Elective Subject in Viking Studies - Introduction
The World of the Vikings
The Viking age (approx. 700 - 1050 A.D.) is known to be an extremely formative period, during which northern European societies crossed a number of decisive thresholds, such as those between paganism and Christianity, oral tradition and writing, tribal and state society. The Vikings also left their mark along the coast of Europe, in both Britain and the Baltic Sea area, and as such played an important part in forming the world as we know it today. The idea of the the important role played by the Vikings can be seen in a modern context in various forms of expression in popular culture, as well as in typical ways, such as the national identity of the Nordic countries. The multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the Viking era is not just preferable, but necessary for research, and the course therefore emphasises both archaeological and written sources.
Target Group
This Bachelor's supplementary subject is aimed at students interested in specialising in a central area of research which covers a range of traditional academic disciplines.
All students who have passed their core course examinations can enrol on the course. Furthermore, this English-language course is aimed at international students enrolled at Aarhus University.
All teaching on the course takes place in English. However, both written and oral exams may be taken in Danish.
Relevant Questions
The supplementary subject in Viking era studies deals with such issues as:
- What written and archaeological sources exist for Viking-era society, and how can they be used in a critical way?
- How were cities and states formed during the Viking period, and what were the consequences of these developments for later societies?
- What is known about religion during the Viking era and how did the transition from paganism to Christianity take place?
- How did the oral storytelling and poetic culture of the Viking period become the cornerstone of the Norse written tradition, and what is the relationship between the literature and reality?
- How has the tremendous, constant fascination with the Viking age from the the Middle Ages until modern times been expressed through art, faith and politics?