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Scandinavian Area Studies is a flexible program which draws on many university departments. It offers a broad perspective on Scandinavia past and present, while developing useful analytical and communicative skills. The program reflects both the Scandinavian heritage of the university and the dynamic profile of Scandinavia within the world community today.
Scandinavian Studies Committee: Toven, Chair and Program Director; Berguson, Hegstad, Myrbo, C. Nelson, Ringdahl, Rψnning.
Students enrolled in the Scandinavian Area Studies program are expected to demonstrate the equivalent of two years of Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish language instruction (16 hours). To gain a basic understanding of the region, they also take 6 hours in Scandinavian cultural history and 4 hours in Scandinavian literature.
Majors choose additional Scandinavian and cross-disciplinary courses in accordance with personal interests and goals and in consultation with the program director (4 hours in cross-disciplinary course, 2 hours in a senior project, and 8 hours of electives). A total of 40 semester hours is required. With the approval of the Scandinavian Studies director, selected January-term, summer, and experimental courses may be included in the major program. No more than 8 semester hours may be offered to meet both the Scandinavian Area Studies major and general university requirements or requirements for a second major. Such cross-application of courses must be approved by the Scandinavian Studies director.
The cross-disciplinary courses listed below offer an opportunity to view the Scandinavian countries in comparison with other world regions. They are regular departmental offerings in which students enrolled in the Scandinavian Area Studies major focus their reading and work assignments to a significant extent on Scandinavia. Students must consult with the program director concerning registration for these courses.
Students are encouraged, though not required, to study in Scandinavia as part of their program. Study opportunities are available at a variety of institutions in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. FInancial aid applies to PLUs partnership program, "Democracy, Development, and Peace: The Norwegian Approach," that takes place each fall semester at Hedmark University College in Norway. Appropriate coursework completed abroad should be submitted to the Scandinavian Studies director for approval toward the major.
Students interested specifically in Norwegian language study are referred to the description of the Norwegian major under the Department of Languages and Literatures. All core Scandinavian courses are taught out of this department.
Scandinavian Courses
Languages:
Norwegian 101, 102 Elementary
Norwegian 201, 202 Intermediate
Norwegian 301 Conversation and Composition
Norwegian 302 Advanced Conversation and Composition
Cultural History:
Scandinavian 150 Introduction to Scandinavia
Scandinavian 322 Scandinavia and World Politics
Scandinavian 324 The Emigrants
Scandinavian 327 The Vikings
Literature:
Scandinavian 250 Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature LT
Scandinavian 421 Ibsen and Strindberg LT
Scandinavian 422 20th-Century Scandinavian Literature LT
Cross-disciplinary Courses Sometimes Applicable to the Scandinavian Area Studies Major: Consult with the program director to determine applicability.
English 313/Art 331 The Art of the Book I
English 334 Special Topics in Children's Literature
History 323 The Middle Ages S1
History 325 Reformation S1
Music 106 Music of Scandinavia AR, C
Philosophy 338 Existentialism and Continental Philosophy PH
Political Science 331 International Relations S1
Political Science 380 Politics of Global Development S1
Political Science 383 Modern European Politics S1
Religion 224 The Lutheran Heritage R2
Religion 361 Church History Studies R2
499 Capstone: Senior Project SR
A research paper, internship, or other approved project. For Scandinavian Area Studies majors. F S (2)