Entry requirements

At least 22.5 credits from Scandinavian Languages A

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• demonstrate a greater understanding of the linguistic state of the Nordic countries
• demonstrate a greater knowledge of the structure, variation and historical development of the Scandinavian languages

Competence and skills:

• read and interpret texts in the Scandinavian languages from various historical stages
• produce academic texts, both orally and in writing, in good Swedish

Judgement and approach:

• demonstrate great awareness of the linguistic situation in the Nordic countries
• demonstrate a greater awareness of linguistic variation in society, as well as an understanding of language policy issues
• assess and justify the selected theory, material and method of a delimited linguistic research project

Content

The course will provide the student with a greater knowledge of and a scientific approach to the structure, use and history of the Scandinavian languages. The course comprises four modules: A module on linguistic contrast and continuity in the Nordic countries, a module on the history of the Swedish language, a module in Old Icelandic, and a module about different perspectives and approaches within current linguistic research. Further, the student practices language skills in speech and writing.

Module 1. Linguistic Contrast and Continuity in the North 7.5 credits

Within the scope of this module, the student expands their knowledge of the Scandinavian languages ​​and the linguistic situation in Scandinavia. The student practices comparing and analyzing the languages ​​in a social, historical and cultural context. Emphasis lies on the emergence of the linguistic diversity that characterizes the Nordic countries of today, both nationally, socially and regionally, such as the relationship between dialects and the standard variety.

Learning outcomes for module 1. Linguistic Contrast and Continuity in the North, 7.5 credits

Upon completing the module, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate advanced knowledge of the linguistic state of the Nordic countries
• demonstrate a strong understanding of the ways in which the Scandinavian languages have developed through mutual contact with each other and other languages
• contrast the Nordic languages with each other using methods for linguistic analysis
• demonstrate advanced knowledge of the Nordic linguistic situation in oral presentations.

Module 2. The Emergence of the Swedish Language 7.5 credits

This module provides basic knowledge of the history of the Swedish language from the Viking Age  to the present, as well as an introduction to onomastics (the study of proper names).

Learning outcomes for module 2. The Emergence of the Swedish Language, 7.5 credits

Upon completing the module, the student should be able to:

• give an account of the history of the Swedish language from the Viking Age to approximately the 1700s with regard to the structure, vocabulary, genres and the relationship between speech and writing
• explain and problematize fundamental concepts in historical linguistics
• read and interpret texts from various time periods of Swedish history, and make linguistically relevant observations in the texts
• describe the main features of the development of Swedish place and personal naming customs and practices and apply a few fundamental onomastic concepts and terms

Module 3. Old Icelandic 7.5 credits

This course provides basic knowledge about the Old Icelandic language - including vis-à-vis the earlier history of the Scandinavian languages - as well as the saga and eddic poetry genres.

Learning outcomes for module 3. Old Icelandic, 7.5 credits

Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:

• describe the fundamental aspects of Old Icelandic's structure and the relationship between Old Icelandic and the earlier stages of the Scandinavian languages
• account for typical traits of the Icelandic sagas and Edda poems
• demonstrate that they can read and translate old Icelandic texts

Module 4. Linguistic Perspectives 7.5 credits

Within the scope of this module, the student expands their knowledge of perspectives and approaches within an area of ​​Swedish/Nordic linguistics, and their understanding of how these can be translated into linguistic research. Within the framework of the course, the student completes a small-scale research project and reports on it.

Learning outcomes for module 4. Linguistic Perspectives, 7.5 credits

Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:

• describe and reflect on current studies from some area of ​​interest within Swedish/Scandinavian linguistics, in particular its problem statements and research aims, as well as its theoretical and methodological approaches
• identify linguistically relevant research questions
• complete and present a small-scale linguistic research project in such a way that it meets scientific standards

Instruction

Lectures, lessons, seminars and group exercises. There are mandatory elements and written assignments.

Assessment

Students are assessed on the basis of seminars and oral and written assignments and tests. In all written and oral work, the student's ability to write correct texts that are appropriate to the situation and genre, is assessed.

Under special circumstances, an examiner may make exceptions to the indicated method of assessment and allow a student to be assessed by another method. A certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator, for example, may justify an alternative method of assessment.

Students who fail a regular examination will be offered a make-up examination within a reasonable period of time after the regular examination. Students who fail a certain examination twice may apply to the head of the department for permission to change examiners or in certain cases the form of examination.

To receive a grade of Pass with Distinction for the whole course, students must have achieved the grade of Pass with Distinction in components worth a total of at least 22,5 credits.

Other directives

Good proficiency in Swedish is required to pass the course. Contact the study counsellor if you are not certain about your level.