Intensive Course in Swedish: Intermediate Course, 30 Credits

Contents

Module 1. Listening Comprehension (3 credits)  

Listening comprehension exercises based on, for example, radio programmes with topics of a general informative nature and with different dialectal and spoken language variants.  

Module 2. Written Presentation and Grammar (7.5 credits)  

Repetition and deepening of Swedish grammar with a focus on morphology, syntax and the verb and tense theory of Swedish. The module also includes exercises in written presentation focused on word choice, text binding, comprehensibility and correctness in one's own production.  

Module 3. Oral Presentation and Pronunciation (7.5 credits)  

Exercises in interaction and presentation as well as pronunciation instruction with a special focus on emphasis, prosody and the sound system of Swedish.  

Module 4. Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary (7.5 credits)  

Close reading, mainly of texts of a non-fiction nature, with a special focus on words and phrases as well as the presentation of non-fiction and various grammatical constructions. Overview reading of fictional texts in particular as well as newspaper articles with a focus on the content is also included.  

Module 5. Social and Cultural Studies (4.5 credits)  

Swedish society and culture. 

Expected learning outcomes

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

Knowledge and understanding 

• read and understand newspaper texts and popular science texts 

Competence and skills  

• account for the content of news broadcasts and radio programs, even when these contain dialectal or spoken language variants of standard Swedish 
• account for important social and cultural institutions and functions in Swedish society 
• produce text of an investigative nature where one's own opinions are presented in accordance with established writing rules and norms so that the content is clearly stated 
• orally summarize a text so that the structure and main ideas are clear 
• keep well-structured accounts based on compiled material 
• discuss topics of a general informative nature that deal with current social issues 
• reproduce and analyse a Swedish work of fiction and give a review of the work 
• apply grammatical rules in their written and oral production and use an appropriate and correct vocabulary in the context 
• use a pronunciation that does not hinder understanding. 

Required Knowledge

General entry requirements with the exception of requirements in Swedish and English. Univ: Swedish for International Students, Beginner's Course III, 15 ECTS, or equivalent from another university. Contact the Department of Language Studies (studievagledare.sprakstudier@umu.se) for an assessment of prior learning.

Form of instruction

Teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, lessons and group exercises on campus in Umeå. In addition, homework with self-study is required. The teaching is strongly skills-oriented.  

Some of the teaching will take place with internet-based teaching materials and learning activities. Access to a computer with headset, camera and internet connection is required. 

Examination modes

Module 1, Listening Comprehension, is examined through a written subtest and a written final test in listening comprehension. 

Module 2, Written Presentation and Grammar, is examined through a written final examination and written assignments. 

Module 3, Oral Presentation and Pronunciation, is examined through two compulsory oral assignments during the course, as well as an oral final exam consisting of an oral presentation followed by a group discussion.  

Module 4, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary, is examined through an oral presentation of a fiction book by a Swedish author during the course and a written final exam in text comprehension, grammar and vocabulary.  

Module 5, Social and Cultural Studies, is examined through an oral and a written final examination.  

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. 

Other forms of examination may occur if the conditions for the completion of the course change significantly.  

When examining written assignments, the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) are used. For examination of seminar participation and written examinations, the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG) are used. In order to be rewarded with grade Pass with distinction (VG) on the entire course, the student must have achieved this grade of at least 22.5 credits, which includes modules 2, 3 and 4. 

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

Examinations in on-campus courses are taken at Umeå University, Campus Umeå. Registration for all written examinations is mandatory. 

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.