HIS32780 The Viking Age

Academic Year 2021/2022

It is difficult to find nuance in popular perception of the Vikings, which either maligns them as bloodthirsty savages or glorifies them as free-spirited warriors. Who were the Vikings in reality, and what was their impact on early medieval history? The actions of these raiders and traders had significant consequences for Europe in the early Middle Ages, causing devastating amounts of damage but also opening up new avenues of trade and communication. In this module, we will undertake an in-depth examination of the Viking Age and its aftermath across the early medieval world. We will study the background behind the rise of the Vikings and the effects of their raiding on the North Atlantic region. We will also examine the political and cultural repercussions of the Viking Age, from its impact on European politics (including an extended study of Viking-Age Dublin) to the influence of Scandinavian art, archaeology, and mythology. The module will conclude with a look at how the Viking Age was remembered across Europe in chronicles, annals, and sagas from the twelfth century onwards.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course students should have:
-an understanding of the impact of the Viking Age on early medieval Europe
-developed skills in analysing historical source material both contemporary with and subsequent to the Viking Age
-shown an ability to comment on primary and secondary historical sources in writing and verbally.

Indicative Module Content:

The module addresses such topics as:
-The rise of the Vikings
-Primary source material about the Vikings (written and archaeological)
-The impact of Viking attacks on early medieval Europe
-Viking Age Ireland
-Trade routes, exploration, and cultural contact during the Viking Age
-The settlement of Iceland
-Slavery in the Viking Age
-Viking Age archaeology, art, and culture
-The impact of the Vikings on medieval Europe’s political landscape
-How the Viking Age was remembered in chronicles, annals, and sagas from the twelfth century onwards

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

223
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a small-group, seminar-based module. It is taught through a one-hour weekly lecture and a two-hour seminar. The weekly lecture provides an overview of the week’s topic, focusing upon key historical trends, debates and events. The weekly seminar is focused upon individual active / task-based learning by means of class debates, discussion and student presentations. Advanced research, writing and citation skills are developed through a combined individual student presentation on primary sources and written essay, and a semester-long 3,500-4,000 word research project. Autonomous learning is advanced through student-led debate and discussion of set primary sources and / or student presentations each week. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Learning portfolio: a 1,500-word learning portfolio composed of six 250-word reading responses, due in week 7 of the module. Week 7 n/a Graded No

35
Continuous Assessment: Participation, including regular attendance at and active participation in seminars and one five-minute presentation on one secondary reading. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

25
Essay: A 3,500 to 4,000 word original final essay, due at the end of the module. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

40

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on participation, presentations, and discussion posts will be continuous and ongoing throughout the module. Feedback on draft assignments will be given in one-on-one meetings with students, and feedback on final essay submissions will be given in writing and in one-on-one meetings with students after final essay submissions.