Course Syllabus
History of Sweden in Europe and the World
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Prerequisites |
None |
| Major Disciplines: |
History |
| Faculty Members: |
Olaf Winter (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Time & Place: |
Tuesdays 13:15 - 16:10, Room 1D-409 |
Course Description
The course focuses on Sweden's historical relationships to the Baltic Region, Europe and the US. We will look at the Great Power Era, the poverty and mass emigration of the 19th century, the internationally famous inter-war Middle Way; we will then consider Sweden’s role in World War Two and the Cold War, as well as the current impact of neoliberalism and globalization. Our focus, throughout, will be on Sweden's international profile and power, and the influence of this, in turn, on Sweden's national identity and future.
Learning Objectives
- Acquire an overview of the most important events and processes in early-modern and modern Swedish history
- Provide insight into European and global international relations
- Develop an understanding of Swedish economic and political developments
- Provide students with a sense of Swedish cultural development, including the creation of Swedish self-identity
Faculty
Olaf Winter
Phil. Mag. in Nordic Archaeology
PhD in Archaeology from the Australian National University, College of Asia and the Pacific.
Research focused on the very first colonisation of Remote Oceania (the Mariana Islands in particular) by tracing migration from Island Southeast Asia through pottery.
Olaf has been teaching history for many years in compulsory school and is currently writer and editor in history at the digital educational tool Binogi.
Readings
Course textbook: Neil Kent, A Concise History of Sweden.
The reading assignments for each class are announced in the respective calendar post (in most cases with a link or pdf). Normally you are supposed to read ca. 2 articles, often complemented by videos, per class. Please be aware that the reading assignments are mandatory, unless stated otherwise!
Field Studies
See Course Summary below.
Guest Lecturers
See Course Summary below.
Approach to Teaching & Expectations of the Students
History is a process of inquiry rather than a precisely delineated set of facts. How did a tiny and comparatively poor country, such as Sweden, regularly come out on top of economical, cultural and political developments in Europe? These questions are never fully answered, and I therefore encourage initiative and curiosity in students. In lectures, discussions and feed-back papers I try to support students in finding and answering their own questions and develop their analytical skills.
To get the most out of this learning experience I expect students to join me in delving into the history of Sweden: Come to class prepared! I cannot stress enough that the readings are essential. The lectures will not make much sense without them, nor will the discussions. Read in good time, think it through and come to class with an open mind. Be prepared to question what you think you know (also what I think I know) and speak up in class. It is perfectly okay if you are shy about speaking up in class, but I expect you to respond to direct questions. Stupid questions are strongly encouraged!
I will update the seminar descriptions continuously and add study questions that may help you with structuring your reading.
Evaluation
1. Input paper (together with attendance and engagement), each 100-300 words!
Part of your "attendance & engagement" record is a informal input paper that must be send in advance of all classes (if not indicated otherwise).
After you have done the assigned reading/watching (if there is any) I would like you to post some notes you made, questions that came up when reading/watching, your comments/reflections on a certain aspect, stuff that surprised you, or anything else that came up when thinking about the topic. This can be formulated as bullet points or running text.
These notes serve me as an indicator if you have done the required seminar preparation, but more importantly: the process of note-taking and question-formulating (as old-fashioned as it sounds) improves text comprehension! https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/taking-notes-while-reading/
2. One two/three-page paper
After the first weeks, you will be asked to hand in two/three pages in which you give your thoughts on, analyze and discuss the previous two/three weeks’ themes. These are relatively informal, but must show that you have read and thought about the literature and class discussion. Remember to give these short pieces a title!
3. Take-Home Midterm (about half through the course)
The midterm will cover the articles and books we have read and what we have learned through class lectures, discussions, and field trips, but even your experience of living in Sweden. I will announce the concrete assignment beginning of March.
4. Take-Home Final
Students will answer a question that essentially involves analyzing a topic or theme covered by the course. The students are asked to formulate a problem/topic/question on their own (which must be approved by me). I will provide a list of 2-3 topics if you feel unable to come up with something yourself. You should refer to the recommended reading, but also at least 2 outside sources.
Your analysis should include the following:
- Introduction: presentation of the topic to be investigated and a brief overview of what you will be doing in your paper. You might, e.g., explore a specific theme, over time (such as “Sweden and war”); you might, with the help of literature, look more deeply into a specific era (for instance, “Sweden’s era of emigration”); or examine and analyze a specific theory (e.g., “The Middle Way” “Swedish neutrality”, “Swedish identity”). Don’t forget to tell the reader what sources you are using!
- Analysis: comments, discussions, comparisons
- Conclusion
Be sure to list your sources in either a separate bibliography or in footnotes.
Written assignments should be double-spaced, 12 font with approximately 300 words per page. Students may refer to “Writing Papers at DIS,” “The MLA Handbook,” or a writing manual from their home universities. Just be consistent when using citations, footnoting, etc.
Late Papers
I mark down papers by 1/3 of a grade for every day past the due date in the case of 2-page papers, by 1/2 of a grade for every day past the due date in the case of midterm and final paper. This policy is to keep you from getting swamped with papers, not a punishment. I also acknowledge that life happens. If you encounter an unforeseen calamity that prevents you from handing in your assignment on time, let me know immediately and we will find a solution.
Grading
In order to receive a passing grade, you must complete all of the assignments.
|
Engagement in seminar discussion and field studies: (this includes an informal "input paper" for most classes, see below, it may also include the preparation of a presentation of a text or topic) |
25% |
| One 2/3-pages paper | 15% |
| Midterm (take-home) | 25% |
| Final (take-home) | 35% (7-8 pp) |
“Engagement” is your responsibility! Be well-prepared by thorough reading before each seminar. Be ready to summarize an argument, answer leading questions, and comment on what others have said. Come out from behind your computer, put your phone away! Above all, don’t miss classes! You will find them a very great help in completing class assignments.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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