NFI4123 – Runology - Runic Inscriptions from the Migration Period to the Viking Age
Course description
Course content
Runology is concerned with some 1300 years of the history of writing.
Runes constituted the script used by many Germanic peoples from the second century A.D. Their use died out in Norway around 1400.
This advanced course covers the runic inscriptions from the Migration Period and the Viking Age.
In addition to close study of runic writing, there is also focus on particular issues of the period.
Learning outcome
The students will gain special knowledge of the eldest runes and runic inscriptions.
The course will also provide insight into the ancient language history and cultural history in the light of runic writing.
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.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
NFI1100 – Runology - General Introduction, NFI4100 – Runology - General Introduction or equivalent.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course presupposes some knowledge of Old Norse and of the history of the North Germanic languages, and the courses NFI1101 – Norr?n grammatikk og eldre spr?khistorie, 4120?or equivalent are recommended. The syllabus literature will be in English, modern Scandinavian languages and, in some cases, German.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with NFI2101 – Runology - Runic Inscriptions from the Migration Period to the Viking Age.
Teaching
28 hours of seminars and lectures throughout the semester.
Students must submit an individual reading list within a set deadline. The reading list must be approved by the teacher in order to take the final exam.
Examination
The final exam will be an oral examination.
Language of examination
The trial lecture can be held in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
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.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.