Course Syllabus

Nordic Noir: Crime Fiction, TV Series, and Film

Semester & Location:	Spring 2026 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Literature, Media Studies
Prerequisite(s):	None
Faculty Member:	Janis Granger (to contact please use the Canvas Inbox)
Time & Place:	Monday & Thursday 2:50 - 4:10pm, Classroom V10-A32

Instructor: Janis Granger

Ph. D., Scandinavian Languages and Literatures, University of California – Berkeley, M.A., Scandinavian Studies, University of California – Los Angeles, B.A., History, University of California – Berkeley. Lecturer in Danish Language, Literature and Culture, University of Wisconsin - Madison. Written articles and reviews on Danish literature and Scandinavian Crime Fiction. With DIS since 1984 as faculty, Academic Counselor and Registrar; as of 2011 as full-time faculty. Visiting Faculty at DIS Stockholm for Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Summer 2018 and Summer 2019.  Contributes to books on modern Scandinavian literature and reviews for "Scandinavia Studies" and "Scandinavia."

Course Description

Why are TV series, movies and crime fiction from Scandinavia so appealing? Is it the Nordic landscape, the city panorama, the terse language of the novels and the stark realism of the TV series? Is it that the protagonists are anti-heroes, feminists, and outsiders? In the novels and on the screen, secrets are exposed and the postcard perfection of the Scandinavian Welfare States is revealed to have a dark side. We will study novels, films and TV series to encircle the phenomenon of Nordic Noir and discuss how these mirror Scandinavian society of today.

Course Format

The course will consist of close readings, viewings, discussion and analysis of Scandinavian crime fiction novels, TV Series and movies. Class meetings will be, for the most part, divided into two sections. The first part of each class will be of lecture format where keywords and concepts are introduced. During the second part, we will discuss and analyze the novel/TV series assigned/viewed for the day and chapters of the textbooks and articles assigned relating it/them to the themes of the course.

We will be reading four crime fiction novels representing Nordic Noir and the different Scandinavian countries. There will be introductions to the genre of crime fiction, Nordic Noir and to the Scandinavian societies, the concept of the Welfare State as well as themes of social identity and social realism, gender, and others. We will read novels from Sweden, "Roseanna" and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo;" from Iceland, “The Legacy;" and from Norway, “The Snowman.” Denmark will be represented by award winning Nordic Noir TV series. We will also be viewing movies either adapted from the novels or stand-alone films. There will be theoretical readings to enhance our understanding of the genre.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and distinguish themes, types, styles and influences in Nordic Noir
• Acquire a vocabulary for analysis of crime fiction and Nordic Noir in particular, including literary as well as cultural terms
• Develop critical skills: to think analytically, to voice criticism through argumentation
• Gain an understanding of Scandinavian society today as mirrored in crime fiction, movies and TV series

Expectations of the Student

I expect you to have done the reading for each class and to come with notes and questions for discussions. You should refer to the texts and readings, whenever possible, to support your queries and ideas. I expect students to be engaged as much as possible. You cannot be engaged if you have not read the novels/articles.

Approach to Teaching

I am enthusiastic about Nordic Noir and I bring this enthusiasm to class. Even though there will be some lecturing to give you background information, I hope that we can explore the realm of Scandinavian crime fiction together. I want to learn from you, too.  I hope you will bring your own ideas and concepts into the discussions and ask questions. I hope to create a good atmosphere where students feel comfortable about contributing and discussing openly, respecting each other’s point of view.

Practical Matters/Classroom Policies

Students are expected to be on time to class. If students miss multiple classes, it will affect their engagement grade. Allowances, of course, will be made in case of illness, but missing too many classes without cause may result in the student being referred to Academic Director and/or Director of Student Affairs.

Students with special accommodations should present their official letter outlining these at the start of the semester.

Laptops may be used for note-taking. Please wait until the break or time before and after class to check email, social media, check and send text messages. If checking social media or text messaging becomes a problem, laptops and cell phones will be banned from the classroom.

No eating allowed in the classroom or in the DIS Cinema. Students are, of course, allowed to bring water, coffee or tea. Bathroom visits should also be limited to before or after class or during the break. 

Evaluation

According to the official DIS Academic Regulations/DIS Academic Honor Code, please note:

"All course work must be completed and students must participate in all required activities to earn a passing grade."

"Submit your own work and never allow others (including Chat GPT or other AI) to write any part of your quizzes, papers or exams" 

Detailed information will be given about the assignments and the exams. For example, when asked for definition of terminology, concepts, etc. you should refer to how we use terms in class (i.e. don't google or use ChatGPT for definitions).

Assignment	Percent
Reflection Paper	15%
Engagement	15%
Midterm	20%
Short Analysis	20%
Final Exam	30%

Engagement is your responsibility. You should consider how often you join in class discussion, make comments or ask questions. How many absences do you have over the course of the semester? Do you complete all the assigned readings on time? If you expect an “A” for the engagement grade, you should be making comments and asking questions in almost every class. If you feel shy about speaking up in class, you are welcome to email me your thoughts or email me your answers to the prompts that are sent out for discussions before class. 

For the reflection paper and the short analysis, I will provide you with guidelines as to what I expect, what is required and what is rewarded (see below). As long as you write clearly with good organization, support your ideas ((and thesis for the short paper from the text(s) and/or reference material) you will do well. If you do not understand what is expected, please ask.

Description of Assignments 

Written assignments (reflection paper, short analysis and midterm and final exam essays) should have a title, be double-spaced, 12 font with approximately 350 words per page. Students may refer to “The MLA Handbook,” “Chicago Manual of Style” or a writing manual from their home universities. Just be consistent when using citations, footnoting, etc. 

Ungraded Knowledge Check

Early in the semester we will have an UNGRADED "knowledge check" where, in groups, we will cover the important terminology, definitions and descriptions of the genres, sub-genres, etc. The purpose of this exercise is that we're all on board with terms and definitions of crime fiction that we will be using throughout the semester.

Reflection Paper

In the reflection paper, students will be asked to find something that interests them from the course to write about, in their own words. It can be, for example, an issue from the novel we have read.  Or more generally, something about the genre of crime fiction, whether it be, for example the concept of the victim, the historical aspects of the genre, a certain term prevalent for the genre, etc. The paper should be 2 pages (approx. 350 words per page), double-spaced, 12 font.  Details will be given in class.

Take-Home Midterm

The objective of the midterm is to establish that you have read the articles and can apply them  what we have learned so far. More specifically to the novel "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" to the importance of Danish TV noir and the TV series viewed. 

The midterm open book with no time limit.  Write your own words! Use the terminology that we have used in class (i.e. do not google or use ChatGPT or other AI tools for your answers or essay).

The take-home midterm will contain short answer questions. Since it is open book, well written answers  will be expected. Please write a minimum of 7 sentences and maximum of 10 for each question. There is also one essay question. You have your pick of questions. Essays should be double-spaced, 12 font, one page or approx. 350 words. Be sure to give your essay a title. 

Short Analysis

Students will write a short analysis on a Nordic Noir TV series they have chosen earlier in the semester. The analysis should be 5 pages in length, 12 font and approximately 350 words per page with one-inch margins. Remember to give your analysis a title! Pick an issue or theme that interests you and pursue it. Please do not give plot summary but focus on a thesis/theme.  You do NOT have to use outside sources for this paper but you may refer to articles/readings we have covered in class.

Your analysis should include the following:

1. Introduction: presentation of the topic to be investigated and a brief overview of what you will be doing in your paper 
2. Analysis: comments, discussions, comparisons
3. Summary & conclusion

Take-Home Final Exam  

The Final Exam will cover the last two novels. You will be required to answer two essay-type questions. There will be a choice of questions from a section on "The Legacy," and one from a section on "The Snowman". Each of your essays should be approx. 700 words, double spaced, 12 font. 

Different Options: Ask the instructor if you would like to write an academic paper or a creative piece instead of the final exam.  Permission must be given if you want to do another option than the final. exam.

Field Studies

Wednesday, February 18, 9:30am-12 noon 

Viewing of the US movie version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."

Wednesday, April 8, 1pm-4pm 

We will be viewing a movie adaptation of Jo Nesbø's novel "Headhunters." The movie won awards for the best international film at BAFTA (British "academy awards").

Primary Texts

Textbook and Novels

Bergman, Kerstin, “Swedish Crime Fiction,” Mimesis International, 2014 on Canvas

Larsson, Stieg, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Maclehose Press, London, translated by Reg Keeland, 2008

Messent, Peter, “The Crime Fiction Handbook,” London: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013 on Canvas

Nesbø, Jo, “The Snowman,” London: Vintage, translated by Don Bartlett, 2010

Nestingen, Andrew and Paula Arvas (eds), “Scandinavian Crime Fiction,” University of Wales Press, 2011 on Canvas

Sigurdardottir, Yrsa, "The Legacy," Hodder & Stoughton, London, 2017, translated by Victoria Cribb

Sjöwall & Wahlöö, "Roseanna," London: HarperCollins Publishers, translated by Lois Roth, 4th edition, 2006

Various articles, reviews, etc. on Canvas

Reference Reading

These books are on reserve in the DIS Library.

Browder, Laura, “Dystopian Romance: True Crime and the Female Reader,” “The Journal of Popular Culture, 2009. 39.6. pp. 928-953

Cawetti, John G., “Adventure, Mystery and Romance,” Chicago: “University of Chicago Press, 1976

Chernaik, Swales, Martin, Vilain Robert (eds), “The Art of Detective Fiction,” London: St. Martin Press, 2000

Erickson-Johnsen, Rosemary, “Contemporary Feminist Historical Crime Fiction,” London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006

Forshaw, Barry, “Nordic Noir,” Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2013

Fulbrook, Mary, “Historical Theory,” London: Routledge, 2002, “Looking for Clues,” pp. 96-121

Herbert, Rosemary et al. “The Oxford Companion to Crime and Mystery writing,” Oxford University Press, 1999 (chapter on crime fiction in Continental Europe: Nordic Countries)

Knight, Stephen Thomas, “Crime Fiction 1800-2000: Detection, Death, Diversity,” New York: Palgrave Macmillian, 2004

Munt, Sally Rowena, Murder by the Book: Feminism and the Crime Novel, London: Routledge, 1994

Nestingen, Andrew, “Crime & Fantasy in Scandinavia,” Seattle, University of Washington Press, 2008

Nordisk Litteratur/Nordic Literature (2001) bilingual articles on development of crime fiction in the Nordic Countries

Plain, Gill, “Twentieth-century Crime Fiction,” Scotland: Edinburgh University Press, 2001

Rosenberg, Robin S., O’Neill Shannon (eds), “The Psychology of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Dallas:  BenBella Books, 2011

Ruggiero, Vincenzo, “Crime in Literature:  Sociology of Deviance and Fiction, “London and New York, Verson, 2003

Scaggs, John, “Crime Fiction,” London: Routledge, 2005

Swedish Book Review (special issue: Swedish Crime Writers):

http://www.swedishbookreview.com

Tytti, Soila (ed), “The Cinema of Scandinavia,” Wallflower magazine, 2005

Articles in English about specific Scandinavian Crime Fiction novels and the genre in general can been found in the journal “Scandinavian Studies” (published by Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies) which can be accessed online

Academic Regulations  

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 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Please note: There can be some changes to the following course summary due to different arrangements and unforeseen problems with availability of texts/DVD/movies used for this course. I will inform you of changes.