Objectives
This unique programme introduces you to a variety of approaches to the early medieval period in England and Scandinavia, with particular emphasis on languages, scripts and texts. The course is excellent preparation for postgraduate research in the subject area, but is also suitable for those planning a career in the heritage industry, or with a more general interest. The course offers you the basic linguistic, textual and analytical skills for early medieval studies, within a broader comparative and thematic context. In addition to language and literature, Nottingham is also particularly renowned for its specialisation in Name-Studies and in Runology, and the MA programme has close links with related work in other disciplines, such as Archaeology and History.
Course description
Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies (MA)
Duration: 1 year full time, 2 to 3 years part time
Course Content
The course content combines taught modules and a dissertation.
You may choose to emphasise either Old English and Anglo-Saxon studies, or Old Norse and Viking Studies, or may pursue both within the overall comparative framework.
You will take core modules which serve as an introduction to medieval studies in general, as well as language modules in Old English, Old Norse or both (occasionally other languages may be offered).
Optional modules on this course allow you to study topics such as the history of religion or runology, or allow you to approach new disciplines, such as Name-Studies (for which the School is particularly renowned).
Finally, you will undertake a 60-credit dissertation on an appropriate research topic chosen in consultation with the course convenor.
Compulsory modules in Research Methods and Research Management will provide you with the necessary skills to pursue further postgraduate research in this area.
Course Structure
This course may be taken over 1 year, full-time (September to September) or part-time over 2 to 3 years.
Compulsory modules in Research Methods and Research Management will provide you with the necessary skills to pursue further postgraduate research in this area.
For full-time students, the taught modules are offered in the two semesters of the academic year, while the dissertation is normally completed in the summer months of June to September.
Core modules and optional modules are assessed by coursework (normally 3,000 words for a 15-credit module and 6,000 words for a 30-credit module), the language modules by a mixture of examinations and essays (normally 4,000 words of coursework and two hours of examination for 30 credits), and the dissertation module by the completed dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words
Key facts
• Nottingham is renowned for its work in Runology, Name Studies, Norse and Viking Studies and staff in the School of English Studies and the Institute of Medieval Studies have received international acclaim for their research in these areas.
• We encourage an interdisciplinary approach to Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies, and you will be able to participate in joint events and field trips with the School of History and the Department of Archaeology.
• This course is informed by work carried out in the University’s Institute for Name Studies and the Centre for the Study of the Viking Age.
