One of the most attractive characteristics of this four-year programme is its flexibility.
In Years 1 and 2 your pre-honours years you will choose option courses from a wide range of disciplines in addition to your core subjects of Scandinavian Studies and English Literature.
As well as broadening your education and skill set this may enable you to change the focus of your programme in Years 3 and 4 your honours years.
Year 1
Scandinavian Studies
You will take an intensive beginners' language course in either Danish Norwegian or Swedish.
Each course also involves studying literature and culture.
English Literature
In English Literature you will take two Literary Studies courses which will introduce you to the essential skills needed for the critical close reading of the core literary genres of:
poetry
drama
prose
You will read works of literature written in English from around the world and encounter a range of ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study.
Option courses
To broaden the scope of your study you'll also choose option courses from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.
These include two courses in Scandinavian Civilisation which provide an overview of important trends in the history society culture and politics of the Scandinavian and wider Nordic world from the earliest times to the present.
We would encourage you to take one or both of these Scandinavian Civilisation options over the course of Years 1 and 2.
Other options include - but are not limited to - courses in:
Celtic and Scottish ethnology
linguistics and language sciences
business economics and informatics
politics social policy and social anthropology
art and architectural history
history classics and archaeology
philosophy divinity and law
You can also opt to study another language. We offer one of the widest ranges of languages of any UK university. The majority are suitable for complete beginners and include cultural study.
Year 2
Scandinavian Studies
You will continue with Danish Language 2 Norwegian Language 2 or Swedish Language 2 building on your linguistic knowledge from Year 1.
You will also take further courses in Scandinavian literature and languages. You can choose for example to develop your skills in understanding all three Scandinavian languages.
English Literature
You will be introduced to the study of English literature in its cultural and historical contexts focusing on a selection of major periods.
The courses will explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national international and imperial cultures.
Option courses
As in Year 1 you will also choose option courses from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.
These include a great selection in European languages and cultures allowing you to study literature film and theatre in themed and comparative contexts.
Year 3
If international travel restrictions allow you will spend your third year in either Denmark Norway or Sweden either studying or completing a work/teaching placement.
Whether studying or working our graduates have told us how much the year abroad has benefited their broader life experience and skills as well as their understanding of Scandinavian culture.
During your year abroad we will aim to ensure your experience is as beneficial as possible to your final year as well as to your wider language learning cultural awareness and skills development.
You will complete prescribed work in both English Literature and Scandinavian Studies. For example you will take an e-learning language course which will count as part of your Year 3 mark and prepare you for your final year courses in either Danish Norwegian or Swedish.
If international travel is not possible you will be offered an alternative means of engaging with your subjects enabling you to meet your learning outcomes and preparing you for your final year.
Year 4
You will develop advanced spoken and written skills in your chosen Scandinavian language and can choose from a wide range of specialist courses in both Scandinavian Studies and English Literature.
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