A Rice University class is using Skyrim to teach students about Norse mythology
10/20/12 9:20pm
A fascinating new junior level English Literature course has appeared on the Rice University schedule for next semester and its a class mythology buffs and gamers alike who are attending the private Texan university may be interested in signing up for.
The new class is designed to teach students Scandinavian Norse mythology, while at the same time teaching them about the influence of fantasy within the gamer culture, and it does so by integrating a complete playthrough of Skyrim (or at least a semester’s worth) into their studies.
Don’t believe me? Here’s the full course description of Scandinavian Fantasy Worlds: Old Norse Sagas and Skyrim:
"This course has two goals. First, it introduces students to fantasy as both psychological concept and driving force in gamer culture; and second, using these paradigms, it considers how and why medieval Scandinavia serves as a locus of modern Anglo-American fantasy. To these ends, students will read selections from Old Norse and Old Icelandic sagas (in translation) as they play different quests within Skyrim."
"While the course begins by identifying moments of intersection between the worlds of the sagas and of Skyrim (inclement environments, supernatural figures, mythologies), the course is not in any means meant to map the former onto the latter. The purpose of establishing these connections is to then consider how elements of medieval Scandinavian culture have been taken out of historical milieu and literary context, morphed into unfamiliar shape, and appropriated towards other fantastic pursuits."
"We'll consider the political saga of Skyrim, with its emphasis on Empire and rebellion, as pursuits made possible by way of Scandinavia in order to think through what Scandinavian fantasy worlds are really about and why they resonate with contemporary Anglo-American culture."
I must say as someone who majored in English Literature; I think this class sounds educational and provides a sound excuse to use student loan money to feed one’s gaming habit. It’s quite the win/win predicament. *Sips tea* Yes quite. :P
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g1 DISCUSSIONS
alan.kegan
There are a lot of things the students can learn about the Norse mythology by playing Skyrim, if you would ask my son about this I am sure he could give you a lot of details, he is a lawyer and has advanced business skills but his passion is video games. He did not play at all during college, he put a strong goal to get good grades and decided that playing video games takes too much time.
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darkhyrulelord
Cool concept. Kinda reminds me of how Age of Mythology and Okami have quite a bit of mythological facts/traits going on in those games.
UltimateSaiyan
Oh my gawd, that would be such an awesome course!
+5 faith in humanity.
MagnumMagnus
Makes me wanna take the course.
Incidentally, the whole banning of Talos worship element of the story is a bit of a parallel to the Christians overrunning the worship of Thor, who was the chief protector of humanity to Scandinavian folk.
NemesisTrestkon
Something tells me this class will also learn how an arrow to the knee will secure your future as a guard somewhere.
Sean Capdeville
Awesome idea! I wish there were more classes like this.
ShinraCorp
Ok Skyrim doesn't accurately portray Norse mythology in the first place... I'm sorry but vampires are not Norse mythology. They're better off playing Age of Mythology and watching Thor or heck read Thor comics. Skyrim uses Norse but in their own twisted way... So if you want to be the laughing stock for learning the wrong things the whole time go right ahead....
FAWCUNPAWNCH
You're overthinking it.Skyrim is inspired by norse and medieval folklore,it retains a lot of the culture elements from back then.Plus,if you read the article,not only the title,you'll know the goal is not to present a accurate representation of norse culture,but to make a link to modern fantasy.Skyrim is the perfect game for that.