Nordic Culture, 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

• 60 ECTS credits passed
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student shall be able to

1. define and discuss the concept ”Culture” in relation to the content of the course
2. present and compare some cultural expressions and relate these to the concept of identity
3. define and explain the concepts of material and immaterial cultural expressions
4. motivate and argue how experiential learning and outdoor methods, could be applied in a field chosen by the student
5. use aesthetic representations in a presentation
6. apply a scientific approach when writing course exams.

Course content

Throughout the course, Nordic Culture is scrutinized from several different perspectives: historical as well as current ones. The relationship between culture, cultural heritage and identity creation is analyzed. Craft, Literature and music from the Nordic countries is dealt with; however, the emphasis is on Swedish culture. Swedes’ and Nordic people’s relationship to nature is studied.

Students visit and examine urban and rural surrounding areas. Outdoor education and learning methods as well as aesthetic methods are presented and applied as a means of learning. The student’s own experiences from the course form the basis for reflection and processing of the course content.

The following subject areas are covered by the course:

Culture and cultural heritage; identity creation; Art, craft and design in the Nordic countries; literature and music from the Nordic countries – primarily from Sweden; some Nordic artists, musicians and film-makers; Immaterial culture such as popular belief and fairy tales; Traditions and festivals a cooking as way of getting to know a specific culture.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching mainly consists of lectures, seminars, group work and individual studies. Residential/live-in modules, where the students pay for board and lodging themselves, are parts of the course. The student's participation in these study visits are compulsory. Some presentations/examinations are carried out in the field.

Examination

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department