Nordic Studies

Major in Nordic Studies
36 semester hours

Language
16 semester hours of Norwegian, or demonstrated proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing at the 201 level in another Nordic language.

  • NORW 101: Elementary Norwegian (4)
  • NORW 102: Elementary Norwegian (4)
  • NORW 201: Intermediate Norwegian (4)
  • NORW 202: Intermediate Norwegian (4)

*A maximum of 4 semester hours could be waived for a student testing into NORW 201 or 202 or its equivalent level in another Nordic language.

Lower Division
4 semester hours, selected from:

  • NORD 227: The Vikings (4)
  • NORD 241: Nordic Folklore (4)
  • NORD 286: Sámi Culture in Global Indigenous Contexts (4)

Textual Analysis
8 semester hours, selected from:

  • NORD 341: Migrant Voices in Nordic Literature (4)
  • NORD 342: Nordic Literature and Social Change (4)
  • NORD 343: Topics in Nordic Film (4)
  • NORD 363: Culture, Gender, and the Wild (4)

Electives
4 semester hours selected from any course not used above, or from:

  • NORD 231: Language and Identity (4)
  • NORD 322: Scandinavia and World Issues (4)
  • NORD 384: Scandinavian Government and Politics (4)
  • MUSI 106: Music of Scandinavia (4)
  • Sometimes applicable to this category, consult with department chair for applicability:
    • PHIL 238: Existentialism and the Meaning of Life (4)

Minor in Norwegian
20 semester hours

Language
16 semester hours

  • NORW 101: Elementary Norwegian (4)
  • NORW 102: Elementary Norwegian (4)
  • NORW 201: Intermediate Norwegian (4)
  • NORW 202: Intermediate Norwegian (4)

Elective
4 semester hours; may be any additional NORW course(s) or any NORD course(s).

Norwegian

NORW 101 : Elementary Norwegian

Basic skills in speaking, reading, listening and writing are introduced and practiced in an interactive classroom atmosphere. Readings introduce contemporary Norwegian culture and society. (4)

NORW 102 : Elementary Norwegian

Basic skills in speaking, reading, listening and writing are introduced and practiced in an interactive classroom atmosphere. Readings introduce contemporary Norwegian culture and society. (4)

NORW 201 : Intermediate Norwegian - C

Continuing development of written and oral skills, with a review of basic grammar, development of short essay writing, an emphasis on conversation, and an introductory overview of Norwegian history and society. Readings also offer insights into contemporary culture and provide springboards for students to express their own opinions. Prerequisite: NORW 102. (4)

NORW 202 : Intermediate Norwegian - C

Continuing development of written and oral skills, with a review of basic grammar, development of short essay writing, an emphasis on conversation, and an introductory overview of Norwegian history and society. Readings also offer insights into contemporary culture and provide springboards for students to express their own opinions. Prerequisite: NORW 102. (4)

NORW 291 : Directed Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

NORW 301 : Conversation & Composition - C

Review of grammar, and development of advanced written and oral skills. Contemporary fiction, non-fiction and film serve as models of style and usage, and as the basis for conversation and writing. Prerequisite: NORW 202. (4)

NORW 302 : Advanced Conversation and Composition - C

Emphasizes the finer points of grammar and stylistics, focusing on the production of advanced written compositions and further refinement of conversational skills. Readings are drawn from literature spanning the last two centuries, and serve as the springboard for discussion. Prerequisite: NORW 301. (4)

Nordic Studies

NORD 190 : FYEP190: Inquiry Seminar

A four-credit seminar to introduce students to the methods and topics of study within a particular academic discipline or field. Students practice the academic skills that are at the center of the General Education Program. (4)

NORD 227 : The Vikings

This course examines Old Norse culture and history during the Viking period (approximately 750-1100), focusing on Viking expansion and interactions with external European, Asian and American societies, conversion to Christianity and the emergence of medieval kingdoms, and on how our historical understanding of the Vikings is produced. (4)

NORD 231 : Language and Identity - C

Language and its relation to identity are studied comparatively in this course. A minimum of two cultures of the Nordic region provide the context for the study of preservation and adaptation, the role of written and oral narrative in the formation of identity and language development in a historical context. (4)

NORD 241 : Nordic Folklore - C, LT

The course explores traditional and contemporary folk belief of the Nordic region as expressed in the genres of legends, folktales, ballads, and jokes. The influence of oral and written folk narrative on forming national and cultural identities, marginalizing social groups, resisting marginalization, and articulating worldviews are topics of the course. (4)

NORD 286 : Sámi Culture in Global Indigenous Contexts - A or C

Through a variety of media students will be introduced to the Indigenous Sámi of northern Scandinavia and Russia, and will develop an understanding of Sámi culture, history, and worldviews as well as of contemporary issues concerning the Sámi and other Indigenous peoples, including peoples in the United States. In English. (4)

NORD 287 : Special Topics in Nordic Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

NORD 291 : Directed Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

NORD 322 : Scandinavia and World Issues

This course examines how Scandinavia, or the Nordic region, is situated within larger global contexts, and the ways in which some key world issues intersect with the peoples, states, and societies of the region. Issues studied may include such things as globalization, migration, sustainability, conflict and peace, Indigeneity, xenophobia, and issues relating to gender and sexuality. (4)

NORD 341 : Migrant Voices in Nordic Literature - A, LT

This course emphasizes the ways in which migrant experiences are voiced in literature of migration from the Nordic region to the U.S. and migration from around the world to the Nordic region. These literary voices are studied as alternative perspectives to dominant cultural norms. (4)

NORD 342 : Nordic Literature and Social Change - C, LT

Literature of the Nordic region is examined within cultural movements that challenge the social status quo. Possible topics include women's rights, minority perspectives, labor rights, Indigeneity, and the environment. The course is taught in English. (4)

NORD 343 : Topics in Nordic Film - C, LT

This course emphasizes the cross-cultural study of Nordic societies through the analysis of film as a rich site of textual meaning. Topics may include such things as immigrant perspectives, gender and sexuality, imag(in)ing the nation, genre studies, or studies of specific analytical approaches or national cinemas. May be repeated for credit for different topic areas. Taught in English. (4)

NORD 363 : Culture, Gender, and the Wild - C, LT

Studies will study how understandings of nature and the wild are constructed in literature using the hierarchic languages of gender, race, and culture. A comparative approach will examine Nordic texts in larger global contexts. All readings in English (except for Norwegian majors). (4)

NORD 387 : Special Topics in Nordic Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

NORD 487 : Special Topics in Nordic Studies

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

NORD 491 : Independent Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with advanced study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as IS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

NORD 495 : Internships - SR

To permit undergraduate students to relate theory and practice in a work situation. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Intern: followed by the specific title designated by the instructor in consultation with the student. (2 or 4).

NORD 499 : Capstone: Senior Project - SR

To enable senior students in an academic unit to share their work and receive group criticism. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Capstone and may be followed by a specific title designated by the academic unit. (4)