Course Syllabus

Scandinavian Crime Fiction

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Semester & Location:

Fall 2018- DIS Stockholm

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Literature

Faculty Member:

Anna Cavallin

Program Director:

Andreas Brøgger - abr@dis.dk  

Academic Coordinator:

Mark Peters - mpe@disstockholm.se 

Time & Place:

Mondays & Thursdays 10.05-11.25, 1E-509

Instructor: Anna Cavallin

PhD. (Comparative Literature and French Literature, Stockholm University) on Sweden in the late 19th century: gender, consumption and power (Department of Literature, Stockholm University). Current instructor at the Department of Gender Studies, Stockholm University. Taught courses on Swedish Crime fiction and also Swedish culture, Swedish literature, and gender studies with a special Swedish focus at The Swedish Program, a Study Abroad Program located in Stockholm, for more than eight years. Fields of research include a special focus on literary analysis contextualizing gender perspective. With DIS since 2016.

E-mail: anna.cavallin@gender.su.se 

Office Hours: by appointment

Course Description

In Scandinavian crime fiction, the most fantastic murders take place, families fall apart, their dark secrets are exposed, and the validity of the Scandinavian countries’ welfare system is questioned – all of this described in a distinctly Scandinavian tone and style.

Is this why Scandinavian crime fiction is so popular? What is it with the terse language, the Nordic landscape, and the protagonists as anti-heroes, feminists or outsiders that make these crime novels so appealing?

Course Format

The course will consist of close readings, discussion and written analysis of five Scandinavian crime novels. We will view movies based on crime fiction novels as well as see examples of popular Scandinavian TV crime series.

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 assigned for the day (and when relevant chapters of the textbooks assigned) relating it/them to the themes of the course.

We will be reading a number of crime fiction novels representing at least three different Scandinavian/Nordic countries. There will be introductions to the genre of crime fiction, and also to aspects of sub-genres and/or genre-hybrids, to the Scandinavian countries and the concept of the Welfare State as well as the themes of Scandinavian crime fiction (social identity and social realism, gender, nature, the environment, etc.). As a class, we will read Maj Sjöwall's and Per Wahlöö's "The Abominable Man", Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Arnaldur Inðridason’s “Jar City”, Sissel-Jo Gazans ”The Dinosaur Feather”, and Karin Fossum's "Calling out for you". Additionally, students will be asked to choose another Scandinavian crime fiction novel of their own choice (from the DIS Library). There will be theoretical readings to enhance our understanding of the genre.

Learning Objectives

This course aims at increasing students’ abilities to think and work analytically. This includes developing the ability to read and analyze literary and non-literary texts, to voice criticism through coherent argumentation, to reason by analogy, to pose interesting questions and to communicate in written and oral form.

In this course, students will become more perceptive readers of crime fiction and criticism. Students will explore concepts such as national identity, the environment, gender, etc. in the context of modern Scandinavian crime fiction.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

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

Guest Lectures

Dr Kerstin Bergman: "Stieg Larsson and sub-genre"; "The Beginning of Scandinavian Noir"

Field Studies

August 29, 14:00-17:00: The Police Museum

October 17, 8:30-12:30: Millennium Tour

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 and I hope you will 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 in the classroom. Students are, of course, allowed to bring water, coffee or tea but eating of meals during class is not allowed. Students may consume lunch or a snack at the break. 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%

Short Analysis I

25%

Short Analysis II

25%

Final Paper

30%

Description of Assignments & Due Dates

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.

Quizzes in Canvas will cover the articles and books we have read during the first half of the semester, the keywords we have learned and class lectures.

For the written assignments, I will provide you with guidelines as to what I expect, what is required and what is rewarded (see below). You don’t have to be an English major to write well. As long as you write clearly, 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.

Written assignments should have a title, be double-spaced, 12 font with approximately 300 words per page. Students may refer to “The MLA Handbook” or a writing manual from their home universities. Just be consistent when using citations, footnoting, etc. Please e-mail me the final version of the written assignments before class on the due dates.

Short Analysis I: Due Monday, October 1

Students will write a short analysis on a topic or theme we have discussed. The analysis should be 3 to 4 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. You can also write on “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”– but be sure you have a thesis. 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

Short Analysis II: Your Own Crime Fiction Novel: Due Monday, November 19

Write a short analysis on the Scandinavian Crime Fiction novel of your choice (choice made in class). The analysis should be 3 to 4 pages in length, 12 font and approximately 300 words per page with one inch margins. See details above in instructions for Short Analysis I.

Final Paper: Due Monday, December 10

For this 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 Analysis I or II, 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 I but be sure to list your sources in either a separate bibliography or in footnotes.

Readings

Textbooks

"The Crime Fiction Handbook", Peter Messent

"Scandinavian Crime Fiction", eds. Andrew Nestingen & Paula Arvas

"Swedish Crime Fiction - the making of Nordic noir", Kerstin Bergman

Novels

Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö "The Abominable Man"

Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”

Arnaldur Inðridason’s “Jar City”

Sissel-Jo Gazans ”The Dinosaur Feather”

Karin Fossum's "Calling out for you"

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