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Scandinavian Major

May be elected as a departmental concentration (discontinued Winter 1997)

Advising.  Students are encouraged to meet the program director to discuss their interests in concentration as early as possible in their college careers.  If possible, they should take SCAND 331 (Introduction to Scandinavian Civilization) in the sophomore year.

Prerequisites to Concentration.  Fourth-term proficiency in Swedish.  Students may begin a concentration in Scandinavian Studies before this language proficiency is attained.  Students who wish to enroll in classes given in Swedish at the University of Uppsala should pass a second-year competency in Swedish.  A two-course sequence  in Western European history is strongly recommended.  (Language proficiency credits do not count as part of the concentration credits).

Concentration Program.  A minimum of 30 credits of course work in Scandinavian Studies normally includes an academic year of work abroad in Sweden or another approved university, plus 6 credits of cognate work.  (36 credits)

Required:

  • SCAND 331.  Introduction to Scandinavian Civilization (3 credits).
  • Two courses (6 credits) in Scandinavian literature or advanced (beyond second year) language. 
  • Scandinavian 430.  Colloquium.
  • Two courses (6 credits) in Scandinavian history, political science, economics, social issues.
  • Two courses (6 credits) in Scandinavian humanities: literature, music; film, art, architecture, philosophy.
  • Two upper-level courses in Scandinavian or courses with relevant Scandinavian content (6 credits).  See list of courses in other departments.
  • A cognate area of 6 credits in one discipline.  (This may be an area of second concentration.)

To fulfill requirements, normally students take:

An academic year of study abroad at the University of Uppsala (Sweden) or equivalent.  Examples:  Denmark International Study in Copenhagen, University of Oslo, Linkping University.  Advisor approval required.  The University of Michigan has an exchange agreement with the University of Uppsala for two students and at Turku University in Turku, Finland; a term or year at another U.S. Scandinavian Studies program is also an option.  15-18 credits may be taken in approved study abroad.  12-15 are to be taken at the University of Michigan.

Honors Concentration.  Students of high distinction are encouraged to consider an honors concentration in Scandinavian.  Recommendations for honors are made on the basis of outstanding performance in course work (a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 and at least 3.5 in Scandinavian courses) and a marked capacity for independent research.  The honors thesis course of (6 credits) are required and count toward concentration credits.   Honors students elect SCAND 495 and 496 in their senior year.  The first term is used to investigate a research topic, do a literature search and write a prospectus.  The second term is used to writing the thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor.  The program director serves as first or second thesis examiner.

Courses in Other Departments

The following courses, which may be included in a Scandinavian Studies concentration plan, are offered by other departments and programs:

  • HISTORY 428, The History of Scandinavia
  • ENGLISH 447, Modern Drama (Ibsen and Strindberg)
  • FILMVID 412, Major Directors (Bergman)
  • RELIGION 375, Celtic and Nordic Mythology
  • RCHUMS 383, Ibsen and Strindberg
  • RCSSCI 320, Exploring Alternatives to Capitalism (Social Welfare Systems)
  • PHIL 371, Existentialism/Kirkegaard
  • HISTART 572, Expressionalism in 20th Century Art (Munch).