30th Annual Conference of the Center for Medieval Studies
Fordham University, Lincoln Center, New York City: March 27-28, 2010

This international conference seeks to explore the ways in which traditional interpretations of medieval Scandinavian culture, literature, history, and religion are being challenged or advanced by new methodologies and new questions.  We welcome papers in all disciplines, including art and architecture, archaeology and landscape, folklore, history, law, linguistics and philology, literature, and religion, but we are particularly interested in papers that can speak to larger issues in Scandinavian studies.  These include, but are not limited to: how to resolve disputes about dating the earliest vernacular texts; orality and literacy; methods of editing vernacular texts and translations; the mechanics and meaning of Christianization; the relationship between sanctity and politics, particularly in terms of saintly rulers; the extent and impact of the Scandinavian diaspora; the periodization and pace of state formation; settlement patterns and social stratification in town and country; the relationship between ‘Scandinavian’ identities and material culture; and the influence of nationalism and romanticism on interpretative frameworks.

Participants include Lesley Abrams, Martin Chase, Matthew Driscoll, Roberta Frank, Vésteinn Olason, Kirsten Seaver, and Kirsten Wolf.

We are grateful to Stofnun Árna Magnússonar í íslenskum fræðum for permission to reproduce this image of St George and the Dragon from the Icelandic Sketchbook, AM 673 a III (third quarter of the 15th century).

Last modified: Oct. 21, 2009
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