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Swedish Literature

The course is a free-standing introduction to Swedish literature from the 1800th century to the present.

August Strindberg av Richard Berg
August Strindberg av Richard Berg

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.

  • Course structure

    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

    Autumn 2022

    Jan Holmgaard, Associate Professor

  • Schedule

    The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.

  • Course literature

    Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

  • Course reports

  • Contact

    Study Councellor Literature
    studievagledning.ike@su.se

    • Contact your Study Counsellor via email.

    Students Office
    expedition.ike@su.se
    08-674 74 84
    • Visiting address

    • Manne Siegbahn Buildings, A

      Room: 260

    • Frescativägen 24E

    • Office hours

    • Tuesdays, 14-16, and Thursdays, 09:30-11:30

    • Phone hours

    • Phone Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 13:30-15:30

    • Irregular office hours

    • Thursday 1 June: Closed

Selected reading

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