Odin Ritual Stone From Alskog Tjängvide, Gotland, Sweden Showing either a valkyrie or Frigg welcoming Odin and a Viking ship with nine warriors.

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GERMAN 3313
Northern Myths and Legends
Spring 2008 MWF 1-1:50

Northern Myths and Legends provides a general introduction to Germanic myth and legend from the early middle ages to the Romantic era, covering Germanic epics, Viking myths and legends, medieval romances and romantic fairy tales. Although we will concentrate on literary works from "high" culture, we will also examine texts from "folk" culture and discuss the ways in which folklore (stories, songs, beliefs, customs, folk craft and folk art) has been adapted to other more contemporary genres, such as film, animation and opera. Students should gain an understanding of Germanic cultural history and folk traditions as well as familiarity with literary terms and theories used in discussing and evaluating texts from oral and traditional cultures.