance of a supervisor, during the semester (10 pages of text, 2300 letters per page, without spacing). The assignment will be available at the start of the semester.
The student must hand in an Obligatory statement regarding cheating along with the term paper.
The assessment is integrated in the course lessons and it is therefore not possible to sit for the exam unless the student is registered for the teaching component of the course.
Language of examination
Papers may be submitted in English or in Scandinavian languages.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Students can ask for an explanation of the grade. This must be done within a week after the grade was made known to the student. To obtain the explanation, send an e-mail to henvendelser@ikos.uio.no. It is up to the sensor whether the explanation will be given orally or in writing. The student's e-mail must contain information of an e-mail address and a telephone number he or she can be reached on.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.
Other
This course can be taken in connection with the Master's Degree Program in Nordic Viking and Medieval Culture