Scandinavian Studies
Undergraduate Programs
Description
The Scandinavian Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program that combines acquisition of a Scandinavian language with study of the diversity and richness of the greater Nordic cultural region of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. With a major or minor in Scandinavian Studies, students become familiar with the heritage of Scandinavia from the Vikings to the modern day and learn more about the role of the Nordic nations in communications technology, environmental awareness, social equality, and international peace initiatives in the contemporary world. A Scandinavian Studies minor can enhance a traditional major and serve to provide a global focus to students' education, whether in engineering or health sciences, international relations or international business, art or literature. It is recommended that students combine a Scandinavian Studies major or minor with studies in fields such as art, history, international business, international relations, World Languages & Cultures, political science, engineering or social work.
The Scandinavian Studies Program involves a variety of Minnesota State Mankato departments and programs. Minnesota State Mankato also has study abroad options in Norway, Sweden, and Finland for Scandinavian Studies majors and minors. Additional courses, particularly for majors, may also be completed in language, literature, history, and peace studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in nearby St. Peter, Minnesota. Minnesota State Mankato students carrying 12 semester credits may pay Minnesota State Mankato tuition to take a course at Gustavus Adolphus College that is not offered at Minnesota State Mankato.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scandinavian Studies BA | BA - Bachelor of Arts |
|
32 / 120 |
Minors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scandinavian Studies Minor |
|
20 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
GPA Policy. A grade of "C-" or better must be earned for major or minor credit.
P/N Grading Policy. Work done for a minor or major must be done for a letter grade.
SCAN 101, SCAN 102, SCAN 111, and SCAN 112 meet General Education requirements for Goal Area 8: Global Perspectives.
SCAN 250, SCAN 299, SCAN 450, SCAN 460 and SCAN 499 may be repeated with different topics.
Contact Information
AH 218E
https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/world-languages-and-cultures/Scandinavian-Studies-Program/Faculty
Coordinator
- Rennesa Jessup, Ph.D.
100 Level
Credits: 4
An introduction to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing coupled with culture.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-08
Credits: 4
An introduction to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing coupled with culture.Prerequisites: SCAN 101
Goal Areas: GE-08
Credits: 4
An introduction to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, coupled with cultural notes.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-08
Credits: 4
An introduction to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, coupled with cultural notes.Prerequisites: SCAN 111
Goal Areas: GE-08
Credits: 4
This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands); it will provide an overview of their geography, history, culture, society, and current political situation in comparison to the U.S.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08
Diverse Cultures: Purple
200 Level
Credits: 1-4
Special topics courses in Scandinavian Studies will deal with a variety of topics regarding the history, literature, art, and culture of the Nordic countries. SCAN 250 courses are planned with the interests and needs of beginning students in mind; they offer broad introductions to the most important artefacts and/discourses in the respective field. Writing assignments offer opportunities to learn to discuss adequately and critically central issues and theories. The course may be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
In this course, students will learn about the indigenous population of Scandinavia, the Sami. Students will investigate Sami traditions and cultural production along with the historical and contemporary sociopolitical standing of the Sami within the majority cultures of Scandinavia.Prerequisites: none
Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08
Diverse Cultures: Purple
Credits: 4
This course explores a wide range of cultural topics such as race, gender, human rights, social conflict, mythology, imaginary worlds, etc. Topics vary every semester and will be explored from a global perspective involving at least 4 cultures (e.g. Dakota, German, Francophone, Scandinavian, Hispanic, Lusophone, etc.). The course is taught in English through the lens of literary and cultural criticism with a focus on Scandinavian studies and exposes students to international and diverse points of view that prepare them to be global citizens.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
Development of reading and listening skills, oral and writing practice within a cultural context. To be arranged with instructor prior to registration. Prereq: SCAN 102 or equivalentPrerequisites: SCAN 102 or equivalent.
Credits: 4
Development of reading and listening skills, oral and writing practice within a cultural context. To be arranged with instructor prior to registration. Prereq: SCAN 102 or equivalentPrerequisites: SCAN 102 or equivalent
Credits: 1-4
Development of reading and listening skills, oral and writing practice within a cultural context. To be arranged with instructor prior to registration. Prereq: SCAN 112 or equivalentPrerequisites: SCAN 112 or equivalent
Credits: 1-4
Development of reading and listening skills, oral and writing practice within a cultural context. To be arranged with instructor prior to registration. Prereq: SCAN 112 or equivalentPrerequisites: SCAN 112 or equivalent
Credits: 1-4
.Prerequisites: none
300 Level
Credits: 4
This course is designed to provide an overview of the Viking Age and Norse mythology. Students will begin by learning about the sources that provide scholars with information about the Vikings, such as archeological finds, Icelandic sagas, place names, historical annals, and other written texts. Students will then explore the daily lives of the Vikings in their homelands, their religious beliefs, their expansion to other lands, and what led to the end of the Viking Age.Prerequisites: none
400 Level
Credits: 1-4
Special topics courses in Scandinavian Studies will deal with a variety of topics regarding the history, literature, art, and culture of the Nordic countries. SCAN 450 courses are planned with the interests and needs of more advanced students in mind; they build on and expand upon clearly defined methods and critical approaches which the students will explore both in class discussions and writing assignments. The course may be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
In this course, students will read about crime and deviance in Scandinavia and will develop an understanding of how a culture conceptualizes its ethico-political struggles through literature.Prerequisites: none
Diverse Cultures: Purple
Credits: 4
Revolving topics in Scandinavian Film. Students will explore issues of cultural and historical importance as presented through the medium of film. Written assignments and exams allow students to practice and display analytical and interpretive techniques. May be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Individual project demonstrating ability to synthesize experience in interdisciplinary major, drawing together different areas of study focusing on specific topic, problem or concern and demonstrating ability to use a Scandinavian language. Approval of Scandinavian Studies program director required. Prereq: Admission to college as Scandinavian Studies Major.Prerequisites: Admission to college as Scandinavian Studies Major.
Credits: 1
Individual project demonstrating ability to synthesize experience in interdisciplinary minor, drawing together different areas of study focusing on specific topic, problem or concern. Approval of the Scandinavian Studies program director required.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
Advanced study of works by selected Swedish or Norwegian authors. Prereq: SCAN 299-03 or 299-05Prerequisites: SCAN 299 or SCAN 299
