Islandic Millennia Subject of April 18 Lecture"  

SALISBURY, MD---Award-winning and internationally recognized Viking historian Jenny Jochens presents “Two Islandic Millennia: The Conversion to Christianity and the Discovery of Vinland,” Wednesday, April 18, at 8 p.m. in Fulton Hall 111 as part of Salisbury State University’s Writers-on-the-Shore Spring Literary Festival.

Jochens is preceded by three SSU faculty who will discuss Iceland and related cultural matters on Monday, April 16, in Fulton Hall 111 at 4 p.m. A reception sponsored by the International Club and SOAP follows. 

Dr. Chapman McGrew, SSU geography professor, discusses Iceland's volcanic past and the relation of Icelanders to the land and sea, Elizabeth Ragan, SSU history faculty, discusses Viking archaeology and Dr. Maarten Pereboom of the History Department demonstrates ways the Nazis used Norse mythology for propaganda.

     As a leading expert on women in Viking culture, Jochens is best known for her recent books on the topic, Women in Old Norse Society (1998) and Old Norse Images of Women (1996).

     "The book serves the dual purpose of establishing a focus on women and of providing an enormous amount of good cultural history," said Theodore Andersson, professor at Stanford University.

     Jochens, professor emerita at Towson University, has presented her more than 35 essays for organizations including the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study and the International Saga Conference. At such conferences, she has stood alongside other leaders in the field of Viking studies including Andersson and Stefan Karlsson, past director. She also lectures in Denmark, London and Paris.

     Her more than 100 book reviews have appeared in American Historical Review, Scandinavian Studies, Speculum and numerous foreign journals.

     For information call 410-543-6030 or visit the University's Web site at www.salisbury.edu.