SCAND ST 101 – First Semester Norwegian
Section 001, MTWRF 11:00 – 11:50, instructor: TBD
Section 002, MTWRF 1:20-2:10, instructor: Hager,Peggy
Prerequisites: Open to Freshmen
Language of Instruction: Norwegian
Norwegian 101 is a first semester language course that presumes no knowledge of the Norwegian language. It is open to freshman. The course develops basic skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing Norwegian. We offer a thematic, communicative approach to language teaching that strives to put language in the context of culture. Classroom time focuses on communication and listening, as well as introducing basic grammatical concepts. Homework centers on reinforcing vocabulary, reading, grammar exercises and writing. Thematic units covered in Norwegian 101 include social introductions, education, food, daily-life, leisure activities, weather and seasons. We are currently using a curriculum package published by Nancy Aarsvold and Kari Lie Dorer called Sett i gang Edition II. First semester Norwegian covers chapters 1-13 in this text.
Required Texts:
Sett i gang I Edition II (chapters 1-13)
(authors: Kari Lie Dorer and Nancy Aarsvold)
Audio and on-line exercises: free and on-line
Course Requirements and Assignments:
The final grade is determined as follows: 15% attendance and participations; 15% homework; 5% essays; 15% in-class quizzes, 45% exams, 5% oral exam
SCAND ST 111 – First Semester Swedish
Section 001, MTWRF 11:00 – 11:50, instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: Open to Freshmen
Language of Instruction: Swedish
This course is an introduction to the Swedish language. Students will learn the foundations for reading, speaking, and writing Swedish and will learn about the culture of Sweden.
SCAND ST 121 – First Semester Danish
Section 001, MTWRF 11:00 – 11:50, instructor: Schmidt,Nete
Prerequisites: Open to Freshmen
Language of Instruction: Danish
This is an introductory course in basic Danish, so we will be working with the important basic skills of language acquisition, i.e., speaking, listening reading and writing. The most important aspect of learning a new language is using it, and we will base our strategy on the communicative language teaching approach. Class time is crucial for practicing communication skills, so attendance is essential, and participation will be part of your grade. The course will also contain presentations and information about Denmark and the Danes, and you will be encouraged to make comparisons between the Danish and the American culture in order to gain a deeper understanding of differences and similarities. We will use technology regularly to work interactively with the language and to enhance our understanding of the Danish society. We will watch movies and listen to music to gain a historical and current perspective on Danish culture.
For more information see the instructors website.
SCAND ST 131 – First Semester Finnish
Section 001, MTWRF 9:55 – 10:45, instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: Open to Freshmen
Language of Instruction: Finnish
This course is an introduction to the Finnish language and assumes no prior knowledge of Finnish. The course develops basic skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking Finnish while also teaching about the culture of Finland. Time in the classroom emphasizes a communicative learning approach, where skills in speaking and listening are practiced during class and homework focuses on reinforcing vocabulary, grammatical structures, and skills in reading and writing. Music, movie, and television clips are also used both in class and with homework to help develop a deeper understanding of Finnish language and culture.
SCAND ST 201 – Second Year Norwegian
Section 001, MTWR 2:25 – 3:15, instructor: Hager,Peggy
Prerequisites: SCAND ST 102 or equivalent, open to undergraduates
Language of Instruction: Norwegian
Norwegian 201 is an intermediate third semester language course that requires the completion of Norwegian 102 or equivalent. The course builds on the vocabulary introduced in first year Norwegian and strives to examine various aspects of Norwegian culture through texts, video, internet and classroom discussion. The class is taught entirely in Norwegian. In the first few weeks we finish our Sett I Gang II textbook (main units are body, health, travel) and then read the popular contemporary Norwegian writer Erlend Loe’s short story Fisken. Students dialog with other classmates throughout the semester in the form of topical journals. The class makes extensive use of technologies including internet activities, video clips and podcasts.
Required Texts:
Sett i gang II (chapters 24-30)
(authors: Kari Lie Dorer and Nancy Aarsvold)
Erlend Loe, Fisken
compendium of materials
SCAND ST 211 – Second Year Swedish
Section 001, MTWR 9:55 – 10:45, instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: SCAND ST 112
Language of Instruction: Swedish
This course continues the study of the Swedish language from the first year sequence.
SCAND ST 221 – Second Year Danish
Section 001, MTWR 9:55 – 10:45, instructor: Schmidt,Nete
Prerequisites: SCAND ST 122
Language of Instruction: Danish
The purpose of this class is to continue building on the Danish skills gained in 121 and 122. Our motto will be: The more Danish, the better! We will be talking, listening, reading and writing. We will include some more grammar and grammatical exercises, and we will expand your vocabulary, working towards a higher degree of proficiency in Danish. Apart from continuing with the textbooks, we will also be reading more authentic texts that cover aspects of contemporary Danish culture. We will watch movies and listen to music representing Danish popular culture. We will use technology to improve our interactive communication and to enhance our understanding of Denmark and the Danes.
For more information see the instructors website.
SCAND ST 251 – Readings in Norwegian Lit
Section 001, TR 2:30 – 3:45, instructor: Krouk,Dean N.
Prerequisites: SCAND ST 202
Language of Instruction: Norwegian
A selection of Norwegian prose, poetry, and drama from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries read in the original, with attention to social criticism and historical contexts. Authors include Henrik Ibsen, Amalie Skram, Cora Sandel, Knut Hamsun, Gunvor Hofmo, Torborg Nedreaas, Paal Brekke, Rolf Jacobsen, Aksel Sandemose, and others.
Required Texts:
All texts will be available on course Canvas website.
Email address of instructor for any questions: krouk@wisc.edu
SCAND ST 261 – Readings in Swedish Lit
Section 001, MWF 1:20-2:10, instructor: Brantly,Susan
Prerequisites: SCAND ST 212
Language of Instruction: Swedish
This course represents the 5th semester of Swedish language instruction.
Students will exercise their language skills, as we read, discuss, and write about short literary texts. We begin with fairly modern Swedish texts and work our way backward in time, so that students become familiar with some of the language changes over the past century. Students can expect their vocabularies to improve, as well as their ability to express themselves orally and in writing.
Required Texts:
The reading materials will be provided by the instructor.
SCAND ST 271 – Readings in Danish Lit
Section 001, TR 11:00 – 12:15, instructor: Andersen, Claus
Prerequisites: SCAND ST 222
Language of Instruction: Danish
I dette semester skal vi nå til læsning af næsten-autentiske danske tekster. Vi skal starte med en avanceret tekstbog og dernæst læse modificerede, nutidige danske bøger, samtidig med at vi læser artikler fra aviser og blade.
- Udtale og læsning skal styrkes gennem oplæsning og samtale.
- Den kommunikative kompetence skal styrkes gennem præsentationer, samtaler og diskussioner.
- Den skriftlige kommunikation skal styrkes gennem essays og analyser.
- Grammatikken skal styrkes gennem øvelser og essays.
- Vi skal bruge teknologi til at få et mere autentisk billede af Danmark og dansk kultur
SCAND ST 276 – Scandinavian Life and Civilization
Section 001, TR 1:00 – 2:15, instructor: Ambelang,Todd
Prerequisites: Open to Freshman
Language of Instruction: English
Meets with SCAND ST 476
Scandinavian Life and Civilization is an introductory course on Scandinavian culture from the Viking times to the present. The class is divided into three sections: history, culture, and literature/film. For each section, a general lecture on the theme will be given over two class periods. In addition to this, guest lecturers come and deliver lectures on the theme, presenting on an area of research to help the students in developing a general understanding of contemporary society. In addition to the lectures, students will have an opportunity to discuss the lectures and weave them into more general themes and concepts on a biweekly basis.
Required Texts:
Texts will be handed out as needed.
Course Requirements and Assignments:
One eight- to ten-page paper; one five-minute presentation; three quizzes; five short papers; 10 very brief article discussions.
SCAND ST 373 – Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: From the Middle Ages to 1900
Section 001, TR 11:00 – 11:50, instructor: Mellor,Scott
Section 002, TR 11:00 – 11:50, instructor: Mellor,Scott
Section 301, T 12:05 – 12:55, instructor: TBD
Section 302, M 12:05 – 12:55, instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: 2 yrs of a Scand language or consent of instructor.
Language of Instruction: English
Meets with LITTRANS 271. Student wishing to take the course for Comm-B credit must enroll in section 301 or 302 for 4 credits and attend lecture and the corresponding discussion section. Otherwise, students should enroll in section 001 for 3 credits and attend only lecture meetings.
During the late Middle Ages, Scandinavian literature reached its first high point: the Old Norse, or Vikings, sagas and poems. These works supply the starting point for the course, which gives an overview of Scandinavian literature from the sagas to the prose and drama of the golden age of the late 19th century. All genres receive proper attention, and all texts analyzed are firmly located in their historical context, so that the student is able to trace the ways in which literature reflects the sociological changes from a feudal society to the modern industrial world. Among the authors discussed are Kingo, Holberg, Bellman, Blicher, Ibsen, Lie, Strindberg, Lagerlöf, and Hamsun.
SCAND ST 404 – Languages of Northern Europe: Modern Icelandic
Section 001, MTWRF 1:20-2:10, instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: Open to all students; no prior knowledge of Icelandic or other Nordic languages is required.
Language of Instruction: Icelandic
This course is an introduction to the Modern Icelandic language.
SCAND ST 410 – Intro to Scandinavian Linguistics
Section 001, TR 9:30 – 10:45, instructor: Wolf,Kirsten
Prerequisites: Grad Standing
The course is intended to give students an overview of the development of the Nordic languages (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, and Faroese) from Proto-Germanic to modern times, focusing on phonological and morphological changes. The course is a combination of lecture and seminar. Following a general introduction and a survey of the methods of study, the development from Indo-European to Proto-Germanic will be considered. Proto-Scandinavian, Common Scandinavian, and Old Scandinavian will be treated in detail. The course concludes with an examination of the five individual Nordic languages. Knowledge of a Nordic language is an advantage but not a requirement.
SCAND ST 411 – Areas in Scandinavian Lit: The Cultures of Scandinavia
Section 001, T 4:00 – 5:15, instructor: Mellor,Scott
Prerequisites: 5 semesters or equiv in a Scand language
This course will offer an introduction to the cultures and societies of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden by looking at the so-called Viking period through the Reformation. This semester we will be looking at Scandinavian culture from 750-1640 or the Viking period through the Thirty-Years’ War through texts, exploration and warfare. The course is open to all ILC residents. We will meet on non-dinner weeks and the course will be conducted in English. We will meet on dinner weeks with the Norden students and conduct those lectures in the Nordic languages. Please contact instructor if you are interested in Nordic language part of the course.
SCAND ST 411 – Areas in Scandinavian Lit: Migration, Exile, & Diaspora
Section 002, MW 4:00 – 5:15, instructor: Barkve,Marit Ann
Prerequisites: Open to all students
Language of Instruction: English
Meets only ten times during the semester: October 9-November 12
“Migration, Exile, and Diaspora in the Nordic Region” is a one-credit course (a “mini-seminar”) that meets two days a week for five weeks. The course will give you an introduction to the discourse surrounding migration, exile, and diaspora in the Nordic region through the study of narratives. These narratives come from a variety of genres: novel, theater, film, music lyrics, and poetry. Primary texts will be supplemented by lectures and suggested secondary readings. Through course lecture, discussion, and assignments you will become familiar with diverse Nordic authors and artists as well as critical literary theories that can be used to analyze texts.
SCAND ST 424 – Nineteenth-Century Scandinavian Fiction
Section 001, online course, instructor: Brantly,Susan
Prerequisites: Jr St & 2 yrs of a Scand lang
Language of Instruction: English
Online course; meets with LITTRANS 337
This course on the major movements in 19th Century Scandinavian Literature is being taught entirely online. Lecture content is streamed illustrated audio. Students will complete assigned readings, take quizzes and exams, and post to a discussion board. Students taking the class for a 4th credit will write a paper. An honors option is also available.
Weeks 1-5 look at Romanticism, and we will read texts by Andersen, Blicher, Bjornson, and Kierkegaard, among others.
Weeks 6-11 look at the Modern Breakthrough, and we will read texts by Ibsen, Strindberg, Garborg, Jacobsen, and others.
Weeks 10-15 look at the 1890s, including Hamsun, Lagerlöf and a second look at Ibsen and Strindberg.
Required Texts:
Some books will be available for purchase, and others through the web site.:
SCAND ST 427 – Contemporary Scandinavian Literature
Section 001, TR 1:00 – 2:15, instructor: Andersen, Claus
Prerequisites: Jr St & 2 yrs of a Scand lang
Meets with LITTRANS 340
Does literature still matter in the 21st century? Can contemporary authors tell us anything new about the world we live in? And are the problems and topics, described by Scandinavian writers, relevant to an American audience? These are some of the questions we will try to answer in this class. We will read a number of new Scandinavian authors and discuss a variety of topics from gender, racism and the welfare state to history and questions of fiction vs. reality. We will look at what is happening in the Scandinavian countries – Norway, Sweden, and Denmark – here in the second decade of the 21st century and look at literature’s role in shaping our current the world. You will also get to the chance to meet a Danish writer, who will come to class and whose first novel is about to be published by of the major publishers here in the US.
Required Texts:
Karl Ove Knausgaard: My Struggle. Vol 1. A Death in the Family
Helle Helle: “This Should Be Written in the Present Tense”
Athena Farrokhzad: White Blight
Dorthe Nors: Karate Chop (excerpts)
Josefine Klougart: One of Us Is Sleeping (excerpts)
Jonas Jonasson: The Hundred-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
Naja Marie Aidt: Baboon (excepts)
David Lagercrantz/Zlatan Ibrahimovic: I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic (excepts)
Stig Larsson: The Girl With the Dragoon Tattoo
Tomas Espedal: Bergeners (excerpts)
Mikkel Rosengaard: The Invention of Ana
SCAND ST 429 – Mythology of Scandinavia
Section 001, TR 2:30 – 3:45, instructor: Mellor,Scott
Prerequisites: Jr St & 2 yrs of a Scand lang
Language of Instruction: English
Scandinavian Mythology will introduce you to the belief systems of early and medieval Scandinavia in a European Context and take a look at the literary works written by Christian Scandinavians about their former Religion. We will look at the Kalevala, the mythological and heroic poetry of the Edda and the Icelandic legendary sagas, as well as a few early Christian texts.
SCAND ST 431 – History of Scand to 1815
Section 001, TR 11:00 – 12:15, instructor: Krouk,Dean N.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing
Language of Instruction: English
Meets with HISTORY 431
Myths and images of Vikings are everywhere, but what was really going on in Scandinavia during the Viking Age (793-1066)? And what happened in the Nordic countries between the Viking Age and the modern period? Come learn about Viking explorations, raids, religions, kingdoms, daily life, and more! Learn to critique how images of the Viking and medieval past have been used and abused over the centuries. Since this class surveys Scandinavian history all the way up to 1815, you will also learn about the fascinating changes in Northern Europe during the Reformation and Enlightenment. In addition to primary and secondary historical texts, this course uses literature and film to access and imagine the Scandinavian past.
Email address of instructor for any questions: krouk@wisc.edu
SCAND ST 440 – Scandinavian American Folklore
Section 001, TR 9:30 – 10:45, instructor: Cederström, Marcus
Prerequisites: Junior Standing
Language of Instruction: English
This course is focused on folklore in Nordic America, especially in the Upper Midwest. We’ll be looking at Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Sámi materials to help us understand what we mean when we talk about Nordic America. We’ll be asking (and hopefully answering) questions about the cultures and identities of the millions of immigrants who came to the United States from the Nordic countries and how they change or stay the same. And we’ll be examining what that means for the millions of Americans today who identify themselves as Nordic Americans.
This is a practical as well as theoretical course, so we will be conducting fieldwork with Nordic Americans in Wisconsin. We’ll also be exploring the culture of Nordic America so that you can gain a better understanding of the people and area in which you will be conducting your fieldwork. Along with your fieldwork, class projects will incorporate ways in which you can (and will) make your field research available to the public.
We’ll take a look at a variety of Nordic-American topics by reading academic articles, laughing at Ole and Lena jokes, listening to Norwegian-American singers, and even watching Swedish and Norwegian TV shows. The class covers a wide swath of Nordic-American culture and aims to give you a good idea of the many, often changing, facets of Nordic America while also exploring ways in which Nordic-America is presented and the role you, as a folklorist, can play in that documentation, preservation, and presentation.
Required Texts:
Course packet
Vikings in the Attic: In Search of Nordic America by Eric Dregni
Public Folklore edited by Robert Baron and Nick Spitzer
Course Requirements and Assignments:
Fieldwork and archival assignment
Public folklore assignment
Final paper/project
SCAND ST 475 – Writing of Hans Christian Andersen for Majors
Section 001, MWF 12:05 – 12:55, instructor: Schmidt,Nete
Prerequisites: 2nd year of a Scand lang
Meets with LITTRANS 275. Students enrolled in SCAND ST 475 are required to meet with the instructor outside of lecture.
Hans Christian Andersen lived in Denmark from 1805 – 1875. He is one of the best-known writers in the world, and his tales have been translated into numerous languages.
His writings span many genres and include much more than the “fairy” tales which made him famous. In this class, however, we will focus on the tales. They can be read by young and old alike, but it is quite certain that as an adult you will have a much stronger appreciation of the complexities and important messages in his tales. They are not mere “children’s tales” but contain, wit, humor, sharp observations, social criticism, and existential thoughts, among many others They are composed in a way that guarantees them well-deserved immortality.
We will read a variety of tales, discuss them, place them in a historical context, and also try to build a picture in our mind of Andersen, the writer. Maybe you will even be inspired to visit Denmark and his native city of Odense.
Scan 475, Scandinavian Majors and others. Scandinavian Majors, and other students interested in a more in-depth discussion of some of the works discussed in lecture, are encouraged to sign up for the4-credit 475 class. This class meets an additional hour once a week. The time and place will be determined by the students and instructor, so please meet with the instructor following the first lecture.
All the information is on the instructor’s website: neteschmidt.com
SCAND ST 476 – Scandinavian Life & Civilization II
Section 001, TR 1:00 – 2:15, instructor: Ambelang,Todd
Section 301, T 2:25 – 3:15, instructor:
Prerequisites: 2nd year of a Scand lang
Language of Instruction: English
Meets with SCAND ST 276
Scandinavian Life and Civilization is an introductory course on Scandinavian culture from the Viking times to the present. The class is divided into three sections: history, culture, and literature/film. For each section, a general lecture on the theme will be given over two class periods. In addition to this, guest lecturers come and deliver lectures on the theme, presenting on an area of research to help the students in developing a general understanding of contemporary society. In addition to the lectures, students will have an opportunity to discuss the lectures and weave them into more general themes and concepts on a biweekly basis.
Required Texts:
Texts will be handed out as needed.
Course Requirements and Assignments:
One eight- to ten-page paper; one five-minute presentation; three quizzes; five short papers; 10 very brief article discussions.
SCAND ST 520 – Special Topics: Folklore Goes to the Movies: Scandinavian & Celtic Folklore in Film
Section 002, R 4:00 – 6:30, instructor: DuBois,Thomas
PLEASE NOTE: For logistical reason, students cannot enroll in SCAND ST 520, but must enroll via FOLKLORE 530. Students seeking to receive credit for this course toward graduate and undergraduate degrees and certificates in Scandinavian Studies, should contact their advisor. (See our advising page here.)
Meets with FOLKLORE 530
“Folktales are what people had before Netflix.” Technology changes constantly, but the need for, and enjoyment of, good stories endures from age to age—in Scandinavia, the Celtic world, and wherever else those cultures are valued. In this seminar, we look at how traditional narratives and other elements of Nordic and Celtic folklore become transformed in modern media like film and television. What elements of such stories become adapted, and how? How does a change in medium affect stories and an audience’s experience of them? What new kinds of folklore develop out of mediated experiences of folklore, e.g. through fandom and spinoff activities? This seminar explores the intersections of traditional culture and mass media, and the ongoing fascination of audiences with the folktales, legends, and other traditions of Europe’s northern and northwestern peripheries.