Course Syllabus

Swedish Language and Culture: Intermediate

 

Semester & Location:	Fall 2024 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Anthropology, Language, Aesthetics
Prerequisite(s):	Must speak a Scandinavian language
Faculty Members:	Staffan Bengtsson (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)
Time & Place:	Mondays and Thursdays, 1.15-2.35 pm in 1E-508

 

Course Description

This course is an integrated language and culture course which serves as the ideal entry point for your studies abroad in Sweden. Offering an intermediate level to the Swedish language while also exploring important themes in Swedish culture and society, this course will help you navigate and understand your new environment. It will strengthen your sense of place and sense of belonging while studying abroad.

In terms of language learning, the emphasis is on spoken everyday Swedish, reading comprehension, and basic grammar which allows you to interact in basic ways with your local surroundings. The functional approach is evident both in classroom interactions, hands-on exercises, and experiential learning through field studies around Stockholm and environs.

An important component of the course is your own observations of Swedish society as you are studying abroad. In this integrated language and culture course we explore how culture is reflected in language through expressions, concepts, and keywords. By openly and critically studying values, symbols, and dominant and marginalized narratives in Swedish culture and history we will begin to understand how these continue to shape identities today. With Sweden as your case study, you will develop your ability to understand and study other cultures from an intercultural perspective.

 

Learning Objectives  

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of Swedish culture and society
• Ability to speak, read, and understand Swedish on an intermediate level
• Gain an understanding of connections between language and culture
• Enhance intercultural awareness and critical reflection
• Develop a sense of belonging

Faculty

Your instructor is Staffan Bengtsson.

Background: PhD. in Aesthetics, Department of philosophy, Uppsala University. Affiliated with the Department of literature, Uppsala university. Research focus: Swedish, German and French literature, Critical Thinking, Enlightenment and Romanticism. With DIS since 2020.

 

Readings

Language part:

Rivstart A1 + A2: Textbook and Exercise book (Natur och Kultur 2014). In house publication.

Culture part:

Akinmande Åkerström, Lola (2017). Lagom - the Swedish Secret of Living Well. Headline Home. [selected pages]

Alter, Charlotte, Suyin Haynes, and Justin Worland (2019) “Greta Thunberg: Time´s Person of the Year 2019”. Online Publication.

Anderson, Benedict (2016) Imagined Communities - Reflections on the Origin and the Spread of Nationalism. Verso, pp. 5-7

 Brodin, Björn and Pikkarainen, Heidi (2008) Discrimination of the Sami – the rights of the Sami from a discrimination perspective. Online publication, pp. 18-26

Castineira, Angel (2011) Imagined Nations: Personal Identity, National Identity and the Places of Memory. Kingston (Canada): Queen's University. pp. 43-53.

Derrier, Benoit and Savage, Maddy (2021). How To Tackle The Swedish Winter. BBC Reel.

Derrier, Benoit and Savage, Maddy (2021). Why Sweden is Proud to have the World´s Highest Taxes. BBC Reel.

Edwards, Catherine (2018) What’s Behind the Rising Inequality in Sweden’s Schools, and Can It Be Fixed? ”The Local, Published 22 Aug. 2018. 

Gatehouse, Gabriel (2018) Sweden: Truth, lies and manipulated narratives? BBC Newsnight. Originally aired on 22 august 2018.

Gelter, H. (2000). Friluftsliv: The Scandinavian philosophy of outdoor life. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education (CJEE), 5(1), 77-92.

Johansson Robinowitz Christina and Carr, Lisa Werner (2001). Modern-Day Vikings - A Practical Guide to Interacting with the Swedes. Intercultural Press, pp. 17-28 + 81-95

Kramsch, Claire (1998) Language and Cultural Identity. Language and Culture. Oxford University Press. pp. 65-77.

Milewski, John (ed.) (2018). Sweden: The World´s “First Feminist Governent”. Video interview produced and published by Woodrow Wilson Center.

Porzucki, Nina (2018) The Three-letter Word That Rocked a Nation. Public Radio International. Originally aired 27 March 2018. 

Savage, M. (2019, October 9). Jantelagen: Why Swedes won’t talk about wealth. BBC. Online publication.

Swahn Jan Öjvin( 2014) Swedish Traditions. Ordaförlaget. [selected chapters]

Other cultural material:

Selected programs from Swedish public service, both TV and radio.

Selected Swedish movies such as Sameblod.

 

Field Studies

The class has two mandatory field studies (on Wednesdays), as well as optional cultural excursions (during weekends). The purpose of the field studies and the cultural excursions is to use Stockholm’s cultural resources and Stockholm city as our extended DIS classroom. Material covered during the field studies will be included in assignments and classrooms discussions. 

- Field study 1: TBA

- Field study 2: TBA

- Optional cultural excursions: TBA

 

Guest Lecturers

TBD

Approach to Teaching

The culture part of course will include interactive lectures, classroom discussions, mandatory field studies and optional culture excursions. There is a focus on processing observations and sharing information.  The language part will include different classroom exercises with the purpose of learning and reviewing vocabulary and activating the language. 

Expectations of the Students

Active participation - one of the key components of your grade and one of the most pleasurable aspects of an engaging course - requires preparation. I expect you to have completed the assigned reading(s)/listening(s)/media viewing(s) before each class and to come with notes, thoughts, and questions. Readings, announcements, details, updates, the course schedule, and communications with one another are on Canvas. Download the Canvas app to your phones and turn on notifications so you stay up-to-date. You are responsible for checking Canvas daily.

Please do the following:

1. Submit assignments on time.
2. Complete all assigned readings/media viewings and language homework prior to the designated class.
3. 23 classroom sessions will go by fast and times flies! Be punctual and attend all classes (also including field studies), be well prepared and ready to contribute. Missing classes without a legitimate excuse or showing up to class not prepared will result in a lower participation grade. Each unexcused absence will automatically result in a grade deduction of 5 points, 
4. Bring a notebook and pen/cil to class for taking notes. Only use laptops when instructed for specific activities. Please switch off your mobile phone during class and resist the urge to text. Please speak with me if you need your device for note-taking. 

 

Evaluation

How to get a good grade:

• Get involved. Use your Swedish, meaning the language as well as your historical and cultural knowledge outside the classroom - the more the better. The more you know the more you see and experience.

• Use the knowledge and insight obtained in class through readings, lectures and discussions to enrich your study abroad experience and to start fun, thought-provoking and interesting discussions with Swedes and other people that you meet during the semester.

• Get organized. Notice all due dates assignment, set aside time to prepare for tests, papers etc., throughout the whole semester. 

• Prepare well for class. Studying a language is like taking any kind of training. In order to develop, you need to practice as much as possible and study on a regular basis. Also, take many notes while doing the readings.

• Participate. Practice your language in a “safe” environment and get relevant feedback, this is essential in improving. So, try to use as much Swedish as possible during the language part of the course. Also, sharing your thoughts and ideas in class is one of the best tools for developing your analytical skills.

 

Grading

Assignment	Percent
Engaged Participation	40%
Cultural Assignment (1+2)	35%
Final Oral	25%
Total	100%

 

Engaged participation

You are expected to be well-prepared for class and to be very engaged in the classrooms discussions and exercises, both in regard to language and culture. Also, you are expected to actively participate actively on all four field studies during the semester. Detailed guidelines/grading rubrics can be found under "Assignments".

 

Cultural assignments

You are expected to  give one shorter presentation on a given topic and also write one academic papers of around 200 words in regard to culture. The topics for this cultural essay is related to topics dealt with in regard to culture. Further detailed guidelines will be provided in class and here in Canvas. Detailed guidelines/grading rubrics can be found under "Assignments".

 

Online Worksheets

Online Worksheets are part of the final grading and can be accessed in the "Course Modules: Swedish Language Resources". 
We encourage you to complete the worksheets throughout the semester as they correspond to the chapters in the book. The final deadline to complete the worksheets is the same as the oral exam deadline - see Canvas calendar for details.

 

Oral Exam

You are expected to take a final oral exam in Swedish language. This final oral exam will test your language skills gained from the whole semester but with emphasis on the last 2 chapters dealt with in class. Detailed guidelines/grading rubrics can be found under "Assignments".

 

Late Papers / Assignments

All late submissions will be reduced by half a letter grade for each day late unless you have communicated with me before the deadline and have received permission to submit your work late. 

Electronic Technologies

Laptops/tablets/iPads/phones are not permitted to be open and in-use during class unless we are working on specified tasks. Mobile phones must be silenced during class. If you need your device for note-taking, let's talk. 

 

Academic Regulations  

DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and correctly credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of F and may result in dismissal. Your home institutions will be notified. DIS reserves the right to require that written student assignments be submitted electronically for scanning by plagiarism detection software. Please speak with me if you have any questions.

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code