The Languages and Cultures of Northern Europe certificate offers an opportunity to study the many diverse linguistic, cultural, and religious communities that have become part of Northern Europe as a result of international migration and pan-European economic integration. Students earning the certificate have maximum flexibility of choice in the culture they wish to study in depth, or if they want to take a comparative approach over the region. The certificate maps intellectually a complex and fascinating region of contemporary Europe — one which is marked not only by longstanding national cultures but also by an increasingly diverse and mobile populace.

If students wish, students may include language study in Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, or Yiddish as part of their course choices.

How to Get in

Students should contact the undergraduate advisor by email or make an appointment to declare the certificate.

Requirements

The certificate requires a minimum of five courses and 18 credits. The courses must be distributed as follows:

¹

Courses in the Colonialism, Diversity, Indigeneity, and Migration list may each only count once for the certificate.

Residence and Quality of Work 

• At least 9 certificate credits must be completed in residence
• Minimum 2.000 GPA on all certificate courses.   
• Courses taken pass/fail may not apply to the certificate. 

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.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognize and understand language, literary, and/or cultural phenomena as they pertain to Northern Europe and put them into context.
2. Recognize shifting geographic, cultural, ethnic/racial, and/or language factors in the Northern European region over time.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of major approaches, concepts and current research findings concerning the Northern European region.
4. Synthesize information, engage in discussion and research, and argue persuasively about key topics in the Northern European region.
5. Identify and distinguish between different types of sources used in the study of the Northern European region.
6. Integrate learned ideas and perspectives with broader social, cultural, and/or environmental contexts.

Advising and Careers

For advising and placement, please contact our undergraduate advisor:

Joanna Schuth, Undergraduate Advisor
jschuth@wisc.edu
608-262-2090
836 Van Hise
Make an appointment through Starfish

Students who transfer to UW with previous language experience should contact the undergraduate advisor as early as possible to schedule a placement test.

Students should see the advisor during the semester before their last semester. Prospective students are urged to consult the undergraduate advisor about the program at the first possible opportunity.

For additional career advising, please contact:
Lydia Odegard
Language Directions Specialist
Language Institute

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
• 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

People

Professors

Susan Brantly
Thomas DuBois
Jolanda Vanderwal Taylor
Kirsten Wolf*
Dean Krouk

Associate Professors

Sunny Yudkoff

Assistant Professors

Claus Andersen
Benjamin Mier-Cruz
Liina-Ly Roos

Teaching Faculty

B. Marcus Cederström
Scott A. Mellor

Lecturers

Ida Moen Johnson
Helen Durst

Associate Lecturer

Todd Michelson-Ambelang

* unit head