INDEX CURSUS: Norse Myth (CLCV 3900)
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Rackham: Waltraute & Brunhilde; from an illustrated
edition of Wagner's Ring libretti.
CLCV 3900/3900H: Norse Myth
12:30-12:20 MWF
Eppler South 307
Professor:
James M. Pfundstein, Ph.D.Required Texts:
Shatzel 222
Office Hours: Tuesday 12:30-1:20, or by appointment.
Office phone: 419-372-8278
e-mail: jmpfund@bgsu.edu
web-page: https://blogs.bgsu.edu/pfundblog/summaria/
Facebook: james.enge
Bluesky: jamesenge
under copyright texts
Byock, J. (transl.) Saga of Hrolf Kraki (Penguin; ISBN 978-0140435931)
Byock, J. (transl.) Saga of the Volsungs (Penguin; ISBN 978-0141393681)
Byock, J. (transl.) Snorri Sturluson: Prose Edda (Penguin; ISBN 978-0140447552)
Heaney, S. (transl.) Beowulf (Norton: 978-0393320978, bilingual version, or 978-0393330106, illustrated version)
Lindow, J. Norse Mythology: a guide to gods, heroes, rituals & beliefs (Oxford; 978-0195153828)
Terry, P. (transl.) Poems of the Elder Edda (Pennsylvania; ISBN 978-0812282207)
e-texts online (public domain/Creative Commons)
Tacitus, Germania (Townshend transl; Methuen, 1894)
https://archive.org/details/tacitusagricolag00taciialaMorris & Magnusson (transl.) Grettir's Saga (Ellis, 1869)
https://archive.org/details/storyofgrettirst00eiriTolkien, Christopher (ed. & transl.) The Saga of King Heiðrek the Wise (a.k.a. Hervǫr and Heiðrek's Saga)
http://vsnrweb-publications.org.uk/The%20Saga%20Of%20King%20Heidrek%20The%20Wise.pdf
Saxo Grammaticus, The Story of Amleth (excerpted by JMP from Elton's translation of the Gesta Danorum: complete text here)
Online
resources:
The single most important resource for the study of Norse myth on the web is Northvegr, a collection of texts and sites for the study of the languages, literatures, histories, and religion of the ancient North.
The
Viking Society for Northern Research is putting all of its
publications online, including many editions and translations
of sagas and the Eddas.
http://vsnrweb-publications.org.uk
The E-Beowulf website gives you a chance to look at the Old English manuscript of the epic (along with a transcription).
The Perseus Project began as an online library of the classical world, but has branched out to include other libraries, including a sizeable assortment of Old Norse and Old English texts.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/collection?collection=Perseus:collection:Germanic
Here's a list of university resources and policies. I particularly recommend the resources.
https://jamesenge.com/BGSU.ResourcesAndPolicies.html
etc!
If
you find a good resource, let me know. As this course evolves,
I'll be expanding this section.
Course Expectations:
1. Expectations for Behavior: Abide by Wheaton's Law. For details, see the BGSU Codes of Conduct.
2. Expectations for Learning: This is a survey course in Norse mythology, and will involve readings in translation from a variety of sources (Latin, Old Norse, Old English, etc). By the end of it you should have a good sense of what myth is (as opposed to, say, religion), and what Norse myth is in particular; you will have had a chance to read and write and think about these myths and their applicability to our culture and our time.
Survey courses are, of necessity, somewhat heterogeneous. This means that I'll be covering a lot of topics which may not obviously be related to each other, and also I will use a lot of words like "heterogeneous". You might think of the myths as the members of an extended family. They're not all the same, and none of them are exactly the same. But there is an undeniable organic relation between them, and the more of them you know the more you will see it.
3. AI Use Guidelines
It shouldn't come up for this class (where all the gradable work consists of closed-book, in-class assignments). But I say anyway: don't use generative AI (i.e. chatbots) for the assignments in this class. Setting aside the fact that chatbots routinely violate intellectual property law and are ethically and environmentally unsustainable, the technology does not work as advertised. It cannot cite required sources accurately, for instance (unless it happens to be plagiarizing a source that does). These programs don't create writing based on knowledge; they generate text using statistical probabilities and a very large database, a process that has been described as "stochastic parroting". If you've ever seen a weird autocomplete on your phone, be aware that this is what AI does routinely. It's instantly obvious to anyone who reads carefully, which is one of the things you're paying me to do.
"Aha, Pfundstein!" you may say in the silent precincts of your heart, "how will you know, know for a fact that I used AI? If not, how can you ban it?"
As someone charged with your intellectual well-being and development, I urge you to avoid that brain-rot caused by these things. But as far as the course goes: I grade for elements that generative AI can’t provide (e.g. accurate and relevant citations of specific evidence)—not to exclude slop generated by chatbots, but because the ability to do that stuff is a sign of actual intelligence (which, despite the name on the label, AI doesn’t have).
Grading:
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attendance 3 quizzes (objective questions based on readings and lectures) 3 essay tests (500-word essay written in class) final exam (objective questions plus 2 essays) |
10% 30% 30% 30% |
Assignments:
The attendance score is simply based on whether you're there or not. Absent with an excuse is still absent. I mention this because some people have formed the habit of treating all courses as if they were distance-learning. This just isn't that kind of course. If there's some kind of emergency (e.g. a prolonged illness), I'll make reasonable accommodations, and there will be extra credit available through the semester to help make up an attendance deficit.
The quizzes consist of strictly objective questions (e.g.: true/false, matching, short ID, visual ID) based on the readings and lectures. They'll be administered in class.
The essay tests are in-class writing assignments. I'll give you a set of prompts and you'll write a 500-word minimum essay based on the readings. It should include a brief thesis statement ("Norse Myths are really about potatoes!"), defended by an argument ("Because potatoes are the only thing that appear in every one of the myths that we saw in this section!") supported by evidence ("[Potato-Myth 1], [Potato-Myth 2], [Potato-Myth 3]," etc). The test is closed book, but the more specific you can be about the source of the story, the better.
The final exam will have 50 points of objective questions directed at the readings/lectures since Quiz 3, plus 2 essay questions (500-word minimum for each).
| No makeups given due to absence without prior arrangement with the instructor. |
| No
one can pass the course without passing the final
exam. |
| Incompletes will only be issued issued by prior arrangement with the instructor. |
| " 'It's my opinion,' replied the Tuna, 'and opinions deserve respect! That's what Tuna politicians say.' "—Collodi, Pinocchio |
| The instructor reserves the right to recognize significant improvement (or decline) in student performance when awarding the final grade. |
| The maximum amount of extra credit which may count towards the final grade = 10% of the total course points. |
| The syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor; changes will be announced in class and posted on-line. |
SCHEDULE
| CLASS DATES | READING ASSIGNMENT | TOPICS |
ARGUMENTS (illustrative, not exhaustive) |
ASSIGNMENTS
& HOLIDAYS |
| Week 1 August 24, 26, 28 |
Tacitus, Germania chs.
7-10,
39-40,
42 Lindow: Introduction, Interpretatio Romana, Interpretatio Germanica, Tuisto, Mannus, Matres and Matronae, Regnator Omnium Deus |
What myth is
(and isn't: namely, religion). Kinds of myth What Norse myth is (and isn't) Social, linguistic, and historical context for Norse myth Sources for Norse myth |
(attack or defend) There is no Norse myth, really. The study of myth is inherently political. |
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| Week 2 August 31, September 2, 5 |
Snorri's Edda: Gylfaginning sections 1-19 (Gefjun; Gylfi & the Aesir; Norse cosmology and cosmogony) Völuspá (and Terry's notes, pp.8-10) Lindow: Ginnunga-Gap, Niflheim, Audhumla, Ymir, Búri, Bestla, Odin, Hoenir, Lódur, Vili and Vé, Ask and Embla |
The beginning of the world Indo-European parallels The first gods The universe and its inhabitants Law vs. Chaos |
(attack or defend) The Norse story about the universe is neither a creation myth, nor a succession myth. Snorri is too prejudiced to give an accurate version of Norse myth. Tolkien was a plagiarist. The Völuspá is a Christian myth. |
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| Week 3 -----, September 9, 11 |
Snorri's Edda:
Gylfaginning sections 20-32 (overview
of the Aesir; Frey & Gerd; Valhalla; Sleipnir;
Skidbladnir) Snorri's Edda: Skaldskaparmal 1-3 (Thjazi, Skaði, & the Aesir; Kvasir & Suttung; the Mead of Wisdom; Hrungnir; the dwarves make the gods' treasures; Aegir) Elder Edda: "Skirnir's Journey" Lindow: Time, Njörd, Skadi, Frey, Freyja, Æsir-Vanir War, Heimdall, |
The Norse
pantheon(s): the Aesir and the Vanir. The problem(s) of Loki. Loki's children. Female gods in a patriarchal society. Epic vs. saga. |
(attack or defend) Loki was one of the Aesir. Freya was not one of the Aesir. Asgard is doomed to fall because it is founded on dishonesty. |
Monday,
Sept. 7: Labor Day (no classes) Friday, Sept. 11: Quiz 1 (readings & lectures weeks 1-3) |
| Week 4 September 14, 16, 18 |
Snorri's Edda: Skaldskaparmal 3-6 Snorri's Edda: Gylfaginning sections 33-43 Elder Edda: "Sayings of the High One", "The Lay of Vafthrudnir", "The Lay of Grimnir", "The Lay of Alvis" Lindow: Hávamál, Vafthrúdnismál, Grímnismál, Alvísmál, |
Gnomic verse. Odin the Guest. The wisdom of Thor. |
(attack or defend) There is more than one Odin, but only one Thor. The Vanir and the Aesir were originally the gods of different nations. "Dwarf" is not the correct translation of "Svartalf". |
Friday, Sept. 18: Essay 1 (readings & lectures weeks 1-3) |
| Week 5 September 21, 23, 25 |
Snorri's Edda: Gylfaginning
44-50 Elder Edda: "The Lay of Harbard", "The Lay of Hymir","The Lay of Thrym" Lindow: Thor, Hymir, Loki, Lopt, Logi, Thrymskvida, Útgard, Útgarda-Loki |
Adventures of
Thor and Loki. Folktale as a type of myth. |
(attack or defend) Myth is multiform, so modern versions of the Norse myths (e.g. the Marvel Thor) are okay. Myth is multiform, but modern retellings of medival stories are not truly myths. |
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| Week 6 September 28, 30, October 2 |
Elder Edda: "Lokasenna",
"Balder's Dreams" Snorri's Edda: Beguiling of Gylfi 49-53 (the death of Baldr and the punishment of Loki; Ragnarokr & afterwards) Lindow: Lokasenna, Hermód, Ragnarök, Garm, Týr, Fenris, Midgard's Serpent, Hel |
The
monstrification of Loki. The death of Baldr. Heroism and doom. Ragnarokr. Gods, ghosts, and other mortals. The afterlife: where do ghosts go? |
(attack or
defend) The Norse gods are more heroic than than the gods of other pantheons. (We're looking at you, Olympians.) |
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| Week 7 -----, October 7, 9 |
Snorri's Edda:
Gylfaginning, Prologue & 54-55: in which Snorri denies everything |
Euhemerism:
where history and myth overlap Snorri's Edda: preservation or distortion? |
(attack
or defend) Snorri was a Christian propagandist trying to subvert the ancient Germanic religion. Snorri was a crypto-heathen, trying to keep the ancient Germanic religion alive. |
October 5-6: Fall Break (no classes) Friday, October 9: Quiz 2 (readings & lectures weeks 4-7) |
| Week 8 October 12, 14, 16 |
Beowulf Grettir's Saga (chs. 32-35, chs. 64-66) Elder Edda: "The Lay of Volund", "The Mill Song" Snorri's Edda: Skaldskaparmal 8 |
epic
(booklength poem) vs. saga (booklength prose) The theory and practice of monsters. The monster and the hero. |
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Friday,
October 16: Essay 2 (readings & lectures weeks 4-7) |
| Week 9 October 19, 21, 23 |
Beowulf (concluded) Grettir's Saga (chs. 32-35, chs. 64-66) Elder Edda: "The Lay of Volund", "The Mill Song" Snorri's Edda: Skaldskaparmal 8 |
Monster or
momster? Doublets and parallels. The cauldron of story. Can heroes be villains? Euhemerism: threat or menace? |
(attack or defend) Beowulf's epic is Christian propaganda. Beowulf's epic is heathen propaganda. Grettir is the monster; Glám is the hero. Beowulf is a failure as a king. Wiglaf is a great name. Pessimism is the basic mood of Northern mythology. |
|
| Week 10 October 26, 28, 30 |
Hervǫr & Heiðrek, Hervǫr
& Heiðrek, Appendix A, p.68 (starting with
"When Svafrlami heard..."); then sections 1-10 Elder Edda: "The Waking of Angantyr" |
The king and
the hero. Section 11 of Hervǫr & Heiðrek was not written by the person(s) who wrote the rest of the saga. Is Hervǫr a shield-maiden? Amloði vs. Hamlet |
(attack or defend) The more magic in a story, the less heroism there is. The more heroes there are in a story, the less heroism there is. Shakespeare's Hamlet is better than Saxo's Amleth/Amloði. |
|
| Week 11 November 2, 4, 6 |
Hrolf Kraki's Saga:
intro through section 12 (pp.vii-24) Snorri's Edda, Skaldskaparmal 9 |
Shape-changers
and heroes. King Arthur vs. King Hrolf. |
(attack or defend) The purpose of heroic stories is to show us how to live. The purpose of heroic stories is to show us how to die. |
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| Week 12 November 9, -----, 13 |
Hrolf Kraki's Saga: sections 13-23 (pp.24-78) Snorri's Edda, Skaldskaparmal 9 |
The company of
heroes. Tragedy and heroism. Ancient epic and modern noir. |
(attack or defend) If the end of a story is not fated, it is not tragic. Sam Spade was a Viking. |
Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day (no classes) Friday November 13: Quiz 3 (lectures & readings weeks 8-12) |
| Week 13 November 16, 18, 20 |
Snorri’s Edda, Skaldskaparmal
7 (The otter’s weregild and Sigurd the dragon
slayer) Elder Edda: "Helgi" poems through "Grief of Gudrun" (pp. 104-144) The Saga of the Volsungs, intro, & sections1-44 |
Fantasy and
mythology. Dragons: a modest proposal. Toxic maculinity--or toxic femininity? Revenge and civilization: can they co-exist? Were the medieval Germanic peoples barbarians? |
(attack or defend) The Saga of the Volsungs was written by a woman. The Saga of the Volsungs is more like science fiction than fantasy. No reasonable person wants to be a hero. The stories that people tell show what kind of culture they have. If you successfully steal something, it's yours. Some crimes can't be forgiven; they must be avenged. Sigurð the Dragonslayer is not really the same guy as the Sigurð who married Gudrun. |
Friday November 20: Essay 3 (lectures & readings weeks 8-12) |
| Week 14 November 23, ---, --- |
Elder Edda: "Lay of Gudrun" through "Lay of Hamdir" (pp.145-240) Snorri's Edda, Skaldskaparmal 10 |
Types of mythology: how many are there? The fight of the Hjadnings. Eternal war: a myth (as in Snorri Skaldskaparmal 10) or a reality for the Middle Ages? |
Heroes must be imperfect because all people are imperfect. Heroes must be perfect, or people will have nothing to aspire to. |
November
25-27: Thanksgiving Break (no classes) |
| Week 15 November 30, December 2, 4 |
Saxo, Amleth | Heroes and heroines: are they different (apart from gender)? Region is belief and practice. Mythology is stories. (That's Day 1 stuff, but people need a reminder toward the end, sometimes.) |
Shakespeare's Hamlet is
better than Saxo's Amleth/Amloði. Amleth vs. Beowulf: who wins? |
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| Finals Week December 7-11 |
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-------------------- | -------------------- | Final Exam: Thursday, December 10 11:30 AM-2:00 PM |