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Unit of study_
ENGL3635: Old Norse
2026 unit information
Old Norse is the name given to the language of medieval Scandinavia which was spoken by the Viking invaders of Britain in the early Middle Ages. Old Norse literature presents a rich variety, from mythological and legendary poetry to Icelandic sagas. This unit extends students' understanding of the Germanic culture which the Anglo-Saxons brought to Britain by introducing them to the language of medieval Iceland, the literary centre of medieval Scandinavia, through texts written in Old Icelandic.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | English and Writing |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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12 credit points at 2000 level in English or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Australian Literature or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Linguistics or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Celtic Studies |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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ENGL3631 or ENGL3632 or ENGL3622 or ENGL3621 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Apply foundational Old Norse grammar and vocabulary to translate and gloss short passages.
- LO2. Explain how key linguistic developments and cultural-historical factors shaped Old Norse texts and literary traditions.
- LO3. Critically analyse Old Norse texts in relevant cultural contexts.
- LO4. Locate, evaluate, and synthesise scholarly sources, reflecting on how scholarship on the field has been shaped by its own historical and cultural settings.
- LO5. Construct coherent, evidence-based arguments about Old Norse language and literature using appropriate scholarly conventions.
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