Course Syllabus

Swedish Language & Culture I-II

 

 

Semester & Location	Fall 2025 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits	Elective Course - 6 credits
Major Disciplines	Anthropology, Language
Faculty	Andrea Simonelli (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)
Time & Place:	Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays: 10.05 - 11.25 Classroom: C502

Course Description

This course is an integrated language and culture course. We will study different aspects of Swedish culture and we will operate with a complex view on culture through various representations. The focus will be on dominant national narratives, values, and symbolism, which we will approach from both a historical and contemporary perspective.

When studying Swedish language, we will employ a functional and immersive approach. The course will focus on spoken everyday Swedish, reading comprehension and grammar.

The course will explore how culture is reflected in language. By analyzing keywords and concepts and applying appropriate etiquette, you will learn how to navigate a foreign culture.

An important component of the culture part of the course will be your own observations and critical analysis.

Learning Objectives

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of Swedish culture and society 
• Ability to speak, read, and understand Swedish on a lower 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 Andrea Simonelli (ansi@disstockholm.se)

Readings

Language part:

Rivstart A1 + A2 (Natur & Kultur)

Culture material: Texts and podcasts (minor adjustments may occur over the duration of the course)

Beery, Thomas (2013) Nordic in nature: friluftsliv and
environmental connectedness, Environmental Education Research, 19:1, 94-117

Bergam, Kerstin (2015)  The success of Nordic Noir literature | Lund UniversityLinks to an external site.  Lund Univ.ersitet. Published 30 June 2015.  (Accessed: 28 December 2024)

Berggren, Henrik and Trädgårdh, Lars (2012) Social Trust and Radical Individualism. The Nordic Way. Swedish Institute. pp.13-22. The Nordic Way by Swedish Institute - Issuu

Booth, Michael (2014) The almost nearly perfect people - behind the myth of the Scandinavian utopia. Penguin Random House, pp. 293-311, 322-329, 364-370.

Burnett Robert (2001). Global strategies and local markets: Explaining Swedish music export success. Global Repertoires. Routledge. London. 2001 

Börestam, Ulla (2005). Interscandinavian Language contacts. The Nordisc languages: An International handbook of the history of the North Germanic languages. Uppsala. 2005

Derrier, Benoit. and Savage, Maddy. (2021). The Scandinavian way to tackle winter (bbc.com)Links to an external site.  BBC Reel. (Accessed: 28 December 2024)

Galli, Erik. (2018).  The Honest Queer Guide to Stockholm's LGBTQ Scene (out.com)Links to an external site. Out Magazine. Published 20 March 2018. (Accessed: 28 August 2024)

Grandval, Jan. (latest updade 2024). The Swedish music miracle | sweden.seLinks to an external site., sweden.se. (Accessed: 25 March 2024).

Hilson, Mary. (2020). The Nordic Model. Introduction to Nordic Cultures. UCL Press, pp.70-84

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.

Kuhn, Gabriel. (2020) Liberating Sápmi: Indigenous Resistance in Europe's Far North. PM Press. pp. v-xix, 2-41, 162-168.

Larsson, Stieg (2008) The girl with the dragon tattoo. MacLehose Press, London. 2008, pp.13-16.

Milewski, John. (ed.) (2018). Sweden: The World’s 'First Feminist Government' | Wilson CenterLinks to an external site. Video interview produced and published by Woodrow Wilson Center. (Accessed: 28 December 2024)

Porzucki, Nina (2018) The three-letter word that rocked a nation - The World from PRX. Public Radio International. Originally aired 27 March 2018.  (Accessed: 28 December 2024)

Rothstein. Bo, Steinmo Sven. (2018) “Us Too!” – The Rise Of Middle-Class Populism In Sweden And Beyond. Dagens Nyheter, Stockholm. Published 03 October 2018

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

 BBC. Online publication. (Accessed: 28 December 2024)

Shevah, Emma. (2015, September 9). Pippi Longstocking: a feminist, an optimist and a free thinker | Children's books | The GuardianLinks to an external site.. The Guardina, Online publication.

Stougaard-Nielsen, Jakob (2019) Nordic crime fiction (nordics.info)Links to an external site.. Aarhus University. Published 05 March. 2019.  (Accessed: 28 December 2024)

Sweden.se (2024) Gender equality | sweden.seLinks to an external site.. (Accessed: 16 July 2024).

Sweden.se (2024) Gay rights in Sweden | sweden.seLinks to an external site.. (Accessed: 9 July 2024).

Van den Bossch, Sara (2025, March 6). 80-year-old Pippi was innovative, but did not advance women’s emancipation much | Tilburg UniversityLinks to an external site..Tilburg University, only publication. Latest update:  15 March 2025. 

Other cultural materials:

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

Selected Swedish movies.

Field Studies 

The class has four mandatory field studies (on Wednesdays). 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. The cultural excursions connects more to visual or audio impressions of  specific aspects of Sweden and Swedish society.

The four mandatory Field studies are:

• Field Study 1, 27th of August, 13-17: Hike in Nackareservatet
• Field Study 2, 17th of September, 8.30 - 12.30: visit and worskhopp at Snösätra - Hall of Fame
• Field Study 3, 22nd of October, 8.30 - 12.30: visit to the Museum of Modern Art. Guided tour of the Sámi artist Britta Marakatt-Labba's exposition.
• Field Study 4, 29th of October, 13 -17: Stockholms Stadsmuseum, tour with guide: "Stockholm by the turn of the century - a city of contrasts". 

 

Not mandatory cultural Field Study:

• Lucia consert: Torsdag 11e December, kl.18

Guest Lecturers

• Tuesday 14/10: Gender Equality and Feminism in Sweden. Stefan Rundfelt, Political Advisor to the Vice Mayor for Housing and Real Estate in the City of Stockholm.
• Thursday 13/11: Queer families with Nelly Wahlfort, literary scholar and carpenter.

Approach to Teaching & Expectations of the Students

The teaching style of this class is interactive. You are expected to actively participate in class discussion, to have done the readings and other homework, and come to class with notes, questions and relevant observations.

Learning a language is hard word and requires a lot of commitment. The ambition is to create a classroom culture in which everyone feels at ease trying to pronounce the unfamiliar Swedish sounds and words.

Engaged participation is an integrated part of the class and will be a large part of the course evaluation. Participating in class discussion requires a high level of preparation and a voluntary contribution of knowledge and ideas. In addition, when speaking Swedish or discussing the connection between language and culture it is important to meet the level of preparation required to be an active participant.

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 Danes.

• Get organized! Notice all due dates assignment, set aside time to prepare for tests, papers etc., especially at the end of the semester.

• Prepare for class! Studying a language is like taking care of a new and vulnerable plant, it needs constant attention, water and sunshine in order to grow.

• Participate! Practice your language in a “safe” environment and get relevant feedback, this is essential in improving. Sharing your thoughts and ideas in class is one of the best tools for developing your analytical skills.

Grading

Assignment	Percent	Deadline
Engaged Participation	30 %	Throughout the course
Midterm	10 %
Cultural Assignments	35 %	Suburban project  Cultural assignment 2 Cultural essay
Final Exams	25 %	Written exam: Oral exam:

 

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. Further detailed guideline will be provided in class.

 

Midterm 

You are expected to write a Midterm exam in Swedish language. The Written midterm will test your language skills in the chapters in Rivstart dealt with in the first part of the semester. Further detailed guidelines will be provided in class.

 

Cultural assignments

You are expected to present on a suburb in Stockholm (in English). You are also expected to hold a presentation about a Swedish artist. Lastly, you are expected to write one academic paper in regard to Swedish culture and Swedish society (in English). The topics for this cultural essay is related to topics dealt with in regard to cultural part of the course Further detailed guidelines will be provided in class and will also be on Canvas.

 

Finals 

You are expected to write a Final exam in Swedish language. This Final written exam (10 %) will test your written language skills gained from the whole semester but with emphasis on the last couple of chapters dealt with in class. Further detailed guidelines will be provided in class.

As a part of the Finals, you are also expected to complete an oral Final exam in Swedish language (15 %). This Final oral exam will test your oral language skills gained from the whole semester but with emphasis on the last couple of chapters dealt with in class. Further detailed guidelines will be provided in class.

 

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