Old Norse / Runology

The academic content of the course, i.e. topic and theory, oscillates between runology and Old Norse language. In fall 2026, the academic content of the course will be runology.

Runology

This course aims at making the students familiar with Norwegian runic inscriptions. The course will give students knowledge of runes as a system of writing, synchronic and diachronic, and both linguistic and content-based aspects of inscriptions. The course goes beyond the Old Norse era and aims at creating an overview of the entire period when runes were in use. The main focus is on runes in the general Old Norse area of the Viking Age and the Middle Ages.

Old Norse

This course gives students improved knowledge of Old Norse language structure compared to what is expected in from introductory courses in language history. The students will become able to work independently with Old Norse texts and to analyze them from a linguistic point of view. They also get background knowledge of language history that puts Old Norse grammar in a linguistic context, and students will become aware of variation within Old Norse

Runology:

Knowledge:

The student has

• knowledge of runes as a system of writing, different variants of the runic alphabet (the fuþark) and the development over time of runic script
• knowledge of runic inscriptions, their language, and contents
• knowledge of runes in a historical and cultural context

Skills:

The student can

• transliterate, normalize, and identify texts typologically and chronologically
• understand and translate simple runic inscriptions in Old Norse
• set inscriptions in a historic and cultural context

Old Norse language:

Knowledge:

The student has:

• a deeper knowledge of Old Norse language structure (phonology, morphology, and syntax) compared to the basic level
• knowledge of the language history Old Norse is part of
• knowledge of different types of Old Norse texts, normalization, and editions
• knowledge of standardizing and editions of Old Norse texts

Skills:

The candidate can

• read, understand, and translate Old Norse texts in standardized Old Norse, using a grammar and a dictionary
• make a grammatical account of Old Norse texts
• set Old Norse texts in a linguistic and culture-historical context

General competence (both variants): - use relevant terminology to present the academic content of the course orally and in writing

Lectures/seminars and written assignments. Runology usually includes an excursion to inspect physical inscriptions.

Obligatory assignments: Up to 4 obligatory activities, as defined by the instructor before the term. This can include participation in the excursion in the runology course. Approved obligatory assignments are valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given and the following semester).