Scandinavian Literature - 20th and 21st Century Scandinavian Area Studies

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course provides an introduction to Scandinavian literature and literary history from 1900 to the present. The student is introduced to representative works as well as to important literary developments, particularly in the genres of poetry and the novel. Emphasis is placed on the interaction between intellectual, social and political developments. The course covers works by both classical Norwegian, Swedish and Danish authors (for example Sigrid Undset, Knut Hamsun and Karen Blixen) and contemporary writers (for example Dag Solstad, Helle Helle and Karl Ove Knausgaard). Authors from Finland or Iceland might also be included.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate will have a thorough knowledge of 20th and 21st century Scandinavian cultural and intellectual trends, of Scandinavian literary history, as well as an understanding of important authorships and representative literary works.

Skills

The candidate will be able to discuss central literary developments and be able to analyze and to write about central works in 20th and 21st century Scandinavian literature.

General competence

The candidate will have a broad knowledge of 20th and 21st century cultural and literary history and of important writers and individual works.

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
The course requires spoken and written proficiency in English.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
None
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
The course is open to exchange students and other students with upper secondary education from outside Norway with admission to the University of Bergen.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will be given either as double or triple lectures. Total: 24-26 hours.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
None.
Forms of Assessment
7-day home exam.
Grading Scale
A-F.
Assessment Semester
Spring
Reading List
The reading list will be availabke by 1 December for the Spring semester.
Course Evaluation
Courses are evaluated regularly in accordance with the University of BergenĀ“s quality assurance system.
Examination Support Material
Not relevant.
Programme Committee
Programstyret for nordisk
Course Coordinator
Programstyret for nordisk
Course Administrator
Department of linguistic, literary and aesthetic studies