Monday–Friday at 10.00–12.00 and 13:00–15:00
In this introductory course to Early Germanic metrics, and to Old Norse metres in particular, students will: (1) Become acquainted with descriptions of Germanic alliterative metres, especially Sieversian metrics, and with the underlying linguistic principles. (2) Be introduced to the structure and function of the two main Norse metres: fornyrðislag and dróttkvætt. (3) Learn the main metrical rules and tendencies governing Old Norse versification and their importance and applicability in textual and literary criticism. At the end of the course, students will have the necessary knowledge to scan poetic lines and to recognize the formal and structural features of fornyrðislag and dróttkvætt.
Monday–Friday at 10.00–12.00 and 13:00–15:00
This course will examine some trends in diction and style that characterize Old Norse poetry in dróttkvætt throughout its history (c. 850–1400). In this genre, the use of myth, kennings and other figures reflect changes in culture and society. The course will focus on close reading of a selection of texts, covering the three main stylistic periods of skaldic diction: the pre-Christian (c. 850–1000); the early-Christian (c. 1000–1150); the ‘learned’ (c. 1150–1400). Attention will be devoted to stylistic aspects and how these relate to their cultural context. At the end of the course, students will have acquired tools and experience in reading, interpreting and analysing skaldic verse and its diction.
The course is intended for senior undergraduate students (at least 90 ECTS completed) and graduate students (MA or Ph.D. level) in literature, history, religion, linguistics, anthropology, archaeology, art history or folklore wanting to learn more about Old Norse and Early Germanic Poetics and Metrics. Some background in Old Norse or Modern Icelandic is essential.
For the electronic application, the following documentation is needed:
(1) Curriculum vitae.
In addition to your personal contact information and general educational history, you should list academic degrees completed, indicate your cumulative grade-point average (GPA), and if you have not completed your degree, state your current grade-point average.
(2) Statement of purpose (no more than 1,000 words in English) explaining your academic background and preparation for this course and why it is relevant for your studies and academic career.
(3) Transcript of academic record (transcript with a list of courses, grades, and credit hours and, if applicable, degree conferred).
(4) Proof of adequate command of English. All international applicants applying for international programmes and whose native language is not English, are required to provide proof of English proficiency in the form of TOEFL ibt (in test centre or home), IELTS Academic (in test centre), Cambridge English (CAE or CPE) or PTE Academic (in test centre or online).
Minimum score:
- TOEFL 83
- IELTS Academic 6.5
- PTE Academic 60
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(5) A clear colour scan of the photo page of your passport.
Fees: Students not already registered at the University of Iceland will, if admitted, be charged a registration fee of ISK 10,000 (around EUR 70 or USD 80, depending on the exchange rate).
To enter the Application Portal, you need to create an account:
1. Select “Login with an email address.”
2. Select “Create an account.”
3. Fill in your e-mail address.
4. Click on “Confirm.”
5. Check your e-mail for a message from admission@hi.is and confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL in the message. Note, that the message may have ended up in the spam folder.
6. Return to the Application Portal, create a password for your account and click “Create Account.”
7. Finally, log onto the Application Portal with your e-mail address and the password you created.
Once you have created your account and logged onto the Application Portal, you can fill out the online application form and attach the required documentation, as per the Application Requirements above.
For further information, please contact the organisers: Haraldur Bernharðsson (haraldr@hi.is) or Mikael Males (m.m.males@iln.uio.no).
Students enrolled at the University of Iceland should contact Haraldur Bernharðsson (haraldr@hi.is) for registration.
Application deadline: March 1, 2026.