B.A. in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures

FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE MAJOR PRIOR DECEMBER 30, 2020

 
The B.A. in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures seeks to train undergraduate students in the languages, literatures and cultures of the Nordic region (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland). The goal of the major in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures is to provide the student with a broad, yet robust, knowledge of the languages, literatures and cultures of the Nordic countries. Our course offerings span five centuries, five countries and five languages.

Students will have the unique opportunity to study the works of numerous Nobel Prize winning authors, view and interpret Scandinavian film spanning over a century, and become familiar with the history and folklore of these countries. The student graduating with a B.A. in Scandinavian Languages and Cultures will have a high degree of language proficiency in one of the Scandinavian languages, will have a reading proficiency in two other Scandinavian languages, will have a broad knowledge of the development of print and media culture in the region (stretching back to the early medieval period) and will have a good command of the intellectual history of the region. Students will be well suited to pursue advanced, graduate degrees in Scandinavian languages, literatures and cultural studies, graduate degrees in Germanic studies, film, theater and/or design; pursue professional degrees in law or business; apply for governmental or non-governmental organization work; or seek private sector employment in areas that require expertise with the languages, cultures and histories of the Nordic region.

For a complete listing and description of department courses visit the UCLA General Catalog.

No credit is allowed for completing a less advanced course after successful completion of a more advanced course in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish grammar and/or composition. Students with demonstrated preparation may be permitted a more advanced program by the section or may be transferred to a more advanced course with consent of the instructor.

Native speakers of Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish may not enroll in any language course (including courses 105, 106, 107) in the Scandinavian Section except by petition in writing to the section. Non-Scandinavian students with knowledge of one of these Scandinavian languages may not take courses in the others except by petition in writing. Petitions must include a description of the student’s linguistic background and the reason for wanting to take the language course in question.

Preparation for the Major

Required: Scandinavian 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, or 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, or 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, or equivalent.

The Major

Required:

  1. Scandinavian 105 or 106 or 107; AND
  2. 10 courses from the following five tracks, with at least one course in each track: (1) early Nordic literatures and cultures–Scandinavian C131, 132A, 132B, C133A, C137, 138, (2) theory, genres, and authors–Scandinavian C141A, 141C, 142A, 143C, CM144A, C145A, C145B, C146A, 147A, C147B, (3) literary periods–Scandinavian 152, 155, 156, 157, (4) Scandinavian cinema–Scandinavian 161, C163A, C166A, C166C, (5) cultural studies–Scandinavian C171, C174A, 174B, C175; AND
  3. Three Scandinavian 187FL courses, taken in conjunction with any upper division course applied toward the major.

As an option, four upper division courses in a related field may be taken if approved in advance by the undergraduate adviser. In general, the courses must include significant content related to the Nordic region. It is recommended that students who plan to do graduate work in Scandinavian take German 1 through 6.

Scandinavian Course Listings

The Five Tracks in the Scandinavian courses are:

  • Early Nordic Literatures and Cultures (130-139)
  • Theory, Genres, and Authors (140-149)
  • Literary Periods (150-159)
  • Cinema and Television (160-169)
  • Cultural Studies (170-179); also 
  • Additional Courses (180-189)
Transfer Students

Transfer applicants to the Scandinavian Languages and Cultures major with 90 or more units must complete the following introductory courses prior to admission to UCLA: two years of either Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish.

Refer to the UCLA Transfer Admission Guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.