spring 2025
HIS-2019 Scandinavism: Overlapping and Competing Identities in the Nordic World, 1770–1919 - 10 ECTS

Type of course

Elective course in the Bachelor's program in History and the Teacher Education in Language and Social Studies Year 8-13 Master's program, with History as field of study.

The course is also offered to foreign students with an interest in Scandinavian history and Northern area studies.

The course may be taken as a singular course, or as part of a bachelor's degree. As an elective for minors, it is relevant for students of humanistic disciplines and social sciences.


Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).

Admission code: 9199 - singular course at undergraduate level.


Course content

This course is an introduction to the history of Scandinavism. Taking start in theoretical literature on nationalism and pan-nationalism, it discusses Scandinavism as both a political ideology aiming at the unification of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in a confederation or constitutional monarchy, and a cultural movement that articulated a common

Scandinavian identity through an intense cultural activism and sought to stimulate cross-border cooperation between the three nations. Particular attention will be directed to the interactions between this pan-Scandinavian project and the individual nation-building processes in the three Scandinavian states.

The students will be acquainted with how different cultural productions - ranging from historical fiction to large-scale commemorations and public art - can be understood within this context of overlapping and competing identity projects.

The final sessions of the course are dedicated to later incarnations of pan-Scandinavian or pan-Nordic cooperation that expanded its geographical reach through the inclusion of Finland, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland.


Objectives of the course

The students will obtain the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate

  • has knowledge of important topics, theories and definitions within the area of research on nationalism and Scandinavism
  • has knowledge about the complex relationship between national and pan-national identity formation
  • is familiar with the history of Scandinavia in the ‘Long Nineteenth Century’ (1770-1919)

Skills

The candidate

  • can apply a critical view of the human past by using academic knowledge and relevant theories
  • can reflect critically on such concepts as ‘nation’, ‘nation-state’, ‘people’ and ‘Scandinavia’ as categories of historical investigation

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

To achieve the central learning targets, the course will have multiple teaching approaches; with approximately 12 lectures, with elements of discussions, and collective and individual guidance.

All courses will be evaluated once during the period of the study program. The study program manager decides which courses will be evaluated by students and teacher each year.


Information to incoming exchange students

This course is available for inbound exchange students. There are no academic prerequisites to add this module in your Learning Agreement.

Do you have questions about this course? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: INBOUND STUDENT MOBILITY: COURSE COORDINATORS AT THE FACULTIES | UiT


Schedule

Examination

Examination: Date: Duration: Grade scale:
School exam 30.04.2025 09:00
4 Hours A–E, fail F

Coursework requirements:

To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements:

Written assignment Approved – not approved
UiT Exams homepage

More info about the coursework requirements

The following coursework requirements must be completed and approved in order to take the final exam:

  • An individual written assignment (c. 600 word (1,5 pages), 12pt., 1,5 space).

Re-sit examination

A re-sit exam is arranged for students who have not passed the last ordinary exam in this course.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: HIS-2019
  • Tidligere år og semester for dette emnet