Chapter 40: 'Egil at the ball-game': How do we explain Skallagrim's behavior towards Thord and Egil?
http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/mythology/religion/pix/egil_and_bodvar.jpg
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Blog for Monday, Nov. 2: Egil
http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/mythology/religion/pix/egil_and_bodvar.jpg
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Blog for Monday 10/19
http://markuswiener.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=602
Is Ibn Fadlan's account believable?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Blog for week 8: The Vinland Sagas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vinland_Map_HiRes.jpg
Which character is these two Vinland Sagas stand out the most in your reading?
Writing assignments
Question for writing #1 (3 pages), due 9.21
Based on the fictional and non-fictional texts we’ve read so far:
The Civilization of the Middle Ages, Norman Cantor
Historical Atlas of the Vikings, John Haywood
Halfdan Eysteinsson (Seven Viking Romances)
Select a topic/idea/event/situation/character that especially has intrigued you, and find related/comparable matters in the one or more of the other texts for comparison and contrasting discussion (on 3 pages).
Topics might include:
• heroic qualities of Halfdan (similar characters; social significance?)
• ideological change (present in the texts?)
• culture clash: what does it mean to be civilized? (examples of civilized and un- from the texts)
• Viking romance? (characteristics)
I am well aware that so far our sample material is limited while the mentioned topics easily might require many pages for sufficient treatment. Still, it is possible based on examples from our texts so say something worthwhile on three pages.
___________________________
Questions for writing #2 (3 pages), due 10/26
Choose one of the four questions for Njal’s Saga, or the question for The Vinland Sagas.
Njal’s Saga
1. Discuss the characteristics of characters in connection with the role they play in the saga:
• e.g. Gunner, Njal, Njal’s sons, Mord, Thrain Sigfusson.
• other characters?
2. Provide an in depth look at the women characters in this saga.
• how do they propel events?
• what are their individual characteristics? which role do they seem to fulfill in society? E.g. Hallgerd and Bergthora, Queen Gunnhild, Unn, Hrut.
• do you view them differently than you view today's women?
• does the sense of honor seem more prevalent in men or women?
3. Define the social construction of society in the saga.
• which are the elements of social construction? Provide examples.
• discuss such elements as kinship, immediate family, conflict,male/female roles -- and other elements you consider important.
• how effective was the law/Althing in actually maintaining law and order?
4. Examine the saga style.
• provide examples of the style in which Njal’s Saga is written, e.g. humor, genealogy etc
• Discuss purpose of these and other structural elements: violence, romance, fate, luck, the supernatural?
The Vinland Sagas
On the basis of a comparative analysis of the two sagas discuss the Viking discovery of "Vinland." Discuss the issues of 'the sagas as fiction,' 'their historical accuracy,' as you incorporate a discussion of the article: “The Vinland Sagas and Nova Scotia” (Scandinavian Studies, vol. 64, no. 3) Feel free to contrast this saga to other saga texts.
___________________________
Questions for writing #3 (3 pages), due 11/16
Egil’s Saga
Discuss the main themes of the saga. Consider how the main character and the minor characters relate to your particular interpretation of the work. Take special care to define the nature of the main character, Egil. Engage these five questions: Which scenes in particular define this saga? How do you assess Egil’s relationship to ‘honor’? Why the poetry? How does the saga compare to other sagas?
________________________
Guide to writing #4: Research paper
6 pages, due Tuesday, December 15, by 5 p.m. Honors Hall, or before.
The research paper (min. 6 pages, double spaced) will be on a topic chosen by week 9, due Tuesday, December 15. Meet with me individually at least once during the previous week to discuss and choose a topic. The paper should be a critical discussion of a topic discussed in class incorporating discussion of a minimum of five scholarly opinions on one or more saga texts or on a historical dimension of the Viking age related to the chosen saga text/s. A comparative and scholarly approach is appreciated relating the texts in focus to other texts, or other aspects of the course including modern life as we know it.
The following elements are important for the evaluation:
Analysis. Consult the critical thinking guidelines and 'evaluating papers & essays' for information about structure and suggestions for areas of analytical inquiry.
Insightful, creative interpretation. Create connections between various characters and elements in your interpretation of the text (or texts), and/or between your interpretation of the text and comporable elements in our contemporary world.
Research. Scholarly opinions are needed in order to provide fruitful perspectives for discussion, analysis, and interpretation! Researching a historical background of something also creates great context for interpretation and understanding. A minimum of five scholarly sources must be engaged in your paper.
Fluent, expressive language, and a coherent structure. Attention to the formal dimensions of the paper are necessary and will be rewarded. (See Referencing)
Based on the fictional and non-fictional texts we’ve read so far:
The Civilization of the Middle Ages, Norman Cantor
Historical Atlas of the Vikings, John Haywood
Halfdan Eysteinsson (Seven Viking Romances)
Select a topic/idea/event/situation/character that especially has intrigued you, and find related/comparable matters in the one or more of the other texts for comparison and contrasting discussion (on 3 pages).
Topics might include:
• heroic qualities of Halfdan (similar characters; social significance?)
• ideological change (present in the texts?)
• culture clash: what does it mean to be civilized? (examples of civilized and un- from the texts)
• Viking romance? (characteristics)
I am well aware that so far our sample material is limited while the mentioned topics easily might require many pages for sufficient treatment. Still, it is possible based on examples from our texts so say something worthwhile on three pages.
___________________________
Questions for writing #2 (3 pages), due 10/26
Choose one of the four questions for Njal’s Saga, or the question for The Vinland Sagas.
Njal’s Saga
1. Discuss the characteristics of characters in connection with the role they play in the saga:
• e.g. Gunner, Njal, Njal’s sons, Mord, Thrain Sigfusson.
• other characters?
2. Provide an in depth look at the women characters in this saga.
• how do they propel events?
• what are their individual characteristics? which role do they seem to fulfill in society? E.g. Hallgerd and Bergthora, Queen Gunnhild, Unn, Hrut.
• do you view them differently than you view today's women?
• does the sense of honor seem more prevalent in men or women?
3. Define the social construction of society in the saga.
• which are the elements of social construction? Provide examples.
• discuss such elements as kinship, immediate family, conflict,male/female roles -- and other elements you consider important.
• how effective was the law/Althing in actually maintaining law and order?
4. Examine the saga style.
• provide examples of the style in which Njal’s Saga is written, e.g. humor, genealogy etc
• Discuss purpose of these and other structural elements: violence, romance, fate, luck, the supernatural?
The Vinland Sagas
On the basis of a comparative analysis of the two sagas discuss the Viking discovery of "Vinland." Discuss the issues of 'the sagas as fiction,' 'their historical accuracy,' as you incorporate a discussion of the article: “The Vinland Sagas and Nova Scotia” (Scandinavian Studies, vol. 64, no. 3) Feel free to contrast this saga to other saga texts.
___________________________
Questions for writing #3 (3 pages), due 11/16
Egil’s Saga
Discuss the main themes of the saga. Consider how the main character and the minor characters relate to your particular interpretation of the work. Take special care to define the nature of the main character, Egil. Engage these five questions: Which scenes in particular define this saga? How do you assess Egil’s relationship to ‘honor’? Why the poetry? How does the saga compare to other sagas?
________________________
Guide to writing #4: Research paper
6 pages, due Tuesday, December 15, by 5 p.m. Honors Hall, or before.
The research paper (min. 6 pages, double spaced) will be on a topic chosen by week 9, due Tuesday, December 15. Meet with me individually at least once during the previous week to discuss and choose a topic. The paper should be a critical discussion of a topic discussed in class incorporating discussion of a minimum of five scholarly opinions on one or more saga texts or on a historical dimension of the Viking age related to the chosen saga text/s. A comparative and scholarly approach is appreciated relating the texts in focus to other texts, or other aspects of the course including modern life as we know it.
The following elements are important for the evaluation:
Analysis. Consult the critical thinking guidelines and 'evaluating papers & essays' for information about structure and suggestions for areas of analytical inquiry.
Insightful, creative interpretation. Create connections between various characters and elements in your interpretation of the text (or texts), and/or between your interpretation of the text and comporable elements in our contemporary world.
Research. Scholarly opinions are needed in order to provide fruitful perspectives for discussion, analysis, and interpretation! Researching a historical background of something also creates great context for interpretation and understanding. A minimum of five scholarly sources must be engaged in your paper.
Fluent, expressive language, and a coherent structure. Attention to the formal dimensions of the paper are necessary and will be rewarded. (See Referencing)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
No blog for Monday 9/21
https://wodanesdag.com/th650.html
Since you are completing your papers for Monday - no blog this week!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Paper #1 due Monday, Sept. 21
Question for writing #1 (3 pages), due 9.21:
Based on the fictional and non-fictional texts we’ve read so far:
The Civilization of the Middle Ages, Norman Cantor
Historical Atlas of the Vikings, John Haywood
Halfdan Eysteinsson (Seven Viking Romances)
Select a topic/idea/event/situation/character that especially has intrigued you, and find related/comparable matters in the one or more of the other texts for comparison and contrasting discussion (on 3 pages).
Topics might include:
- heroic qualities of Halfdan (similar characters; social significance?)
- ideological change (present in the texts?)
- culture clash: what does it mean to be civilized? (examples of civilized and un- from the texts)
- Viking romance? Que? (characteristics)
I am well aware that so far our sample material is limited while the mentioned topics easily might require many pages for sufficient treatment. Still, it is possible based on examples from our texts so say something worthwhile on three pages.
Based on the fictional and non-fictional texts we’ve read so far:
The Civilization of the Middle Ages, Norman Cantor
Historical Atlas of the Vikings, John Haywood
Halfdan Eysteinsson (Seven Viking Romances)
Select a topic/idea/event/situation/character that especially has intrigued you, and find related/comparable matters in the one or more of the other texts for comparison and contrasting discussion (on 3 pages).
Topics might include:
- heroic qualities of Halfdan (similar characters; social significance?)
- ideological change (present in the texts?)
- culture clash: what does it mean to be civilized? (examples of civilized and un- from the texts)
- Viking romance? Que? (characteristics)
I am well aware that so far our sample material is limited while the mentioned topics easily might require many pages for sufficient treatment. Still, it is possible based on examples from our texts so say something worthwhile on three pages.
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