Norse Mythology for High School

Students will read, discuss, analyze, and write about literary elements in stories from Norse Mythology. Students will need to purchase a copy of the book Gods and Heroes from Viking Mythology by Brian Branston. A schedule and reading discussion guide will be posted for each week's reading assignments. There will be two *essays assigned in this class; one essay will be due in Week 4 and the other will be due in Week 8. Guidelines and further instructions for the essays will be given during Week 1 of the class, and I will offer additional help and information for students as we go. 
Schedule: 
(Please note that each week's scheduled reading will need to be done BEFORE that week's class meeting. For example, the myths listed for Week 1 need to be read BEFORE our first class meeting. Please be sure to order your book in a timely manner.)
Week 1: The Tricking of King Gylfi; The World of Ice and Fire; The Creation of the World; Night and Day
Week 2: The First Humans; Yggdrasill; The World Ash; The Golden Age in Asgard
Week 3: Heimdall in Midgard, The Norns; Loki and His Evil Children; War in Heaven
*Week 4: The Walls of Asgard; The Apples of Eternal Life; Odin Prepares for Ragnarok
*Essay one is due this week.
Week 5: Sigurd the Dragon-Slayer; The Story of Trembling Hood; Fenrir the Wolf is Bound
Week 6: How Thor Got His Hammer; Thor Fights the Giant Krungnir; Thor Goes Fishing
Week 7: Thor in the Giants' Stronghold; Thor's Holiday; The Stealing of Thor's Hammer
**Week 8: The Death of Balder; The God's Revenge; The Ragnarok; Doom of the Gods; The Gods Return; King Gylfi is Tricked Again
**Essay two is due this week.
- Students will be expected to complete each week's reading assignments and come to class prepared to analyze and discuss what was read. I will post a reading discussion guide in pdf format each week in order to help students prepare for the week's discussion. Our class time will be a mixture of lecture and discussion. I will use slides to enhance visual learning and to guide each week's discussion and analysis. 
- I encourage learner participation. I offer several opportunities for learners to share their thoughts with me and with each other. This class is intended to be interactive. 
- No prior knowledge is needed for this class.