NFI4121 – The Poetic Edda - from the Oral to the Written

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

The course gives an overview over the preserved eddic poems.

Theories and methods of studying the eddic poetry as an oral tradition, are treated in the course.

The relationship between theories of oral and written communication is a central theme.

Learning outcome

The students are to acquire a profound knowledge of the preserved eddic poetry.

After the completion of the course they are to be able to read and interpret eddic poetry.

Further, the students are to gain solid understanding of the existing theories on oral transmission of the poems, and theories on the Verschriftlichung (literarisation) of the texts.

Admission to the course

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.

To be eligible for this course, you must be enrolled in one of the following master's programs:

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

The minimum number of attendants for the course is 5.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

NFI4120 – Old Norse - Language and Texts, or equivalent.

This course builds on previous knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Western-European Medieval Studies or another Bachelor’s Degree with a major within a discipline that covers the Viking or Nordic Medieval period. The course provides a study of Old Norse texts, and therefore one is to be able to work with the Old Norse language.

Overlapping courses