Course Syllabus
Swedish Language & Culture I-II |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2021 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 6 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Anthropology, Language |
| Prerequisite(s): |
None |
| Program Director |
Andreas Brøgger |
| Assistant Program Director: |
Anna Sommer - |
| Time & Place: |
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 11.40 - 13.00, 1D508 |
Description of Course
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 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 course will be your own observations and critical analysis.
Learning Objectives
- Acquire a higher level of cultural awareness
- Acquire knowledge and overall understanding of Swedish history, culture and society
- Be able to speak, read and understand Swedish on an intermediate level
- Get an understanding of the connection between language and culture
Faculty
Your instructors are Djina Wilk (djina.wilk@disstockholm.se) and Staffan Bengtsson (starunben@gmail.com).
Readings
Language part:
DIS Svenska
Rivstart textbok A1+ A2 and Rivstart övningsbok A1 + A2
Readings (cultural part):
Booth, Michael, Chapter 1 Sweden, The Almost Nearly Perfect People, Vintage, 2015, p. 293-299
Brodin, Björn and Pikkarainen, Heidi. Discrimination of the Sami – the rights of the Sami from a discrimination perspective, 2008 (online publication) Retrieved from:
https://www.do.se/contentassets/5ad9f5ea04bf4aedb943cf84e1562240/rapport-discrimination-sami.pdf
Carr Werner, Lisa and Robinowitz Christina Johansson, Chapter 7 Jantelagen: Who Do You Think You Are?, Modern-Day Vikings - a Practical Guide to Interacting with Swedes, Intercultural Press, 2001, p. 81-95
Carr Werner, Lisa and Robinowitz Christina Johansson (2001), The Rise of the Swedish Model, Modern-Day Vikings - a Practical Guide to Interacting with Swedes, p. 17-27
Castineira, Angel, Imagined Nations: Personal Identity, National Identity and the Places of Memory, p. 43-53.
Daun, Åke, Independence, Swedish Mentality, Pennsylvania State University Press, 1996, p. 56-69
Friedman Ekholm Kajsa, From nation state to multiculturalism: on change in Sweden at the turn of the Millenium, The Swedish Success Story, Preses Nams, 2004, p. 227-240.
Kramsch, Claire, Language and Cultural Identity, Language and Culture, Oxford University Press, 1998
Nordstrom, Byron J (2002), The History of Sweden, p. 83-84 + 102-103
Schöplin, Gerhard, The Functions of Myths and a Taxonomy of Myths, Myths and Nationhood, Routledge, 1997, p. 19-35
Swahn Jan Öjvin, Svenska traditioner (excerpts), Ordaförlaget, 2014
Other sources for the Culture part:
Reports från PISA and OECD
Reports from the EU about gender equality in Sweden:
Articles from the official information website Sweden.se
https://sweden.se/quick-facts/p1/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
|
sweden.se | The official site of Sweden Travelling to Sweden? Go to visitsweden.com to discover the wealth of tourist attractions that Sweden has to offer. |
+ Swedish music videos and Swedish movies
+ articles from BBC and New York Times
Use of Dictionaries
Note: When working with the book DIS SVENSKA, please make good use of the vocabulary list in the back of the book. The words listed in this vocabulary list in the back are words from the chapters in the book. The words and expression stand in alphabetical order in the list.
There are also four good online dictionaries that you can use for your language learning and while studying Swedish:
http://www.wordreference.com/ensv/ (Links to an external site.)
http://tyda.se (Links to an external site.)
http://lexin.nada.kth.se/lexin/ (Links to an external site.)
https://www.ordbogen.com/sv/ (Links to an external site.)
Swedish radio and Swedish TV
Swedish National Radio:
www.sr.se (Links to an external site.)
Swedish National Television:
Field Studies
- Wednesday September 1st, 9:30. A Guided Tour at The Toenhall. Focus: Nobeldinner.
- Wednesday October 20, 13:30 - 17:00: For our second field study we will get to know the indigenous people of Scandinavia, the Sami people. Sami is a part of Sweden and Swedish culture but has, as many other indigenous people around the world, been targets of racism and discrimination. During the field study we will get a guided tour of the Sami exhibition at Nordiska Museum and learn more about the Sami culture and Sami past and Sami today.
- Wednesday October 27th, 13:00 - 17:00: A visit to a Swedish school, Blackebergs gymnasium.
- Note: changed date: Sunday, December 5th, 14.30-17.00. Winter hike with a nature guide in Tyresta National park.
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.
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Get organized! Notice all due dates assignment, set aside time to prepare for tests, papers etc., especially at the end of the semester.
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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.
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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 |
| Engaged Participation |
25 % |
|
Midterms |
15 % |
|
Cultural Assignments |
40 % |
|
Final Exams |
20 % |
Engaged participation (25%)
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.
Midterms (15%)
You are expected to write a Midterm exam in Swedish language. The Written midterm will test your language skills in the chapters in DIS Svenska dealt with in the first part of the semester. Further detailed guideline will be provided in class.
Cultural assigments (40%)
You are expected to write one academic paper of 1500 words in regard to culture. The topics for this cultural essay is related to topics dealt with in regard to culture. During the semester you are also expected to give two 10-minute presentations about a cultural aspect of free choice. Further detailed guidelines will be provided in class.
Finals (20%)
You are expected to write a Final exam in Swedish language. This Final written exam will test your language skills gained from the whole semester but with emphasis on the last 2 chapters dealt with in class. Further detailed guideline will be provided in class.
As a part of the Finals, you are also expected to complete an oral Final 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. Further detailed guideline will be provided in class.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
Policy on papers
Students are expected to follow the formalia and the formal guidelines or the course papers.
Formal guidelines:
Minimum use of two class texts/sources to which there are clear references.
Minimum use of two relevant texts chosen by student.
1500 words (300 words pr. page = 5 pages)
Font and font size: Arial, 12
Line spacing: 1, 5
Name, Class Section number and teacher´s name in the left upper corner.
Please note that for late papers there will be a deduction of 5 points for every date the paper is late. If you need help or an extension please contact me before due date.
Policy on classroom etiquette
Laptops are not allowed in the classroom, notes on paper are just as effective and much less disruptive. Cellphones should be on mute and are not to be used in the classroom.
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|