Norwegian Saga

I’d like to take the opportunity, here on my soapbox, to explain exactly what I’m doing in Oslo, Norway. I’m sure most of you have a vague notion that I’m here for school but you may not know any more than that. Hopefully this post will elucidate everything nicely.

I’m at the very earliest stages of pursuing a master of philosophy (M.Phil) in Nordic Viking and Medieval Culture at the University of Oslo (they don’t have M.A.s here). I have to complete 60 credits to earn the degree. The majority of the work will be a thesis of 70-100 pages. (How I’m going to write so much I have no idea). The work is to be completed in 2 years (4 semesters). I get to take five courses over that time in addition to the thesis seminar. Two courses are taken in the first semester, which I’m currently doing, they are: Old Norse language and medieval manuscript studies.

My thesis topic concerns the Viking understanding of property and ownership. I will attempt to study these concepts through the law tracts and the sagas. Of course the thesis itself will be significantly smaller in scope, ownership is rather broad. I have to limit the work in a few ways such as selecting which sagas I’m going to use, which location I will focus on (probably Iceland), and which subjects specifically to deal with (inheritance, oath-giving, the corporal body, conventional owned goods, land, marital relations, etc.) and so on.

As for sustaining myself, I’ve managed to find work teaching/tutoring students who want to learn English, cool huh?

All that I need now is a residence permit (as I mentioned in an earlier post). Having filed it almost a month ago I’m expecting to hear back shortly. My passport only grants me the possibility of staying here without a residence permit for 90 days (until 8 November 2008). If, for some reason, they decline my application for a student residence permit I’m going to have to fly out to Poland for a weekend and come back in.

I’m returning to Canada on the 18th of December for Christmas. I’m not sure for how long, but as long as I can. I still don’t know when the term starts in January.

As for why I’m here not anywhere else. That’s easy, it’s all about a girl. Don’t mistake, I love history, but to change my life as radically as I did for school… just wouldn’t happen. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t like change, that I’m a creature of routine (and comfort). School just doesn’t meet the requirements for Tommy to change his ways, this girl on the other hand does.

So I will keep you posted regarding the residence permit and everything else. I’m sorry for the lack of photos folks, but my batteries ran out and I’m looking for a charger. As soon as I get one I get out again and get shooting.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS