B.A. in Scandinavian Area Studies

Students who earn a B.A. in Scandinavian Area Studies develop a new, enhanced understanding of the world through studying the culture, politics, and history of Scandinavia. The program provides diverse options for students to learn, including small, seminar-style classes; interdisciplinary study abroad opportunities; and exceptional programs to connect to Scandinavian and Baltic communities on or near campus. Students develop strong linguistic, research, and communication skills in a welcoming, inclusive academic environment. Prepared with knowledge from world leaders in welfare, business, and gender equity, graduates pursue careers in business and nonprofit work, law, academia, and STEM industries across the globe.

As part of the degree, students gain intermediate linguistic proficiency in a Scandinavian or Baltic language such as Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Estonian, Latvian, or Lithuanian. Because most language 101 courses are available only in the fall, students should sign up for one of these classes as early as possible. If you have previous experience studying one of these languages, schedule a placement test by emailing uwscand@uw.edu.

Admissions, Advising & Student Resources

Please see our Undergraduate Programs section for information about applying to the program, career paths, scholarships, and other student resources.

Each of our majors has an option to pursue departmental honors. Students who are interested should meet with the undergraduate adviser to learn more about the requirements.

Major Requirements

60 credits of which 25 are on the 300 level or above (As of Autumn, 2022).

  1. First- and second-year courses in target language (Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Swedish) (30 credits)
  2. Upper-division SCAND courses from list of approved courses. (30 credits)

    SCAND 312 Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature
    SCAND 315 Scandinavian Crime Fiction
    SCAND 316 Child and School in Scandinavia
    SCAND 327 Women in Scandinavian Society
    SCAND 330 Scandinavian Mythology
    SCAND 331 Folk Narrative
    SCAND 334 Immigrant and Ethnic Folklore
    SCAND 335 Scandinavian Children's Literature
    SCAND 340 Kalevala and the Epic Tradition
    SCAND 341 Sami Culture and History
    SCAND 344 The Baltic States and Scandinavia
    SCAND 345 Baltic Cultures
    SCAND 360 Scandinavian Cinema
    SCAND 361 Danish Cinema
    SCAND 365 Finnish Popular Culture
    SCAND 367 Sexuality in Scandinavia: Myth and Reality
    SCAND 370 The Vikings
    SCAND 380 History of Scandinavia to 1720
    SCAND 381 History of Scandinavia Since 1720
    SCAND 399 Foreign Study in Scandinavia
    SCAND 402 International Political Economy and Scandinavia
    SCAND 427 Scandinavian Women Writers in English Translation
    SCAND 430 Readings in Folklore
    SCAND 431 The Northern European Ballad
    SCAND 445 War and Occupation in Northern Europe: History, Fiction, and Memoir
    SCAND 450 Scandinavian Literary History
    SCAND 454 Baltic History
    SCAND 455 Baltic Politics and Society Today
    SCAND 460 History of the Scandinavian Languages
    SCAND 465 Translation Workshop in Nordic and Baltic Languages
    SCAND 470 Scandinavian Auteurs
    SCAND 480 Kierkegaard and Decadence in European Literature
    SCAND 481 August Strindberg and European Cultural History
    SCAND 482 Knut Hamsun and Early European Modernism
    SCAND 490 Special Topics
    SCAND 495 Foreign Study: Research Project
    SCAND 499 Independent Study or Research

  3. SCAND 498 Senior Capstone Project (5 credits) 

Credits earned during studies in Scandinavia can be transferred in consultation with the Foreign Study Office and the Scandinavian Department.

Other courses may be substituted per discussion with the Undergraduate Adviser.

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