Nordic Culture, 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

At least one year of full-time undergraduate studies.
Documented knowledge of English equivalent to Engelska B/Engelska 6.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student shall be able to
- define and discuss the concept ”Culture” in relation to the content of the course
- present and compare some cultural expressions and relate these to the concept of identity
- define and explain the concepts of material and immaterial cultural expressions
- motivate and argue how experiential learning and outdoor methods, could be applied in a field chosen by the student
- use aesthetic representations in a presentation
- 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.

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 carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department