Scandinavian Studies

318 Raitt

Scandinavian studies is concerned with the study of languages, literature, history, politics, and cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Emphasis is placed both on contemporary literature and culture and on historical development. Although most courses designed for majors are taught in the original languages, a broad spectrum of courses designed primarily for nonmajors is offered in English.

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Scandinavian Studies offers the following programs of study:

• The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or Scandinavian area studies.
• Minors in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Baltic studies, and Scandinavian area studies.

Bachelor of Arts

Department Admission Requirements

Major Requirements

Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish: 65 credits, of which 35 are in upper-division courses. The 65 credits include 30 credits in first- and second-year language training, 15 credits in literature courses in the chosen language, one course in Scandinavian area studies, a course in the history of Scandinavian languages , a course in Scandinavian literature in translation, and a senior essay (SCAND 498).

Scandinavian Area Studies: 65 credits, of which 30 are in upper-division courses. The 65 credits include 30 credits in the chosen Scandinavian or Baltic language (normally first and second year), a minimum of one course from each of four area-studies fields (Scandinavian folklore and film; literature in translation; history and mythology; society and politics), and a senior essay (SCAND 498).

Minor

Baltic Studies: 35 credits as follows:

1. 15 credits of first year Estonian, Latvian, or Lithuanian
2. 20 credits of upper division Scandinavian coursework, including at least one Baltic studies course from the following: SCAND 344, SCAND 345, SCAND 454, SCAND 455
3. Students entering the UW with language proficiency in Estonian, Latvian, or Lithuanian beyond the first year of language training must take an additional 10 credits of upper division language courses and must earn a minimum total of 25 credits in relevant coursework

Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, or Swedish: 35 credits as follows:

1. 15 credits of first year Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, or Swedish
2. 15 credits of second year Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, or Swedish
3. 5 credits of upper division Scandinavian coursework or 5 credits of an upper division language course
4. Students entering the UW with language proficiency in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, or Swedish beyond the first year of language training must take an additional 10 credits of upper division language courses and must earn a minimum total of 25 credits in relevant coursework.

Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian: 35 credits as follows:

1. 15 credits of first year Estonian, Latvian, or Lithuanian
2. 15 credits of second year Estonian, Latvian, or Lithuanian
3. 5 credits of Baltic studies coursework (SCAND 344, SCAND 345, SCAND 454, or SCAND 455), or 5 credits of an upper division language course.
4. Students entering the UW with language proficiency in Estonian, Latvian, or Lithuanian beyond the first year of language training must take an additional 10 credits of upper division language courses and must earn a minimum total of 25 credits in relevant coursework.

Scandinavian Area Studies: 35 credits as follows:

1. 15 credits of first year Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, or Swedish
2. 20 credits of upper division Scandinavian coursework
3. Students entering the UW with language proficiency in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, or Swedish beyond the first year of language training must take an additional 10 credits of upper division language courses and must earn a minimum total of 25 credits in relevant coursework.

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Graduates of the Department of Scandinavian Studies have an advanced level of proficiency in a Scandinavian, Fenno-Ugric, or Baltic language. They can talk about a wide range of concrete topics in a sustained conversation and have the ability to interpret and write about literary texts, non-fiction, and other media. Graduates also have knowledge of major figures, ideas, and institutions in Baltic or Nordic culture, history, literature, and politics that enriches a global perspective. They have the ability to research and synthesize source material in the target language and can produce a scholarly essay in English on a topic within their area of concentration.

  Graduates of the Scandinavian studies program have the qualifications to embark on careers that require skills in the interpretation of information in various media, critical analysis, and effective communication and to continue in graduate programs and professional schools that value an international perspective.

• Instructional and Research Facilities: None

• Honors Options Available: With College Honors; With Distinction (Departmental Honors). See adviser for requirements.

• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Internships at museums or with Scandinavian businesses are possible. Exchange program opportunities with Aarhus, Copenhagen, Linköping, Stockholm, Uppsala, Bergen, Oslo, Åbo/Turkku, and Helsinki also exist.

• Department Scholarships: The department offers several scholarships for students of Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish.

• Student Organizations/Associations: the Danish Club, the Norwegian Club, the Swedish Club, and the Finnish Club.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
318 Raitt, Box 353420
206-543-0645
uwscand@u.washington.edu

The Department of Scandinavian Studies offers graduate programs of study leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. For the M.A. degree, the emphasis may be placed on Old Icelandic (Old Norse), Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, or Scandinavian area studies. Ph.D. degree aspirants must complete one quarter's study of Old Icelandic and concentrate their studies primarily within one of five areas: Danish language and literature, Finnish language and literature, Norwegian language and literature, Swedish language and literature, or Scandinavian area studies.

For the graduate student, programs in Scandinavian studies open several areas of inquiry: medieval, particularly Old Icelandic; modern, including the eighteenth century; Romanticism; the Modern Breakthrough; and the twentieth century. Attention is paid to the history of the Scandinavian languages, prose, drama, and poetry. Opportunities for supervised study and specialization also exist in such areas as Scandinavian history, politics, mythology, folklore, and Baltic studies, as well as in comparative-literature study.

Master of Arts

Two options are available, each allowing the student to emphasize a target language while pursuing courses in Scandinavian languages, literature, or area studies.

1. An emphasis on Scandinavian languages and literature includes acquisition of a working knowledge of literary history, critical theory and text analysis, plus study of one secondary area.
2. An emphasis on Scandinavian area studies includes the study of Scandinavian folklore, mythology, history, politics, society, and Baltic studies, with an emphasis in one of these areas.

Admission Requirement: Bachelor of Arts degree with major in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, or Scandinavian area studies, or equivalent background, including advanced language proficiency in one Nordic language.

Graduation Requirements: Minimum of 40 credits in courses or seminars in Scandinavian and related subjects approved by the department, of which at least 20 credits must be in courses numbered 500 and above; reading knowledge of French or German (another non-Scandinavian language may be substituted with faculty approval); written and oral examination; option between thesis and non-thesis program. Candidates in Scandinavian languages and literature must satisfy the departmental requirement in Old Icelandic.

Doctor of Philosophy

For the Ph.D. degree, the student concentrates primarily on one of two areas: Scandinavian languages and literature, or Scandinavian area studies, with an emphasis on the student's target language. Major attention is given to the history of the Scandinavian languages, literary history and theory, and genre study. Opportunities exist for graduate work in such areas as Scandinavian history, politics, mythology, folklore, and Baltic studies.

Admission Requirement: Master of Arts degree with major in Scandinavian languages and literature or equivalent background.

Graduation Requirements: 40 credits beyond the master's degree in courses or seminars in Scandinavian languages and literature and related subjects approved by the department, one quarter's study of Old Icelandic, a reading knowledge of French and German (other non-Scandinavian languages may be substituted with faculty approval), General Examination for admission to candidacy, 27 credits of SCAND 800 (dissertation) taken over at least three quarters, and a Final Examination on the dissertation.

Financial Aid

Teaching assistantships in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Scandinavian Area Studies are usually available, as well as occasional research assistantships. If funding allows, a Baltic-language teaching assistantship may be available.