Undergraduate Course: History of the Scandinavian Novel (ELCS10003)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This Honours option course examines aspects of the development of the Scandinavian novel. We read around seven Scandinavian novels from different epochs and genres, and with themes from a range of different contexts. This gives students the opportunity to assess a number of novelistic forms in context. It includes the study of theoretical perspectives on the novel as a genre and its development, based on the presentation and discussion of a selection of seminal critical texts. This course aims to further develop skills in literary analysis as well as an awareness of different critical approaches to the novel and will equip students with reading strategies that are sensitive to Scandinavian cultural and historical similarities and differences. |
| Course description |
Based upon the study of different novelistic forms, the course facilitates a critical engagement with Scandinavian novels from the Modern Breakthrough to the current day. Through close textual analysis of these texts, the course aims to assess their main themes and characters in relation to the diverse historical, socio-political and cultural contexts in which they were written, such as class, femininity, immigrant and minority status, and the human condition. In this way, the course aims to foster an understanding for the ways in which these texts engage with, debate, and at times subvert aesthetic forms and social norms.
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching Activities:
The course will start with an introduction of different theoretical approaches to the novel, and continue with a discussion based on short student presentations on a selection of seminal critical texts. The subsequent seminars will be taught interactively, and readings of primary texts and secondary sources will be set for each week. A set of tutorial questions focusing on the main themes and ideas will be provided for each seminar. This will give a starting point for student discussion and will guide the textual analysis. In week 11, each student will give a presentation on a self-chosen topic, focusing either on one particular novel, one aspect of a novel, or a comparison of two novels. There will be set essay questions to choose from for the final discursive essay, in which students discuss one novel in-depth.
This course will be taught jointly by colleagues in Scandinavian Studies.
The course will be taught in English, all primary texts are available in English translations, but students of Scandinavian Studies are encouraged to read the texts studied in their original languages Danish, Norwegian and Swedish.
Content Notice:
In this course, we will be discussing content that may be re-traumatising to some students. We believe in the importance of engaging with this material and so please rest assured that we will work with you to ensure you can participate fully and demonstrate your achievement of the learning outcomes of the course, without compromising your wellbeing or your academic development. If you have concerns at any point, we invite you to approach the course organiser to discuss how we can best support you in your work on this course. We affirm that you will be treated with dignity and respect in all discussions and at every stage of the course.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | A pass is required at first attempt. Priority will be given to students on degree programmes in Scandinavian Studies. It is recommended that students have passed an SCQF Level 8 literature course. When in doubt, entry is at the discretion of the course organiser.
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| Additional Costs | Essential course texts |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Course Work 100%: 70% Written Work, 30% Oral Presentation
2,5% Mini-Exposé 1 (500 words as a group) (0/100)
Learning Outcomes 1, 4
2,5% Mini-Exposé 2 (500 words individually) (0/100)
Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5
30% Oral Group Presentation
Learning Outcomes 2-5
65% Course Essay (2000 words)
Learning Outcomes 2-5 |
| Feedback |
Students will receive written feedback on their exposés. Students will receive feedback on their presentations when presenting them in class, and a grade and written feedback shortly afterwards. Students will receive a grade and written feedback on their course essay, with the option of verbal feedback on request. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Assess theoretical perspectives on the definition and development of the novel as a genre.
- Appraise the course literature within its historical, socio-political and cultural context and analyse, critique and discuss complex literary devices.
- Employ critical approaches and theoretical underpinnings specific to the different novelistic forms studied on the course.
- Analyse individual texts and their nuanced meanings and make comparisons between texts at a high level.
- Communicate complex ideas effectively in written and verbal form, both individually and as a team where students work collaboratively, provide support and further develop others' ideas.
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Reading List
The course will be taught in English, but the primary texts will be studied in their original languages Danish, Norwegian and Swedish.
Primary Texts:
Herman Bang, Tine (1889) - Danish
Knut Hamsun, Sult (1890) - Norwegian Bokmål
Harry Martinson, Nässlorna blomma (1935) - Swedish
Tarjei Vessas, Kimen (1940) - Norwegian nynorsk
Anna-Karin Palm, Faunen (1991) - Swedish
Peter Høeg, Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne (1992) - Danish
Vigdis Hjorth, Et norsk hus (2015) - Norwegian Bokmål
Essential Secondary Reading (provided on Learn):
Timothy Brennan, 'The national longing for form', in Homi K. Bhaba (ed.), Nation and Narration (London and New York: Routledge, 1994 [first published 1990]), pp. 44-70.
Terry Eagleton, 'What is a Novel', in The English Novel. An Introduction (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2005), pp. 1-21.
Milan Kundera, 'The Depreciated Legacy of Cervantes', in The Art of the Novel (London: Faber and Faber, 1988 and later reprints).
Franco Moretti, Atlas of the European Novel 1800-1900 (London: Verso, 1998 and later reprints).
Ian Watt, 'Realism and the Novel Form', in The Rise of the Novel. Studies in Defoe, Richardson and Fielding, London: The Hogarth Press, 1992 [first published 1957], pp. 9-34.
For further secondary reading references and materials, please consult the course Learn page.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
10 weekly seminars of two hours each - The course will start with an introduction to the Modern Breakthrough and literary analysis and continue with theoretical approaches to different novelistic forms, based on short student presentations on a selection of seminal critical texts. The subsequent seminars will be taught interactively, with an introduction to the author and their context in the beginning of each seminar. Readings of primary texts and secondary sources will be set for each week. Each seminar will focus on a set of tutorial questions on the main themes and ideas, which will help structure student discussion and guide the textual analysis.
This course will be taught jointly by colleagues in Scandinavian Studies. |
| Keywords | DELC Hist of Scand Novel |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Anja Tröger
Tel:
Email: Anja.Troeger@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Hope Hamilton
Tel: (0131 6)50 4167
Email: hope.hamilton@ed.ac.uk |
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