COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will guide you through the fundamentals of Old Norse grammar, style and history and give you the tools you need to read and appreciate old Viking Sagas and runic inscriptions first-hand! The course is designed to be taken over approximately 11 weeks, but the flexible, self-paced format means you can go at your own speed. Eleven modules introduce the rudiments of Old Norse grammar in straightforward, bite-sized chunks. Each module will present a brief reading from Hrafnkels saga Freysgoða, a short work praised since ancient times as an exemplar of early Icelandic literary style. Accessible grammatical commentary and explanation accompany each selection and its translation, allowing you to see in detail how elements fit together. As you work through these self-paced readings, grammatical and cultural explanations, and exercises, you can get individualized support from the course instructor via email or during weekly online office hours.