The study of Scandinavian provides insight into the cultural heritage of the modern social democracies of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. To a degree out of proportion to their relatively small size, these countries have made important contributions to Western civilization, from the Vikings with their seamanship and arts, to the pioneers of modern drama – Ibsen and Strindberg – and from the social welfare state and the ombudsman to discoveries in physics and medicine. These countries today rank high in the attainment of quality of life goals of the post-industrial society and offer interesting comparisons for other industrial and third world societies.
The Scandinavian program offers courses that take the pan-Scandinavian view in literature, history, society, and the arts plus those that focus in depth on Swedish language and literature. Work at the University of Uppsala during a junior year abroad program further enhances students’ opportunity for graduate study, careers in teaching, international business, or global organizations.
Prerequisites & Distribution: Swedish 103. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Swedish 100. (4). (LR).
Credits: (4).
Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~johannae/
Second-term Swedish is intended for students with a previous knowledge of Swedish, up to a level of Swedish 103. The emphasis is placed on developing communicative language skills, both written and oral, review and extension of basic grammar. Oral, written, and listening exercises will be employed in the classroom and the language lab. The textbook will be supplemented by newspaper articles, a children's book, some Swedish poems, etc.
The instruction will principally be in Swedish. Students are evaluated on the basis of examinations and class participation. Students needing Swedish 103 or the equivalent for entry into 104 can meet this prerequisite by passing an examination by the instructor.
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Prerequisites & Distribution: Swedish 104 or 100. (4). (LR).
Credits: (4).
Course Homepage: http://www.umich.edu/~johannae/
This course covers the material of a second-year course in Swedish language. The emphasis is on speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Readings are selected (for oral and written commentary) from contemporary Swedish literature, such as fiction, lyrics, news articles, etc.
All instruction will be in Swedish and tests and examinations will be given at regular intervals. Grades will be determined on the basis of class participation and tests. Students needing Swedish 103 and 104 or the equivalent for entry into this course can meet the prerequisite by passing an examination given by the instructor. The instructor is a native speaker from Sweden.
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Prerequisites & Distribution: Junior standing. (3). (Excl).
Credits: (3).
Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.
The Icelandic Sagas and the Finnish Kalevala are the mythic stories
of the Nordic cultures. They began to be documented with the Poetic and
Prose Eddas in Iceland after the Christianization of the cultures, and
were written down by church scribes, but their sources are derived from
pre-Christian mythic origins.
In this course, we will read some of the
major sagas and myths, including the Njal's Saga, which comes from the
13th Century by an unknown author, but is based on historical events in
Iceland 300 years earlier, and which describes the grim world in which
justice means vengeance, and all men are either lucky or unlucky. We will
continue with Erik the Red and other Icelandic Sagas. These are at the
heart-strand of the native literature of medieval Iceland, part of the
heroic literature of the Germanic peoples, including Thorstein the
Staff-Struck; Hrafnkel, the Priest; Thidrandi, whom the Goddess slew;
Gunnlaug Wormtongue; King Hrolf and his champions. We will also read the
Saga of the Volsungs, the Norse epic of Sigurd, the Dragon Slayer.
Not least, we will conclude with the Finnish creation myth: the Kalevala,
which celebrates the 150th year of its discovery at this time. Background
readings will also be assigned.
Grades will be based on critical discussion of the readings, class
participation, essays, oral presentations, and a term paper. The language
of the classroom will be English.
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This page was created at 8:13 AM on Wed, Jan 19, 2000.