| Committee | Major | Cross Disciplinary Courses | Scandinavian Courses | Norwegian Courses |
253.535.7314
www.plu.edu/~scan
Scandinavian Area Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers a unique perspective on Scandinavia past and present, while developing useful analytical, cross-cultural and communicative skills. Students can easily combine their study of Scandinavia with other majors drawn from disciplines from many university departments. The program reflects both the Scandinavian heritage of the university and the dynamic profile of the Scandinavian cultures within the world community today.
Scandinavian Studies Committee: Berguson, Chair and Program Director; Grosvenor, Hegstad, Reiman, Rønning, Storfjell, Trelstad.
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 semester hours)
- Eight semester hours in Scandinavian cultural history
- Four semester hours in Scandinavian literature
- Students will choose from an approved list of additional Scandinavian and cross-disciplinary courses in accordance with personal interests and goals and in consultation with the program director
- Four semester hours in cross-disciplinary course
- Two semester hours in a senior project
- Eight semester hours of electives
With the approval of the Scandinavian Studies director, selected January-term, summer, experimental courses and an internship may be included in the major program.
No more than eight 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 the Nordic region. 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.
Financial aid applies to PLU's partnership program, "Contemporary Global Issues: The Norwegian Approach," that takes place each fall semester at Hedmark University College in Norway. Study opportunities are also available at a variety of other institutions in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Appropriate coursework completed abroad should be submitted to the Scandinavian Studies director for approval toward the major.
Students interested specifically in Norwegian language and literature 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.
Languages:
NORW 101, 102: Elementary (4, 4)
NORW 201, 202: Intermediate, C(4, 4)
NORW 301: Conversation and Composition, C (4)
NORW 302: Advanced Conversation and Composition (4)
Cultural History: (All courses taught in English)
SCAN 150 Introduction to Scandinavia (4)
SCAN 321: Topics in Scandinavian Culture and Society - S1 (4)
SCAN/POLS 322: Scandinavia and World Issues (4)
SCAN 327: The Vikings (4)
Literature: (All courses taught in English)
SCAN 241: Scandinavian Folklore – LT (4)
SCAN 341: Topics in Scandinavian Literature - LT (4)
SCAN 422: Scandinavian Literature in the 19th and 20th Centuries - LT (4)
Consult with the program director to determine applicability.
ECON 335: European Economics Integration (4)
ENGL 334: Special Topics in Children's Literature (4)
HIST 325: Reformation – S1 (4)
MUSI 106: Music of Scandinavia – AR, C (4)
POLS 331: International Relations – S1 (4)
POLS 380: Politics of Global Development - S1 (4)
RELI 361: Church History Studies – R2 (4)
SCAN 150: Introduction to Scandinavia
Introduction to the cultures and societies of the Nordic region,
including the countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and
Sweden, and the autonomous regions of Åland, the Faroe Islands, and
Greenland. A brief geographic and historical overview is followed by an
investigation of contemporary Scandinavian societies. Topics for
reading and discussion include culture and identity construction,
international peace building and development, and the perspectives of
recent immigrants and the indigenous Sámi and Greenlander peoples.
Films, art, and literature supplement course readings. Taught in
English. (4)
SCAN 241: Scandinavian Folklore - LT
Through reading of myths, folktales, ballads and legends, the course
critiques the role of folk narrative as an expression of identity and
world view in traditional and contemporary Scandinavian societies.
Examples of folk performance in music and film supplement the readings.
Course is conducted in English: readings are in translation for
non-majors. (4)
SCAN 321: Topics in Scandinavian Culture and Society
This course concentrates on special topics such as the development
of the Welfare State, Scandinavia and the European Union, Nordic colonialism, and the role
of migrations in the changing society. May be repated for credit for different topic areas.(4)
SCAN 322: Scandinavia and World Issues - S1
This course traces the involvement of the Scandinavian countries in
world organizations, such as the United Nations and the roles the
countries have played in world politics. The focus will be on the
Nordic approach to democracy, aid to developing countries and peace
making, as well as initiatives, projects and activities in which
Scandinavians are currently involved around the world. Cross-listed with POLS 322. (4)
SCAN 327: The Vikings - S1
The world of the Vikings; territorial expansion; interaction of the
Vikings with the rest of Europe. Course taught in English (cross-listed with HIST
327). (4)
SCAN 341: Topics in Scandinavian Literature - LT
Selected literary works provide an in-depth study of topics such as
indigenous Sami population, women authors, nature and environment, and
conflict and peace. Course is conducted in English; readings are in
translation for non-majors. (4)
SCAN 422: Scandinavian Literature in the 19th and 20th Centuries - LT
Representative works are studied within their social, historical and
literary contexts. Readings include drama, novels, short stories and
poetry. Course is conducted in English; readings are in translation for
non-majors. (4)
SCAN 491: Independent Studies (1-4)
SCAN 492: Independent Studies (1-4)
SCAN 495: Internships (2-4)
SCAN 499: Capstone: Senior Project - SR
A research paper, internship or other approved project. Open only to Scandinavian Area Studies majors. (2)
A minimum of 34 semester hours, including NORW 101–102, 201–202, 301–302, and SCAN 421 or 422.
20 semester hours, which may include NORW 101–102