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HIS-1018: Sources for Norwegian history, ca. 950 - ca. 1300 Work Load
10 credits (ECTS) | Type of course
Theoretical. | Level of course/Year of study
Normally first or second year. | Language of instruction
Norwegian. | Examination semester
Autumn
| Objectives
This course can be incorporated in a bachelor in History as an elective subject. It can be used as a subsidiary subject in Archaeology and Religious Science.
| Contents
The period from around 950 to 1300 is a period characterized by great changes in Norway; the Christianization of the people and the gradual growth of royal power introduced new social relationships. At the same time, this period is characterized by economic change and growth, through increased export connected to North-Norwegian fishery and the establishment of the first proper towns in Norway, towns important to our royals, the church and as centres of trade and commerce. Even so, most of our knowledge about this period is derived from late sources, all written during a short period around 1150. Early Norwegian royal history was produced within the environment of the church: The history of the old Norwegian kings by the monk Teodoric in Nidaros, the fragmented and anonymous Historia Norvegiae, and a series of collections of royal sagas from Iceland in the 1200s (Fagrskinna, Morkinskinna) which culminates with the famous Heimskringla by Snorre a generation later. These narrative sources all relate accomplishments of different kings. They are sources of the established Christian monarchy, written within the turbulent political context of the late 1100s, and the intellectual opinion had a need to construct a suitable past to justify and condemn certain current traits. Snorre¿s Saga surfaces at the end of this period, a fascinating interpretation of persons and events in a time of civil war. The increased amount of sources from around 1200 provides a new dimension to our understanding of these events.
| Form of teaching
Approx. 30 hours of lectures/seminars/tutorials
| Exam and assessment
Two assignments of about 5 pages each submitted within a deadline. The assignments will be given a joint evaluation and graded A-E for pass, F for fail. Failing students will be offered a re-sit examination.
| Contact person/lecturer
Steinar Aas/Åse Johansen | Recommended reading/syllabus
Available on request. |
Teaching autumn 2007
Orienteringsmøte: Onsdag 15.08., kl 1015, rom 1.333 i Teorifagsbygget | | Forelesning | Første gang: Mandag 20.08., kl 1215, rom M-025 i Breiviklia
Hovedlærer Prof. Richard A. Holt
| | Eksamen | Første oppgåve: utlevering 4. oktober. Innlevering 11. oktober. Andre oppgåve: Utlevering 6. november. Innlevering 13. november. |
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