In this course, which is taught entirely in English, students develop an insider perspective on the Scandinavian region of Northern Europe. Departing from core socio-cultural themes such as sexuality, migration, creative expression and art, environment, as well as science/technology and entrepreneurship etc., we will dig deeply, cross-temporally, and analytically into myths and realities shaping the historical legacy and current character of Scandinavia. Participants are expected to engage in interactive critical discussions on a variety of specific socio-cultural topics. For instance, we will contrast the discoveries, mythology and diasporas of the Viking Age with 21st-century pop-culture appropriation of the Viking image. As another example, we will examine Scandinavia’s progressive stance to sexuality, body, and gender within the ongoing flux of the Nordic welfare state model. As a third illustration, we will explore controversies and contrast intra-Scandinavian approaches to multicultural diversity. A part of the course will be dedicated to detailed case studies, for example how IKEA and NOKIA became international superbrands; the conflictive juxtaposition of Nobel’s invention of the dynamite and his Nobel Prize; Scandinavian perspectives on banking crises; and how Sweden intends to end its dependency on oil by 2020 while Iceland is harnessing its volcanic power. All materials for course discussion are in English, available online, and include for example visual and aural media, artistic and cinematic representations, Web 2.0 resources, written case studies, literary and academic texts as well press news items. The course fulfills the Cultural Analysis (CA) requirement in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Final exam date, time and room information is now available.
