Assignments

Created vodcasts (media group projects):
This was a service learning assignment. Each group created a 10-12 min. educational vodcast (video podcast) on a Scandinavian topic of its choice (going beyond topics presented in class). The topic deadline was March 15. The target group were North American school students ( K-12 range; groups could choose to delimit the age group further). A short presentation was delivered by each group on April 12-16 ( a 4 min overview of the project and a 1-2 min clip excerpt) and the vodcast were to be submitted on a CD, including an electronic one-pager with the name of the vodcast project, the names of all project participants and brief information on the distribution of work, a brief descriptor (max. 1 paragraph), age-group information (if applicable).

• God morgon Sverige: Midsummer celebration [video download in compressed mp4 format]
  Created by: Anna-Lisa Castle (research on history, script, write up), Amy Spallone (research on midsommarstången and decoration, filming), Nate Edelman (filming and host, chief editor), Ludwig Holmström (research on song and dance, filming), Kelly McGinty (research on food, filming).
  Description: We created an educational video on the Swedish tradition of Midsommar. The video is meant for an all-ages, English-speaking audience, modeled after a typical talk show. Our show, called 'God Morgon Sverige', features four speakers. The host discusses the rich history of the tradition. Three guest specialists focus on different aspects of the celebration including decorations, food, and song and dance. In addition to brief explanations by our specialists, we use songs, examples, and pictures to highlight the main themes of Midsommar. This film provides a short but thorough introduction to the Swedish Midsommar celebration for anyone who’s interested.
  
  
• Summer Homes in the Finnish Archipelago [video download in compressed mp4 format]
  Created by: Marc Dominianni (script/voice, presentation clip editing, filming), Catherine Harley (script/voice, filming), Chris Jewison (script/voice, filming, most editing), Erin Oates (script/voice, filming), Beth Spergel (script/voice, filming/camera)
  Description: Our vodcast is about summer homes in the Finnish archipelago. The vodcast was created from the perspective of a group of Cornell students looking for a place to go on spring break and is appropriate for any age group, but it is geared towards children and families. The vodcast delivers information in sections. The first section is an introduction to the Åland Islands and discusses the geography and ecology of the area. The second section discusses sustainability, nature, and year round use. The third section discusses description of the typical summer home and the types of food that they eat while they're there. The fourth section discusses recreation and outdoor activities. The final section discusses family use of summer homes and celebrations.
  
  
• Scandinavian Games and Toys [video download in compressed mp4 format]
  Created by: Dunia Gensler (filmed, researched), Charles Hatch (filmed, researched, edited), Tiffany Jacobson (filmed, researched), Paige Le Roy (filmed, researched), Kathleen Walkley (filmed, researched)
  Description: For our vodcast, we explored several toys and games that have Scandinavian roots. We explained the rules for and played kubb. We discussed the history of the Dalcarlia horses and LEGO®. We also mentioned other games we did not have a chance to get to, that one could look up on one's own. There is no information more appropriate for one age group than another.
  
  
• Supper with Sven [video download in compressed mp4 format]
  Created by: Katherina Balram (planning, filming, cooking), Hallie Bogdanffy (planning, filming, cooking), Calaandra Hustace-Candea (planning, filming, cooking), Arthur Schull (planning, filming, cooking), and Johanna Zussman-Dobbins (planning, filming, cooking)
  Description: This team of five* worked together to film an educational cooking show geared towards high school students. Arthur Shull is the star of the show, as Sven – the Scandinavian gastronome who, after a successful career with Aquavit, has come to the United States to teach American high school students more about Scandinavian dishes. He helps Katherina, Hallie, Calaandra, and Johanna - the American students eager to learn more about food and life in Scandinavia - prepare several traditional Scandinavian dishes to an ABBA soundtrack. Together, they prepare three dishes. The first is an appetizer Øllebrød – a type of beer bread pudding. As for the main course, they prepare Frikadeller – Danish meatballs. For dessert, the team whips up Risgrynsgröt for the grand finale. The segment even includes a surprise guest appearance by a favorite childhood Swedish celebrity
  
  
• Saint Lucia Day: Celebration of Light [video download in compressed mp4 format]
  Created by: Miles Ludek (symbolism of Lucia traditions), Erika Olson (the legend of Lucia), Christopher Martin (Lucia in other countries), Nischay Rege (Lucia traditions), Lawrence Kogan (the history of Lucia/video editing).
  Description: Our media presentation is on Lucia and Christmas traditions in Scandinavia. We present the legend of Saint Lucia, the history of the holiday in Scandinavia, the traditions that take place each year and their meaning, and how the holiday is observed outside of Scandinavia. This presentation is geared toward North American high school students.
  
  
• Scandinavian Folklore [video download in compressed mp4 format]
  Created by: Elsie Shogren (research, script, filming, editing), Drew Hart (research, script, filming, editing), Lindsay Broyhill (research, script, filming, editing), Daisy Johnson (research, script, filming, editing), Samuel Sveen (research, script, filming, editing)
  Description: Our topic of Scandinavian folklore encompasses many fairytales, legends, and mythical beings. Our first story is a fairytale from folklore about a girl’s encounter with a snake prince which is a representative of the region's style. We also discuss 'nisse', which are gnome-like creatures found throughout the Nordic region (in Sweden they are often called 'tomte', and in Finland 'tonttu'). They guard homes, farms, and areas of the natural environment, both helping the people who live there and keeping them from misbehaving. We also discuss 'jölasveinar', the thirteen santas found in Iceland which create mischief surrounding the holidays. Age group: K-1st grade.
  
  
• Sports in Scandinavia [video download in compressed mp4 format]
  Created by: Kevin Golovin (filming, research), Owen Kimple (filming, research), Jen Keefe (filming, research, editing), Alicia Hetrick (presenting, summarizing)
  Description: While the topic of Scandinavian sports is very broad, our group chose to focus on three specific areas. We opened with a discussion of track and field in Scandinavia, covering some of its history and notable Olympic athletes over the years. The second sport discussed was soccer (football), which is very popular across Scandinavia. We mentioned several famous Swedish players and also Sweden’s status in the World Cup. Lastly, we reviewed how Sweden did at the most recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. They made a pretty good showing, receiving many medals, which is not surprising as winter sports are quite popular throughout Scandinavia. We interspersed the facts with clips of the sports and events, set to an awesome soundtrack.
  
  
• Scandinavian Scandals: The Fabulous Life of Scandinavian Royalty [video download in compressed mp4 format]
  Created by: Matthew De Silva (editing, voiceovers), Hassan Shalla (editing, voiceovers), Chyanne Eyde (Swedish monarchy research), Elise Vitale (Denmark monarchy research) and Erik Green (monarchy overview)
  Description: Scandinavian monarchies have played an important role in the history of their respective countries, but modern monarchies have become figureheads. They still are highly visible and serve the state as hosts for foreign leaders and ceremonial functions. Our vodcast explains what a constitutional monarchy is and then moves to contemporary news on the monarchies or Sweden and Denmark, whose young royal families are worldwide celebrities. The vodcast was edited to mock VH1's the fabulous life of series, which actually did an episode on monarchies that had a segment on the Swedish Royal Family. The vodcast names some members of current and past royals, as well as some interesting "scandals" they might have been involved with (rumors included). We hope our K-12 audience enjoys Scandinavian Scandals!

Response papers (5-max. 8 pages, double-spaced, 12pt. font, 1 inch margins)

• Rubric for grading of response papers
  
• Response paper 1
• Response paper 2
• Response paper 3

Minipresentations (3-4 min prepared presentation to the class per person)

• Group 1 (Scandinavian welfare policy, W March 3): Jessica Y., Erin O., Hattie B., Elise V., Nate E.
• Group 2 (Right of public access, debate, W March 10): Drew H., Hassan S., Lindsay B., Charlie H., Owen K., Matt D.
• Group 3 (Scandinavian green/sustainable design or eco-business, W March 17): Tiffany J., Beth S., Larry K., Elise S., Erika O., Chyanne E., Erik G., Cathy H., Amy S.
• Group 4 (Contemporary Scandinavian writers, W April 21): Miles L., Ian K., Paige L., Alicia H., Margarete J.
• Group 5 (Scandinavian band/artist or film director, F April 30): Jennifer K., Kathleen W., Chris J., Kevin G., Calaandra H.-C., Katherina B., Nischay R., Ludwig H.
• Group 6 (Scandinavian architect or designer, M May 3): Chris M., Dunha G., Marc D., Anna-Lisa C., Kelly M.,