The History of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region: 1850-2000, 7.5 credits

Validation

This course syllabus was validated by the Management Board of the School of Historical and Contemporary Studies at Södertörn University on 2018-04-23 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements (Specific entry requirements A6, exemption provided for basic level social sciences (equivalent of Swedish course Social Sciences 1b / 1a1 and 1a2)).

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students are able to

• broadly summarise major developments in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region from 1850 to the present time at a basic level
• explain selected important events and turning points in the history of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region
• at a basic level, compare and contextualise the development of different countries in the region, especially nation-building processes and national narratives
• reflect on how different historical perspectives affect our view of the past, and thereby also of the present time and the future
• critically examine texts and reflect on differences in national historiographies.
• discuss scholarly issues in spoken and written English.

Course content, modules and examinations

The course provides an introduction to the history of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea Region from 1850- 2000. It deals with the rise of nationalism in the second half of the 19th century, the independence of various nations after the Russian revolution and WWI, the division of the region in East and West after WWII, the time after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the different attempts to create and build a region from the 19th century to the present day. The emphasis is on a comparative study of nation-building, national (and regional) identities, national narratives and memories.

Course design

The course is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Teaching can take place outside the university, e.g. in a museum.

Examination format

Examination will be in the form of active participation in seminars, written assignments and a take-home essay.

Make-up work in the form of written assignment will be required for all missed seminars. However, students who are absent for more than 20% of the compulsory seminars are not considered to have participated adequately in the course, and will not receive a pass grade.

The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.

If a student has a certificate from Södertörn University for compensatory support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adapted examination or alternative form of examination in accordance with Södertörn University's regulations.

Restrictions on accreditation

The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden or elsewhere.

Other stipulations

Following the Vice-Chancellors decision on internationalization and grade scale at Södertörn University College (dnr: 1148-1.1.2-2018), this syllabus replaces the syllabus with course code 1164HI, with the difference that the grade system has been updated. The syllabus is determined through special order (dnr: 1775-2.1.1-2018).