Nordic Culture - Area of emphasis: Educational Science, 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

At least 60 credits approved on undergraduate level. Documented proficiency in English corresponding to English B / English 6. Exemption from the Swedish B.

Intended learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, the student shall be able to
1. define and discuss the concept of ”Culture” in relation to the content of the course
2. present and compare some cultural expressions and relate these to identity
3. define and explain the concepts of material and immaterial cultural expressions
4. motivate and argue how outdoor and experiential learning, motivate and argue how outdoor and experiental learning can be applied in pedagogical practices
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: pedagogical, historical as well as current ones. The relationship between culture, cultural heritage and identity creation is analyzed. Children’s literature and young adult fiction from the Nordic countries is dealt with; however, the emphasis is on Swedish literature. 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 music in the Nordic countries; Swedish schools and school systems; children’s literature and young adult fiction from the Nordic countries – primarily from Sweden; some Nordic artists, musicians; Immaterial culture such as popular beliefs and fairy tales. Traditions and festivals as well as 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 module (where the students pay for board and lodging themselves) is part of the course, where the students get a chance to specialise in a specific area for an extended period of time. The students participate in study visits and some presentations/examinations are carried out in the field.

Examination

The grade for the course as a whole will be the average of the grades for FRP1, FRP2, WRP1 and WRP2.

Applies to all courses regardless of grading scale.

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

If the course has a three-graded grading scale (U - VG), following applies:

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

The following applies to courses that include a compulsory component:

• 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.

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 or in large parts, is taught in Swedish. Please note that although teaching language is Swedish, parts of the course could be given in English. Examination language is Swedish.
• 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).
• If teaching language is English, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.

Department