About this course
The goal of this course is to ensure you do not feel linguistically isolated while studying in Sweden. You learn enough Swedish to understand what is going on around you in your daily life, while also becoming familiar with Swedish history and culture. The course includes topics on the burning issues of contemporary Sweden so that you can have interesting conversations with the locals and increase your ability to reflect on your cross-cultural experience living in Sweden.
Additional Swedish language courses available
Higher level language courses will be offered based on your previous academic background in the language.
Syllabus
Syllabus note
Several sections of this course run each semester. Above is a sample syllabus that offers a good example of what they are like. You will gain access to your final syllabus for your course section on the Tuesday before your semester.
Faculty
Lauren LaFauci
Ph.D. (American Studies & Environmental Humanities, University of Michigan, 2009). Assistant Professor of Environmental Humanities, Whitman College, USA, 2024; Linköping University, Sweden, 2018-2023. Program Convener of the Seed Box Environmental Humanities Collaboratory, Sweden, 2016-2017. Visiting Fellow, Posthumanities Hub, Sweden, 2016. Developmental Editor, 2009-2015. Communications Coach at Stanford University, 2007-2013. With DIS since 2025.
Felicitas Rabiger
FacultyIntercultural trainer and language teacher, FelicitaSiones Consulting. B.A. American Studies/Intercultural Communications (Bayreuth University, 2009). M.A. European Culture (University of Groningen and University of Uppsala, 2011). Intercultural Competence Consultant, BBi Communication, 2022-2024. Director of Project Development, Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan, 2020-2022. Resident Director and Professor, CIEE Study Abroad, 2013-2017. International Coordinator, Linköping University, 2012-2013. International Officer, Uppsala Student Union, 2011-2012. With DIS since 2024.
Andrea Simonelli
FacultyB.A. in Modern Languages and Literature (English, Russian and Scandinavian Languages, Milano University, 2009). M. Sc. in Pedagogy (Stockholm Univerity, 2020). Business Developer, ELVIRA Kunskapsutveckling, 2022-2024. Developer of “Ukraine Compentece Program” (funded by the European Social Fund). Goal: ensure the successful integration of Ukraine refugees into Swedish society. Language teacher, ABF Komvux, Stockholm, 2018-2022, teaching Swedish to adults. Language Teacher, Sigtuna Kommun, 2017-2018. With DIS since 2024.
Lena Norrman
FacultyPh.D., Older Germanic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University, 2006. Senior Lecturer in Swedish in the department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch at the University of Minnesota since 2005. The role of women in medieval Scandinavia is the focus of Dr. Norrman’s research, with special emphasis on the use of weaving as a means of communication. She is the author of Viking Women: Narrative Roles in Woven Tapestries (2008). She has also published articles on women, storytelling and weaving in Viking Age Scandinavia and Classical Greece. With DIS from 2018.