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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Old Norse Mythology in the Sources by University of Colorado Boulder

4.7
stars
327 ratings

About the Course

This course is an introduction to the religion of the Vikings as it is recorded in Old Norse and Scandinavian literature from the medieval period. You will learn about the different written sources and what they can teach us about pre-Christian religion in northern Europe in the Viking Age. The course surveys the primary collection of Old Norse poetry about the pre-Christian Scandinavian gods, the Poetic Edda. We will also work with the main collections of stories about the Old Norse gods in prose: Snorri Sturluson's Edda and Saxo's History of the Danes....

Top reviews

FR

Feb 16, 2023

t A very interesting course. I began with some minor knowledge of the subject and now feel much better informed. It has given me much food for thought and ideas for further research.

Thank you!

MD

Mar 6, 2023

Great introduction to Norse Mythology and the intricacies and history woven into them. Much more than just memorizing names of gods and their special characteristics. Would love a follow up class.

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76 - 100 of 110 Reviews for Old Norse Mythology in the Sources

By Juliette F

Feb 21, 2022

superb course, well written and presented

By Ismael M S

Sep 24, 2024

Very useful and a perfect introduction.

By Ana T

Jul 20, 2024

Fantástico, interesante!!Muy agradecida

By tara k

Jul 5, 2024

Superb introduction to the subject.

By Margherita C

Aug 1, 2023

It opened a whole new world for me.

By Maria J

Feb 21, 2023

A very enjoyable course, thanks!

By Francisco O C F

Jan 31, 2022

Excelente curso introductorio.

By Glenys A G

Sep 11, 2023

Thoroughly enjoyed this course

By Cathleen A C

Sep 13, 2022

Interesting and informative!

By Sangramdeb C

Jul 5, 2023

Thank you for this course.

By Gina M

Jul 19, 2022

i loved this course!

By Leigh-Anne C

Jun 12, 2023

an amazing course!

By Chi M

Oct 31, 2022

challenging course

By Daniela A

Sep 13, 2022

Amazing course

By Pawel M

Jan 11, 2024

Well sourced.

By Michael H

Feb 24, 2022

thorough

By Margot O

Nov 5, 2024

Nice and (probably) complete overview of the poems and sources. Context of the time period could be better, because the turbulent times that made the poems written down are not fully explaned. Snorri might have written his Edda to prevent losing all the knowledge, explanations and history the Christians didn't like. There is very much disappeard, because there are hardly sources to find between 400 and 900 CE, which is the time we are to told that we already were Christians. It's been a time of religious war, that we are not supposed to know. Snorri probably was no christian, nor proves that he believed in the old Norse mythology. Adapting to Christian "values" ment preserving the Nordic Mythology. You might give him the credit for that. For lots of tales are lost.

By Gopinadh K

Jun 23, 2022

The dreamy and vibrant mythology of Scandinavia is really awesome!Some of the gods of the region are ever remembered,like Thor through Thursday.Ivwas knowing it before joining the course!The mythological writing is splendid and mystical.For instance,as per the saga of Ynglings,Freyja taught Odin The skill of magic Seidr/Seid.Skaldic poetry,Eddic poetry,Snorric Edda,Pre-Christian Scandinavian religious matters, the myth about mead of poetry,the central theme in the sayings of the High One - all these spread the vibrant tapestry of the Scandinavian old Norse mythology.

By Suzanne C

Dec 10, 2021

An interesting course! I hope that the specialization mentioned in the introduction video gets made; I'd take it! The videos were perfect bite-size bits of information, and the as-you-go quizzes were helpful. There were some with answers that contradicted themselves though; that would be my only complaint! Nevertheless, a fun an interesting course!

By Niven K

Aug 27, 2024

I thought it was great, but perhaps, there were moments when it was a little dry. And while I think that is the nayure of the study of the sources, I felt that maybe, there could have been case studies, or more development of particular significant stories. But honestly, it gave me clarity. Thank you!

By Jeffery G

Jul 3, 2022

Course is suitable for me who is almost a total beginner besides a little knowledge on the sagas and tales. YOu will learn a lot of basic information and systematic information, but it will not go into depth of the characters, stories and myths, but it is nevertheless a good introductory course.

By Jacob N

Oct 2, 2022

I'd give this class 3.5 stars if I could. The instructor seemed to be knowledgeable but the way in which he presented the information leaves a bit to be desired. Just reading off a powerpoint is not particularly engaging. I learned a bit though.

By Sam H

Jan 18, 2023

Extremely worthwhile course. Interesting material, well put together and well structured. The only suggestion I have would be to place more comprehensive explanations of wrong answers next to quiz questions, instead of just saying "incorrect".

By Shasta B

Oct 7, 2022

The first week was very rough and almost discouraged me from finishing. It just feels like a lot of words and with the accent, it is hard to follow. If it was broken up by the little quizzes between each lesson it would be much better.

By CARLOS R P

Feb 16, 2022

There´s too much text, more pictures would make it more interesting, like those of historical sites, runic language, original books from whitch the information its taken. Nice course and I hope to see a continuation.