English, Nordic Noir as Global Literary Phenomenon, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course treats the popular literary phenomenon Nordic Noir from an international perspective. The course literature comprises works in this genre written by authors both from and outside the Nordic countries. The focus is on the Nordic countries as a place and an idea created both in and outside the Nordic countries.  

The course consists of a short introductory module, followed by a specialization module:

Module 1: Cultural criticism and application in close reading, 2.0 credits
Module 2: Literature and literary criticism, 5.5 credits 

Expected learning outcomes

To be awarded a Pass grade, the student should be able to:
 
Knowledge and understanding

• give a broad description of Nordic Noir as a literary phenomenon
• account for how the Nordic countries are recreated as a literary place in crime fiction
• account for and discuss modern literary criticism and cultural theory

Competence and skills

• independently interpret and analyze literary source materials
• relate to relevant research to forward an academic argument
• present and discuss Nordic Noir as a literary phenomenon in an academic manner

Judgement and approach

• critically examine primary sources
• critically examine academic argumentation
• critically evaluate the reception of Nordic crime fiction.

Required Knowledge

Knowledge of English equivalent of English 6/English Course B from Swedish upper secondary school. At least 90 ECTS with academic progression in English, including at least 15 ECTS corresponding to level 61-90 hp in the Swedish academic system, or equivalent knowledge.

Form of instruction

The course is entirely net-based. Access to a computer is necessary to complete the assignments that are part of the course. The medium of instruction is English.

Examination modes

Module 1: Assessment of written contributions to discussions via the learning platform.
Module 2: Examination consists of written assignments and group discussions. The final assessment is based on the students' active participation in group discussions and their written assignments.

The examiner can decide on deviations from the modes of examination in the syllabus for a student who has been determined eligible for pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adjustments to the mode of examination will be made on the basis of the student's needs. The mode of examination will be adjusted in relation to the expected learning outcomes. Student in need of Individual adjustments to the mode of examination, should request this at the department no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner makes a decision based on the request, and the decision is communicated to the student.

In the examination of Module 1, grades awarded are Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)). Grades awarded in Module 2 are Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd (VG)), Pass (Godkänd (G)) or Fail (Underkänd (U)).  To be awarded a Pass with distinction on the entire course, a student must have achieved this grade on Module 2. All examination is conducted in English.
 
A student who has been awarded a Pass grade cannot be re-examined.
 
A student who has not received a Pass grade on an exam has the right to re-take the exam (a re-sit) on a course on which they have ever been registered. The first re-sit shall be offered no later than two months after the regular exam, but no earlier than ten working days after the result of that exam has been announced. For tests held in May or June, the first re-sit may be offered within three months of the regular exam. The date for the re-sit shall be announced no later than in conjunction with the regular exam. At least one more re-sit shall be offered within a year of the regular exam.  
 
In cases where an exam cannot be repeated according to the rules in effect regarding re-sits, it will be replaced with another task. The scope and content of such a task should be reasonably proportionate to the missed exam.

An examiner may decide that a student who has not quite met the examination requirements, but is close to a Pass grade, be given the opportunity to take a supplementary examination to achieve the Pass grade. Such an examination shall be individually tailored to the goal(s) that the student has not met, and shall be arranged within two weeks after the result of the examination has been announced, but before the next examination session. A supplementary examination can only raise a Fail grade to a Pass grade; award of a grade higher than Pass is not allowed. If the student so wishes, they have the right to take a re-sit instead of a supplementary examination, which gives them the opportunity to achieve a Pass with Distinction.

Other regulations

The final date for the submission/completion of assignments falls on the last day of the semester, unless otherwise stated by the teacher. All assignments need to be completed or submitted within the time frame set by the teacher in order to be considered for examination, otherwise they must be completed over again.

In the event of a decision that the course will no longer be offered, or if the syllabus has been revised, students are guaranteed at least three exams (including the regular one) based on the previous syllabus during a time of no more than two years after the previous syllabus ceased to apply or the decision was made that the course no longer be offered.