Nordic Studies

Kelly Roehl, Tomson Hall 331
507-786-3230

wp.stolaf.edu/norwegian/nordic-studies-concentration/

The Nordic studies program enables students who enter St. Olaf with advanced competence in Norwegian (or another Nordic language) or those who wish a more interdisciplinary approach than that offered by the Norwegian major an opportunity to pursue their interest in Nordic language, culture, and society.

Overview of the Major

The Nordic studies major at St. Olaf College is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue both advanced proficiency in the Norwegian language and an interdisciplinary understanding of the Nordic region. Students complete foundational courses in Norwegian language before pursuing advanced proficiency. In addition, students take a variety of courses on Nordic language, culture, and society from a variety of departments and/or disciplinary perspectives, including at least one course that explores diversity, inequity, and social justice in the Nordic context. Students also have many opportunities to complete coursework through study and/or internship opportunities in one or more Nordic countries. Finally, students participate in an upper-level research seminar in which they design and complete a research project that explores an academic question about Nordic language, culture, or society through an interdisciplinary lens. Students wanting to complete both the Nordic Studies and the Norwegian majors must complete a minimum of 10 credits beyond the foundational course requirement.

Intended Learning Outcomes for the Major

Overview of the Concentration

The Nordic studies concentration is designed for students who wish to gain an interdisciplinary understanding of the Nordic region, including its languages, cultures, and societies. The Nordic studies concentration provides students with a foundation of Norwegian language knowledge and skills. From there, students undertake coursework that situates Norway within the broader social and cultural region of the Nordic countries. Students compare and contrast the Nordic languages, cultures, and societies and engage critically with the question of what makes the Nordic countries distinctive. 

Intended Learning Outcomes for the Concentration

Overview of the Sámi and Critical Indigenous Studies Emphasis

The Sámi and Critical Indigenous Studies emphasis is a collaboration between the Norwegian Department, the Nordic Studies program, and the Race and Ethnic Studies program. In addition to courses in these programs, the emphasis includes courses from a variety of other programs to create a space to critically examine indigenous academic knowledge and Nordic colonialism. The emphasis provides an in-depth understanding of the historical experiences, cultural traditions and innovations, and political status of the Sámi and the interconnections among the Sámi and other indigenous peoples worldwide. 

St. Olaf College stands on the homelands of the Wahpekute Band of the Dakota Nation. We honor with gratitude the people who have stewarded the land throughout the generations and their ongoing contributions to this region. We acknowledge the ongoing injustices that we have committed against the Dakota Nation, and we wish to interrupt this legacy, beginning with acts of healing and honest storytelling about this place.

The emphasis consists of four total courses: two required foundational courses and two electives. Note that RACE 252 cannot be used for the Norwegian major.

Special Programs

The Norwegian Department sponsors many speakers and activities relevant to the Nordic studies concentration such as the annual Christmas service and Seventeenth of May celebration and provides students with the opportunity to live in a language house with a native speaker assistant. The Norwegian-American Historical Association, a rich source of information on Norwegian immigration, is housed in Rølvaag Memorial Library. Many students choose to study in a Nordic country on a variety of programs such as the Oslo International Summer School and the St. Olaf-sponsored programs in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Norwegian professors also participate in the Language Across the Curriculum (LAC) program, collaborating with disciplinary professors to offer students the opportunity to use their world language skills in selected courses in other departments.