SCAND 100 A: Introduction to Scandinavian Culture

Spring 2026
View in MyPlan View in Time Schedule
Meeting:
MTWTh 11:30am - 12:20pm
SLN:
19436
Section Type:
Lecture
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

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Syllabus

Scand 100 Introduction to Scandinavian Culture, Spring 2026

Instructor Dr. Lars Jenner, Dept. of Scandinavian Studies,

UW  Office:  Raitt 305U, Tel. 206-552-1973, Email:  larsj5@uw.edu

Class Meets:  MTWTh 11:30-12:20 in Smith 211; Office Hrs. by appt.

Course Description

This course introduces students to a varied selection of important literary works and explores cultural expression drawing from Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Latvia.  The writing spans 14th to 21st centuries, and thus covers medieval to modern eras.  The legendary past that is the focus of Hrolf Kraki reaches back as far as 400 AD in what is now Denmark, while Doom 94 was published in Latvia in 2013 and considers Latvian transcendence from the Soviet Union and the 1990's alternative grunge scene with bands such as Nirvana. In between are the great works of Hans Christian Andersen, Aleksis Kivi, August Strindberg and Henrik Ibsen. These are the stories of magic and sorcery, kings and queens, heroes and champions, talking animals, witches, trolls, and people on the fringe of society and those in the middle of it.  Though the texts we read are all from the literary canon, most all of them pull heavily from folk expression and traditional culture.

Required texts are available for purchase at University Bookstore.

Work Requirements

  • Attend and participate in class
  • Participate in canvas discussion forum (minimum 1 per week)
  • Complete assigned readings by the date indicated in the class schedule
  • Take reading quizzes
  • Take midterm and final examinations
  • Write three short papers (350-700 words each) responding to given prompts

Course Objectives

  • Describe basic history that situates the cultural subjects of this course
  • Recognize themes asserting value of high and low culture
  • Compare male and female roles in the works we study
  • Interpret folk motifs present in the texts
  • Identify literary devices employed
  • Contrast diverse motives of the various writers
  • Analyze textual forms that sometimes reflect oral tradition

Supporting Objectives/Skills

  • Relate readings and reader responses to class discussion
  • Justify assertions about characters, plot, thematic by providing analysis rooted in textual evidence
  • Explore new material through analytical writing
  • Apply instructor’s, guest lecturers’ and classmates’ ideas to building your discussion, especially on the discussion board
Catalog Description:
The Scandinavian experience from the Viking Age to the present day. Covers the background for contemporary Scandinavian democracy with major emphasis on the cultural, political, and religious development of the Scandinavian countries. Offered: S.
GE Requirements Met:
Social Sciences (SSc)
Arts and Humanities (A&H)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
February 20, 2026 - 9:05 pm