Swedish Literature
The course is a free-standing introduction to Swedish literature from the 1800th century to the present.
August Strindberg 1905 by Richard Bergh
This course is a survey of Swedish literature from the late 1800th century through to the present. We explore how literary genres evolve alongside new forms of knowledge, understanding, and experience, with particular attention to the changing role of literature in the formation of subjecthood and identity. The course highlights a number of important Swedish writers, while also providing a historical context: from the Romantic destruction of inherited forms and new experiments in writing, to the political and social questions raised by Realism, to the Nordic noir of the present.
Teaching Format
Instruction is given in the form of lectures and seminars. The language of instruction is English.
Assessment
The course is examined on the basis of a take-home written examination.
In order to pass the course, students are expected to be able to:
- explain and discuss Swedish literature in relation to thematic and contextual perspectives
- analyse specific Swedish literary texts in relation to the theoretical and critical texts included in the course
The take-home exam consists of a 4-5-page paper (on two topics) and should adhere to the following criteria:
- correct formatting, using 1.5 spacing, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, correct use of citations (preferably MLA)
- demonstrate a thorough understanding of the texts discussed
- articulate a well-considered, individual critical viewpoint on the texts discussed.
- be carefully written in correct academic prose
- take any relevant secondary material distributed by your teacher into consideration: the inclusion of additional secondary material is optional.
Examiner
Fall semester 2026
Jan Holmgaard, Associate Professor
- Schedule LVGN12 Autumn semester 2025 Day-time 50%
- Schedule LVGN12 Spring semester 2026 Day-time 50%
- Schedule LVGN12 Spring semester 2026 Day-time 50%
- Schedule LVGN12 Autumn semester 2026 Day-time 50%
- Schedule LVGN12 Autumn semester 2026 Day-time 50%
- Schedule LVGN12 Spring semester 2027 Day-time 50%
- Schedule LVGN12 Spring semester 2027 Day-time 50%
You can register online for the spring semester 2026 between 7 January and 22 March.
To register online, you must first activate your university account. You can do this starting on 7 January.
