In this course, you will learn to read and interpret Sweden's oldest texts. The runes and runic inscriptions are a remarkable cultural heritage. The ability to read them serves as a gateway back in time. The course provides basic knowledge in reading runic inscriptions spanning all the way from the 2nd century right up until the 19th century, with an emphasis on the late Viking Age. In order to understand the inscriptions and their purposes, you will learn some principal features of the Old East Norse language and gain insight into the societies in which the inscriptions were produced. Outline for distance course: The course is a distance course and is carried out in a learning platform. Access to internet connected computer and headset is necessary. The course is based on self-study and communication in the web-based teaching environment and is aimed at those who feel comfortable with digital teaching formats. Learning, knowledge control and supervision takes place via the internet. Keep in mind that a distance learning course requires just as much work as a regular campus course. You are expected to have the ability to plan and manage your own study time.