Among the adventures this course will take students on is a sailing trip on a full sized Viking ship.

Participation requires a high school exam or comparable.

Text books
Participants will need a copy of the Gísla Saga in Icelandic as well as in their mother tongue. Icelandic, English and German copies will be available at the book stores in Ísafjörður. It is recommended that participants bring along a small dictionary of modern Icelandic for daily use.

There will be some copies of classical Icelandic dictionaries at the library, but they will not be for loan. Students who want to use a dictionary of classical Icelandic are recommended to buy one in their home countries or at the local book stores.

For the introduction to the structure of classical Icelandic as well as language history:
To be announced soon.

Other course materials are provided by the teachers in the form of photocopies. This material is not included in the course fee  and will be available in the University Center of the Westfjords for ISK 3,000.

Learning outcomes:

• Participants will be able to read an original saga text with the help of a dictionary and grammar.
• Participants will have gained an understanding of history and structure of classical Icelandic and modern Icelandic, documented through an exam.
• Participants will have a basic knowledge of modern Icelandic, making it easier for them to understand classical texts and interact in modern Icelandic society.
• Participants will know basic facts about saga literature and life in saga times.
• Participants will have a thorough understanding of one of the sagas, Gísla Saga, and can use this knowledge to interpret other sagas.

Assessment:

• Preparatory reading.
• Regular, active participation.
• Exercises, homework, group work.
• Exam.
• Additional forms available if required by the student's home university.
  

Participants will receive a graded certification as well as a certification of participation.

Accreditation/ECTS:

The University Centre of the Westfjords recommends that this course should, with regard to work load for the students, yield 4 ECTS.