HDCB01151U DCC Nordic Mythology

Volume 2026/2027
Education

Danish Culture Courses

www.danishculturecourses.ku.dk

Content

Nordic Mythology is a course in English for international students.

 

It is a course within the science of religion, and it deals with the religion in Denmark before the introduction of Christianity. In the course, we will read some poems concerning pre-Christian deities from Iceland as well as the medieval Icelandic writer Snorri, which makes it possible to get a glimpse of the mythology of the Scandinavians before Christianity.

 

The gods Odin, Thor, Vanir, Loki and Balder will be accentuated. We will also go beyond mythology and try to get an idea about the religious rituals and the religious experts of the Norsemen.

 

The course includes an excursion to Lejre, Trelleborg and Roskilde and an excursion to Scania in Sweden, where we will visit a couple of burial places in the shape of a ship and also some well-preserved runic stones.

 

Students will get an introductory understanding of ancient Nordic religion, mythology, its sources as well as the archeological remains of it.

 

www.danishculturecourses.ku.dk

Name of Exam: HDCB01151E Early Danish History and Religion

Learning Outcome

At the examination, the student can demonstrate:

 

Knowledge and understanding of

  • the overall themes in a focused study area within the topic of early Danish history and religion
  • details that are relevant to this overall context.

 

Skills in

  • applying research-based knowledge to a special topic within of early Danish history and religion
  • understanding and reflecting on a special aspect of of early Danish history and religion
  • putting this in the perspective of e.g. European cultural history.

 

Competencies in

  • taking an analytical approach to the focused study as an element of early Danish history and religion.

Readings will be available online through Absalon.

The course is only offered to exchange and fee-paying guest students at the University of Copenhagen.
Lectures and excursions.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 0
  • Total
  • 0
Written
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment, 11-15 standard pages
Type of assessment details
Written take-home assignment, optional subject.
Internal exam with one examiner.
The exam can only be taken individually.
Exam language: English.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

Conducted in the same manner as the original exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome.