Admissions to the Scandinavian Studies Certificate have been suspended as of fall 2023 and will be discontinued as of fall 2027. If you have any questions, please contact the department.
The Scandinavian Studies program provides the opportunity to learn the literature, folklore, politics and culture of the Nordic countries in the original languages and in English translation. Partly in cooperation with other departments, we offer courses in Scandinavian language, history, culture, social institutions, geography, arts, archaeology, myths and folklore.
Scholars with knowledge of Scandinavian languages and cultures are equipped for careers in the countries that are the world leaders in gender equity, societal welfare, and 21st century business practices, as well as a range of careers including education, law, international trade, translation, civil service, non-profits, the arts, linguistics, literature, environmental sciences, conservation, diplomacy, and more.
Admissions to the Scandinavian Studies Certificate have been suspended as of fall 2023 and will be discontinued as of fall 2027. If you have any questions, please contact the department.
Students declared in the Scandinavian Studies major are not eligible to declare the Certificate in Scandinavian Studies.
Certificate Requirements
The Scandinavian studies certificate requires 18 credits of SCAND ST. 9 credits must be taken at the 300 level or higher. Select at least one course from each of the following areas:
Languages
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Danish: | ||
| SCAND ST 121 | First Semester Danish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 122 | Second Semester Danish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 221 | Second Year Danish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 222 | Second Year Danish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 271 | Readings in Danish Literature | 3-4 |
| Finnish: | ||
| SCAND ST 131 | First Semester Finnish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 132 | Second Semester Finnish | 4 |
| Norwegian: | ||
| SCAND ST 101 | First Semester Norwegian | 4 |
| SCAND ST 102 | Second Semester Norwegian | 4 |
| SCAND ST 201 | Second Year Norwegian | 4 |
| SCAND ST 202 | Second Year Norwegian | 4 |
| SCAND ST 251 | Readings in Norwegian Literature | 3-4 |
| Sami: | ||
| SCAND ST 404 | Languages of Northern Europe | 2-4 |
| Swedish: | ||
| SCAND ST 111 | First Semester Swedish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 112 | Second Semester Swedish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 211 | Second Year Swedish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 212 | Second Year Swedish | 4 |
| SCAND ST 261 | Readings in Swedish Literature | 3-4 |
Language, Culture, and History Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SCAND ST 250 | Introduction to Scandinavia | 3 |
| SCAND ST 296 | The Scandinavian Heritage in America | 3 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE/MEDIEVAL/RELIG ST 342 | Nordic Mythology | 3 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE/LITTRANS/MEDIEVAL 345 | The Nordic Storyteller | 3 |
| SCAND ST 348 | The Second World War in Nordic Culture | 3 |
| SCAND ST 373 | Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: From the Middle Ages to 1900 | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 374 | Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: the Twentieth Century | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 401 | Contemporary Scandinavian Languages | 3 |
| SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 407 | Introductory Old Norse | 3 |
| SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 408 | Intermediate Old Norse | 3 |
| SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 409 | Survey of Old Norse-Icelandic Literature | 3 |
| SCAND ST 410 | Introduction to Scandinavian Linguistics | 3 |
| SCAND ST 415 | History of the Scandinavian Languages II: Standard Languages | 3 |
| SCAND ST 419 | Scandinavian Children's Literature | 4 |
| SCAND ST 421 | Advanced Topics in Nordic Studies | 1-3 |
| SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 430 | The Vikings | 4 |
| SCAND ST/HISTORY 431 | History of Scandinavia to 1815 | 3 |
| SCAND ST/HISTORY 432 | History of Scandinavia Since 1815 | 3 |
| SCAND ST/LITTRANS 435 | The Sagas of Icelanders in English Translation | 3 |
| SCAND ST/GEN&WS/LITTRANS 438 | Sexual Politics in Scandinavia | 3 |
| SCAND ST 439 | Nordic Filmmakers | 3 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE 440 | Scandinavian American Folklore | 3 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE 443 | Sami Culture, Yesterday and Today | 4 |
| SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 444 | Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore | 4 |
| SCAND ST/FOLKLORE/MEDIEVAL 446 | Celtic-Scandinavian Cultural Interrelations | 3 |
| SCAND ST 476 | Scandinavian Life and Civilization II | 4 |
| SCAND ST 496 | The Scandinavian Heritage in America | 3 |
| SCAND ST 510 | Topics in Scandinavian Linguistics | 3 |
| SCAND ST 511 | Paleography and Philology - Old Norse | 3 |
| SCAND ST/HISTORY 577 | Contemporary Scandinavia: Politics and History | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 630 | Fundamentals of Bibliography and Research | 3 |
Literature
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SCAND ST 373 | Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: From the Middle Ages to 1900 | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 374 | Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: the Twentieth Century | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 419 | Scandinavian Children's Literature | 4 |
| SCAND ST 411 | Areas in Scandinavian Literature | 1 |
| SCAND ST/MEDIEVAL 409 | Survey of Old Norse-Icelandic Literature | 3 |
| SCAND ST 422 | The Drama of Henrik Ibsen | 4 |
| SCAND ST 423 | The Drama of August Strindberg | 4 |
| SCAND ST 424 | Nineteenth-Century Scandinavian Fiction | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 426 | Kierkegaard and Scandinavian Literature | 3 |
| SCAND ST 427 | Contemporary Scandinavian Literature | 4 |
| SCAND ST/LITTRANS 428 | Memory and Literature from Proust to Knausgard | 3 |
| SCAND ST 434 | The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen | 4 |
| SCAND ST 436 | Topics in Scandinavian Literature | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 450 | Scandinavian Decadence in its European Context | 3-4 |
| SCAND ST 475 | The Writings of Hans Christian Andersen for Scandinavian Majors | 4 |
| SCAND ST 520 | Special Topics | 3 |
| SCAND ST 634 | Survey of Scandinavian Literature: 1500-1800 | 3 |
| SCAND ST 635 | Survey of Scandinavian Literature: 1800-1890 | 3 |
Residence and Quality of Work
- At least a 2.000 GPA is required among all courses eligible for the certificate.
- At least 9 credits must be taken in residence. A UW–Madison-sponsored study abroad program applies as in-residence credit.
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
- Demonstrate understanding in a global context in a field of study covering literature, history, area studies, folklore, or philology classes.
- Select and utilize the most appropriate methods of study and inquiry within the content of the classes taken.
- Evaluate and respond to information pertaining to the classes taken, showing clear analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Communicate clearly in appropriate ways in the classes taken.
- Recognize and apply principles of ethical and professional conduct.
ADVISING AND CAREERS
For advising and placement, please contact our undergraduate advisor:
Joanna Schuth, Undergraduate Advisor
jschuth@wisc.edu
836 Van Hise Hall
Make an appointment through Starfish
Students who transfer to UW after a year abroad should contact the undergraduate advisor as early as possible to schedule a placement test.
Note: SCAND ST 302 Intensive Finnish II satisfies the 3rd semester of the Finnish language sequence for the purpose of meeting the College of Letters & Science foreign language requirement.
Majors should see the advisor during the semester before their last semester. Prospective majors are urged to consult the undergraduate advisor about their program at the first possible opportunity.
For additional career advising, please contact:
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science
711 State Street, Suite 300
Madison, WI 53703
608-262-3921
SuccessWorks@ls.wisc.edu
L&S career resources
Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.
In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.
Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- Enroll in a Career Course - a great idea for first- and second-year students:
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Comm B General Education Requirement)
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- INTER-LS 260 Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Activate your Handshake account to apply for jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers recruiting UW-Madison students
- Learn about the impact SuccessWorks has on students' lives