From Vikings to Welfare: An Introduction to the Archaeology and History of Sweden and the Nordic Countries, 30 Credits

Contents

With this course students gain insight into the archeology, history, history of religions and intellectual history of Sweden and the Nordic countries. The course contains four modules: ancient Scandinavia, history of the Nordic countries, history of Nordic religions (Viking age religion, Sami religion and Christianity) and the Sami, and the intellectual history of Sweden. 

Module 1. Ancient Scandinavia (7.5 credits)
The first module introduces the pre-historic times in Scandinavia, that begins in the end of the last Ice Age and ends in the Viking Period. We study the variation and change in material culture, monument types and environments. We also study the interpretations of ancient ways of life lifeways, societies, and Scandinavian ancient beliefs. 

Module 2. Nordic History (7.5 credits)
The second module deals with the history of the Nordic countries from the Early Middle Ages until present day in a comparative perspective. We study, among other things, the rise of the Danish and Swedish protestant states, the consequences of the Napoleonic period, the coming of nationalism and new identities in the nineteenth century, the development of the Welfare State, the Nordic Countries and the Second World War, the situation during the Cold War and finally Minorities in the Nordic Countries. 

Module 3. Sami and Old Norse Religion/Nordic religions (7,5 credits)
This module provides a comparative perspective on Nordic religions, from the Viking Age to the present. Focus is on Old Norse religion around year 1000 and Sami religion in the 17th and 18th centuries. But comparisons are made with ancient religions on the British Isles, continental Germanic and Finnish religions, and the introduction and history of Christianity in Sweden is outlined as well. Topics that are given attention are: sources and source criticism; myth and rite; the cultural and societal context for the different religious traditions; and the indigenous Nordic religions' encounters with Christianity. Further, the different views, interpretations and uses of these religious traditions in the history of research and in popular culture are problematized. 

Module 4. Twentieth Century Swedish Intellectual History (7,5 credits)
This module covers Swedish intellectual history, from the early twentieth century and onwards, with a special focus on the role of science and technology in the shaping of Swedish nationhood, political culture, and public image. Students will gain insight into the role of expert knowledge in Swedish political culture, and the tension between democratic and technocratic tendencies in large scale public health projects, as well as in controversies over the regulation of and policies for energy, biomedicine, and the environment. Students are also introduced to the literature on national image making, epitomized in the Nobel prize, and will engage in theoretically informed discussions on the mutual shaping of science, technology, and society.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing Module 1 the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• account for the fundamental source materials and research methods regarding the lifeways and habitats of ancient Nordic humans
• account for the key interpretations and perspectives regarding the diversity and the characteristics of the lifeways and habitats of ancient Nordic humans
• account for the main roles that the ancient human past has played in the cultural heritage and the popular perceptions of the Nordic countries

Skills and abilities

• demonstrate an ability to properly communicate and reflect upon relevant academic information in writing and speech 

Evaluation and attitude

• recognize the complexity of long-term intermingled processes of ancient environmental, technological, societal and cultural change in the Nordic area
• recognize the importance of ethical and source-critical approaches in research, communication and present-day use of ancient human pasts

After completing Module 2 the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• the student must have an overall knowledge of the milestones in the history of the Nordic countries
• the student shall be able to discuss important social, political, and cultural changes in the Nordic countries 

Skills and abilities

• the student shall be able to discuss living conditions among people from a class, ethnic and gender perspective
• the student shall be able to discuss different views among the historians (historiographic perspective) on problems in the history of the Nordic countries

Evaluation and attitude

• discuss and evaluate moral and ethical problems connected to the history of the Nordic countries
• reflect on the importance of historical knowledge for the understanding of the Nordic countries

After completing Module 3 the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• account for the most central source material regarding Old Norse and Sami religion
• account for the most characteristic traits of Old Norse and Sami mythology and ritual
• account for the complicated processes of religious change in Scandinavia from the Iron age and onwards

Competence and skills

• apply source critical methods and perspectives in comparative religion in the study of the indigenous religions of Scandinavia
• be able to identify the importance of gender and age, as well as social and ethnic belonging in religious practices and in religious change in Scandinavia

Judgement and approach

• reflect on the relevance of knowledge about Old Norse and Sami religion today

After completing Module 4 the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrate a general understanding of the co-production of science and technology and Swedish society from the early twentieth century until today,
• Demonstrate deepened knowledge about specific cases and episodes in the Swedish public history of science and technology

Skills and abilities

• Analyze and problematize changes in the Swedish science-society relationship throughout the twentieth century, 
• Communicate academic knowledge clearly, both orally and in writing

Evaluation and attitude:

• Reflect on the overall role of science and technology for national self-understanding, political culture, and public image

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The course is held in English. Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, group exercises, and individual work. When attendance at lectures or exercises is compulsory, that is, of the examining nature, it is specifically stated in the schedule. In case of absence on a compulsory occasion, supplementary information is provided by the teacher.

Examination modes

The course is examined continuously through assignments, participation in mandatory seminars, and individual exams. Group assignments and seminars are graded with graded with Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd). Individual essays and exams are graded with Pass with distinction (Välgodkänd), Pass (Godkänd) and Fail (Underkänd). To pass an individual 7,5 hp module (min. grade G) all mandatory parts are required, and the individual essay(s) must have received the grade G. To receive Pass with distinction (VG) for a module, all mandatory parts are required (grade G), and the individual essay(s) must have received the grade VG. The final grade for the 30 hp course is based on the grades of the individual modules. Grades are set by the Faculty of Humanities' appointed examiner.
 
Each module with a final examination has five examination opportunities. Students who have not received a passing grade after the first examination have the right to a second examination opportunity within two months. The third and fourth opportunities will be when the course is held again, and the fifth opportunity will be the next time the course is offered. Registered students have the right to be examined up to two years after their first registration date.

Other regulations

In a degree, this course may not be included together with another course with similar content. In case of uncertainty, the student should consult Director of Studies at the Department of The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies.