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HI2526: VIKINGS: AN INTRODUCTION (2023-2024)

Last modified: 01 Aug 2023 11:46


Course Overview

The year 793: a surprise viking attack on the peaceful monastic island of Lindisfarne. This raid is often considered to mark the beginning of the so-called Viking Age, a time of turbulence and transformation with repercussions throughout Europe and beyond. This period saw violence and warfare, cultural contact and religious conversion, political overhaul, and literary and artistic creativity. As well as critically interrogating the concepts of the ‘viking’ and the ‘Viking Age’, this course provides an introduction to key themes and topics in the study of early Scandinavia, c. 800-1200.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Hannah Burrows

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Programme Level 2
  • Any Undergraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • HI2026 Vikings: an Introduction (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course introduces students to key themes and topics in the study of Viking Age and medieval Scandinavia, c. 800-1200, through critical analysis of primary and secondary sources. Weekly lectures plus secondary reading assignments will allow you to study topics such as: pre-Christian myth and religion; gender roles; law and social organisation; the viking expansion into the British and Irish Isles and North Atlantic; cultural production; conversion and Christianization. Tutorials will allow you to get to grips in more detail with primary sources ranging from archaeological finds and rune-stones to legal texts, chronicles, poetry, myths and sagas, and to talk through interpretative positions and debates taken by scholars in the field.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks 35 Feedback Weeks 38

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Feedback

Questions will be set in advance. Written feedback provided.

Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandDevelop a basic understanding of key topics in the study of the Viking Age and medieval Scandinavia
ProceduralAnalyseUndertake critical analysis of primary sources in translation
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop interpretations based on primary and secondary source materials
ProceduralEvaluateSearch for, and critically appraise, relevant secondary literature

Gobbet (source analysis) exercise

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 30 Feedback Weeks 32

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

 Written feedback provided to each student.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseUndertake critical analysis of primary sources in translation

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks 25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35 Feedback Weeks 25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35

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Feedback

Will include responses posted to Blackboard discussion area reflecting on course material. Oral feedback will be provided during the course of tutorial discussion.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandDevelop a basic understanding of key topics in the study of the Viking Age and medieval Scandinavia

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 48,49,50 Feedback Weeks 1,51,52

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback provided.

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateSearch for, and critically appraise, relevant secondary literature
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop interpretations based on primary and secondary source materials
FactualUnderstandDevelop a basic understanding of key topics in the study of the Viking Age and medieval Scandinavia
ProceduralAnalyseUndertake critical analysis of primary sources in translation

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