Course Syllabus

Nordic Noir

 

Semester & Location:	Spring 2018 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Literature, Media Studies
Faculty Members:	Janis Granger
Program Coordinator:	Sanne Rasmussen - sra@dis.dk
Time & Place:	Mondays & Thursdays 14:50-16:10 | N7-A21

Instructor: Janis Granger

Ph.D. in Scandinavian Literature and Languages, U.C. Berkeley, 1982. Taught Scandinavian languages and literature at U.C. Berkeley, UCLA, and University of Wisconsin-Madison and at DIS. Academic Counselor and faculty member at DIS since 1984. Full time faculty since 2011. Visiting Faculty DIS Stockholm Fall 2016 and Fall 2017.  Has contributed to books on modern Scandinavian literature and reviews books for “Scandinavian Studies” and “Scandinavia.”

Course Description

Why are the TV series, movies and crime fiction of Scandinavia so appealing? Is it the Nordic landscape, the city panorama, the terse language of the novels? 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, discussion and analysis of four Scandinavian crime 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 different Scandinavian/Nordic countries. There will be introductions to the genre of crime fiction, Nordic Noir and to the Scandinavian countries, the concept of the Welfare State as well as the themes of social identity and social realism, gender, nature, the environment, etc.  As a class, we will read “The Snowman,” “Jar City,” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Students will pick their own novel and write a short analysis. 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 can’t be engaged if you haven’t read the novels/articles.

Approach to Teaching

I am enthusiastic about crime fiction 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 would like to explore ideas – as I hope you will also bring your 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 Director of Teaching & Learning and/or Director of Student Affairs.

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

No eating allowed in the DIS Film Room. 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

In order to receive a passing grade, you must complete all the assignments.

Assignment	Percent
Engagement	20%
Midterm	20%
Short Analysis	25%
Final Paper or Final Exam	35%

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.

The midterm on Thursday, March 15 will cover the textbooks, articles, novels, TV series and movies we have discussed during the first half of the semester, the keywords we have learned and class lectures.

For the short analysis and final paper option, 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 from the text(s) and/or reference material you will do well. If you don’t understand what is expected, please ask.

Description of Assignments & Due Dates

Written assignments (short analysis and final paper) should have a title, be double-spaced, 12 font with approximately 300 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. Please bring a printed version of the written assignments to class on the due dates.

Midterm

In class, Thursday, March 15.

The midterm will cover the articles, books, TV series and films we have discussed during the first half of the semester, the keywords we have learned, and class lectures. The midterm will consist of multiple choice questions (of keywords, concepts, terminology relevant to crime fiction/Nordic Noir, short answer questions to be answered in bullet points and one essay question (you will be given several questions to choose from).

Short Analysis of your own crime fiction novel

Due Monday, April 9.

Students will write a short analysis on the crime fiction novel they have chosen early in the semester. The analysis should be 4 to 5 pages in length, 12 font and approximately 300 words per page with one inch margins. Remember to give your analysis a title! You pick an issue or theme that interests you and pursue it. Please do not give a plot summary!  You do NOT have to use outside sources for this paper.

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 (i.e. exploring a specific theme or using of specific theory for example the “10 Commandments” or exploring one of the keywords in relation to the novel(s).
2. Analysis: comments, discussions, comparisons
3. Summary & conclusion

Final Paper/Final Exam

Due Thursday, May 3.

For the paper, you may choose to do one of the following:

• An academic paper (7-8 pages) on a theme of your choice (for example, applying one of the keywords/concepts to novel(s) we have read; using one or two of the 10 Commandments of Scandinavian crime fiction – exploring the murderer as a victim; the impact of the Social Welfare State; portrayal of female detectives; gender-roles/feminism; use of crime fiction formula, etc.) Other suggestions for paper topics will be provided. Follow the outline above. Your paper MUST have a title! 300 words per page, one inch margins, 12 font. One outside source.
• A re-writing of your short analysis expanding on the original topic, taking into account comments given on the original paper. Must be 8-9 pages in length.

If you choose this option, you can extend your original paper by revising your thesis, broadening your comparisons and further qualifying your arguments by using one outside source.

For both options, follow the outline under the Short Analysis but be sure to list your sources in either a separate bibliography.

For the final exam, you will be required to answer two essay-type questions. There will be a choice of questions. Each of your essays should be at least 600 words, double spaced, 12 font. The final exam will be made available on Friday, April 26 and is due at our last class meeting.

Field Studies

• Wednesday, February 14, 13:30-15:30: We will meet in the DIS Film Room for a screening of Jo Nesbø’s movie “Headhunters.”
• Wednesday, April 4, 10:00-12:00: To be announced

Primary Texts

Textbook and Novels

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

Indridason, Arnaldur, “Jar City,” Vintage, London, translated by Brian Scudder, 2010

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

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

Articles posted 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
• Attendance
• Coursework, Exams, and Final Grade Reports

 

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.