Scandinavian studies is concerned with the study of languages, literature, history, politics, and cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Emphasis is placed both on contemporary literature and culture and on historical development. Although most courses designed for majors are taught in the original languages, a broad spectrum of courses designed primarily for nonmajors is offered in English.
A major in Danish fosters excellent linguistic, analytical, and communication skills. Danish studies can serve as a platform from which to explore art, literature and philosophy, history and politics, the environment, social democracy, and women’s and gender studies. Students gain advanced linguistic proficiency in Danish, and acquire cultural and historical knowledge of Denmark, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Denmark is the birthplace of world famous philosophers and writers, and a leader in international business and culture.
Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: First- and second-year Danish
Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.
By earning a B.A. in Danish, a student acquires advanced linguistic proficiency in Danish, excellent knowledge of Denmark in a broad perspective, as well as superb and practical communication skills.
60 credits
A B.A. in Finnish Studies opens doors in architecture, technology, arts and culture, linguistics, education and business by fostering strong linguistic, analytical, and communication skills. Students gain advanced linguistic proficiency in Finnish, and acquire cultural and historical knowledge of Finland, Scandinavia and the Baltic. This innovative country is a center of business, education, and culture in Europe, and a gateway to Russia.
Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: First- and second-year Finnish
Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.
By earning a B.A. in Finnish, a student acquires advanced linguistic proficiency in Finnish, excellent knowledge of Finland in a broad perspective, as well as superb and practical communication skills.
60 credits
A Bachelor of Arts in Norwegian Studies fosters strong linguistic, analytical, and communication skills. Norwegian studies can serve as a platform from which to explore art, literature and philosophy, history and politics, the environment, social democracy, and women’s and gender studies. Students gain advanced linguistic proficiency in Norwegian, and acquire cultural and historical knowledge of Norway, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Norway is the birthplace of world famous modern artists and a leader in peace and conflict resolution and environmental philosophy.
Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: First- and second-year Norwegian
Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.
By earning a B.A. in Norwegian, a student acquires advanced linguistic proficiency in Norwegian, excellent knowledge of Norway in a broad perspective, as well as superb and practical communication skills.
60 credits
A Bachelor of Arts in Scandinavian Area Studies fosters advanced knowledge of the culture, politics, and history of Scandinavia. It also gives strong analytical, and communication skills Scandinavian Area Studies can serve as a platform from which to explore politics, history, the environment, social democracy, and women’s and gender studies. Students gain intermediate linguistic proficiency in a Scandinavian or Baltic language, or Finnish. Scandinavia is the birthplace of world famous modern artists, Social democracy, and innovative economic and cultural practices and institutions, and is a global leader in peacemaking, environmentalism, and gender equality.
Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: First- and second-year Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, or Swedish.
Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.
By earning a B.A. in Scandinavian Area Studies, students acquire intermediate linguistic skill in Finnish, a Baltic language, or a Scandinavian language, as well as strong knowledge of an important economic and political region of northern Europe. It prepares students for international careers, as well as giving strong analytical and communication skills.
65 credits
A B.A. in Swedish fosters strong linguistic, analytical, and communication skills. Swedish studies can serve as a platform from which to explore art, literature and philosophy, history and politics, the environment, social democracy, and women’s and gender studies. Students gain advanced linguistic proficiency in Sweden, and acquire cultural and historical knowledge of Sweden, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Sweden is the birthplace of world famous modern artists, Social democracy, and innovative economic and cultural practices and institutions.
Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: First- and second-year Swedish
Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.
By earning a B.A. in Swedish, a student acquires advanced linguistic proficiency in Swedish, excellent knowledge of Sweden in a broad perspective, as well as superb and practical communication skills.
60 credits
A minor in Baltic Studies focuses on Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (the Baltic countries), including their current politics, history and culture (literature, film, art and music). Introductory competence in one of the three languages (Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian) adds deeper understanding of European nations and identities.
Students with a minor in Baltic Studies demonstrate excellent knowledge of three European Union countries and their people. They can communicate in one of the three national languages – Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian. To their major degree they add a global perspective, and specialized knowledge about a complex region rich with creative arts and innovative technology.
35 credits
A minor in Danish fosters strong linguistic, analytical, and communication skills. Danish studies can serve as a platform from which to explore art, literature and philosophy, history and politics, the environment, social democracy, and women’s and gender studies. Students gain intermediate linguistic proficiency in Danish, and acquire cultural and historical knowledge of Denmark, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Denmark is the birthplace of world famous philosophers and writers, and a leader in international business and culture.
By earning a minor in Danish, a student acquires intermediate linguistic proficiency in Danish, excellent knowledge of Denmark in a broad perspective, as well as superb and practical communication skills.
35 credits
A minor in Estonian studies focuses on the north European country, Estonia, and its history, current politics, and culture (literature, film, art and music). Intermediate competence in the Estonian language adds deeper understanding of a country that is today a global leader in innovative information technology as well as music and literary arts, and a centuries-old meeting point of civilizations.
Students with a minor in Estonian Studies demonstrate excellent knowledge of this European country and its people. They can communicate in the Estonian language. To their major degree they add a global perspective, with specialized knowledge about a country rich in creative arts and innovative technology.
35 credits
A minor in Finnish Studies opens doors in architecture, technology, arts and culture, linguistics, education and business by fostering strong linguistic, analytical, and communication skills. Students gain intermediate linguistic proficiency in Finnish, and acquire cultural and historical knowledge of Finland, Scandinavia and the Baltic. This innovative country is a center of business, education, and culture in Europe, and a gateway to Russia.
By earning a minor in Finnish, a student acquires intermediate linguistic proficiency in Finnish, strong knowledge of Finland in a broad perspective, as well as superb and practical communication skills.
35 credits
A minor in Latvian studies focuses on the north European country, Latvia, and its history, current politics, and culture (literature, film, art and music). Intermediate competence in the Latvian language adds deeper understanding of a country that is today a global leader in innovative technology as well as music and literary arts, and a centuries-old meeting point of civilizations.
Students with a minor in Latvian Studies demonstrate excellent knowledge of this European country and its people. They can communicate in the Latvian language. To their major degree, they add a global perspective, with specialized knowledge about a country rich in creative arts and innovative technology.
35 credits
A minor in Lithuanian studies focuses on the north European country, Lithuania, and its history, current politics, and culture (literature, film, art and music). Intermediate competence in the Lithuanian language adds deeper understanding of a country that is today a global leader in innovative technology as well as music and literary arts, and a centuries-old meeting point of civilizations.
Students with a minor in Lithuanian Studies demonstrate excellent knowledge of this European country and its people. They can communicate in the Lithuanian language. To their major degree, they add a global perspective, with specialized knowledge about a country rich in creative arts and innovative technology.
35 credits
A minor in Norwegian Studies fosters strong linguistic, analytical, and communication skills. Norwegian studies can serve as a platform from which to explore art, literature and philosophy, history and politics, the environment, social democracy, and women’s and gender studies. Students gain advanced linguistic proficiency in Norwegian, and acquire cultural and historical knowledge of Norway, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Norway is the birthplace of world famous modern artists and a leader in peace and conflict resolution and environmental philosophy.
By earning a minor in Norwegian, a student acquires intermediate linguistic proficiency in Norwegian, strong knowledge of Norway in a broad perspective, as well as superb and practical communication skills.
35 credits
The minor in Scandinavian Area Studies fosters advanced knowledge of the culture, politics, and history of Scandinavia. It also gives strong analytical, and communication skills Scandinavian Area Studies can serve as a platform from which to explore politics, history, the environment, social democracy, and women’s and gender studies. Students gain intermediate linguistic proficiency in a Scandinavian or Baltic language, or Finnish. Scandinavia is the birthplace of world famous modern artists, Social democracy, and innovative economic and cultural practices and institutions, and is a global leader in peacemaking, environmentalism, and gender equality.
By earning a minor in Scandinavian Area Studies, students acquire linguistic skill in Finnish, a Baltic language, or a Scandinavian language, as well as good knowledge of an important economic and political region of northern Europe. The minor gives good background for international careers, as well as giving strong analytical and communication skills.
35 credits
A minor in Swedish fosters strong linguistic, analytical, and communication skills. Swedish studies can serve as a platform from which to explore art, literature and philosophy, history and politics, the environment, social democracy, and women’s and gender studies. Students gain advanced linguistic proficiency in Sweden, and acquire cultural and historical knowledge of Sweden, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Sweden is the birthplace of world famous modern artists, Social democracy, and innovative economic and cultural practices and institutions.
By earning a minor in Swedish, a student acquires intermediate linguistic proficiency in Swedish, excellent knowledge of Sweden in a broad perspective, as well as superb and practical communication skills.
35 credits
Student Outcomes and Opportunities
Graduates of the Scandinavian studies program have the qualifications to embark on careers that require skills in the interpretation of information in various media, critical analysis, and effective communication and to continue in graduate programs and professional schools that value an international perspective.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.