The Languages and Cultures of Northern Europe certificate offers an opportunity to study the many diverse linguistic, cultural, and religious communities that have become part of Northern Europe as a result of international migration and pan-European economic integration. Students earning the certificate have maximum flexibility of choice in the culture they wish to study in depth, or if they want to take a comparative approach over the region. The certificate maps intellectually a complex and fascinating region of contemporary Europe — one which is marked not only by longstanding national cultures but also by an increasingly diverse and mobile populace.
If students wish, students may include language study in Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, or Yiddish as part of their course choices.
How to Get in
Students should contact the undergraduate advisor by email or make an appointment to declare the certificate.
Requirements
The certificate requires a minimum of five courses and 18 credits. The courses must be distributed as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Colonialism, Diversity, Indigeneity, Migration 1 | 3 | |
| Complete at least one course and three credits: | ||
| Scandinavian American Folklore | ||
| Nordic Filmmakers | ||
| Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe | ||
| In Translation: The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen | ||
or SCAND ST 434 | The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen | |
| The Second World War in Nordic Culture | ||
| Sexual Politics in Scandinavia | ||
| Sami Culture, Yesterday and Today | ||
| Language, Literature, and Culture | 15 | |
| Complete at least four courses and 15 credits from the list: | ||
| The Irish Tradition | ||
| Celtic-Scandinavian Cultural Interrelations | ||
FOLKLORE 518 | ||
| First Semester Dutch | ||
| Second Semester Dutch | ||
| Third Semester Dutch | ||
| Fourth Semester Dutch | ||
GERMAN 235 | ||
| Topics in Dutch Life and Culture | ||
| Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe | ||
| Topics in Dutch Literature | ||
or LITTRANS 326 | Topics in Dutch Literature in Translation | |
GERMAN 335 | ||
| Study Abroad in Dutch Literature | ||
| Study Abroad in Dutch Culture | ||
| Study Abroad in Dutch Linguistics | ||
GERMAN 445 | ||
| Letterkunde der Lage Landen | ||
| Cultuurkunde der Lage Landen | ||
| Folklore of Central, Eastern and Northern Europe | ||
| Cultures of Sustainability: Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe | ||
| First Semester Yiddish | ||
| Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe | ||
| In Translation:Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature, Middle Ages-1900 | ||
| In Translation: Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature-the 20th Century | ||
or SCAND ST 374 | Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: the Twentieth Century | |
| In Translation: The Tales of Hans Christian Andersen | ||
| Topics in Scandinavian Literature | ||
LITTRANS 331 | ||
| In Translation: The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen | ||
or SCAND ST 434 | The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen | |
| In Translation: The Drama of Henrik Ibsen | ||
or SCAND ST 422 | The Drama of Henrik Ibsen | |
| In Translation: The Drama of August Strindberg | ||
or SCAND ST 423 | ||
LITTRANS 346 | ||
| The Sagas of Icelanders in English Translation | ||
| In Translation: 19th Century Scandinavian Fiction | ||
LITTRANS 340 | ||
or SCAND ST 427 | Contemporary Scandinavian Literature | |
| The Nordic Storyteller | ||
| In Translation: Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore | ||
| Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore | ||
| Scandinavian Decadence in its European Context | ||
| Memory and Literature from Proust to Knausgard | ||
| The Sagas of Icelanders in English Translation | ||
| Sexual Politics in Scandinavia | ||
| Second Semester Norwegian | ||
| First Semester Norwegian | ||
| First Semester Swedish | ||
| Second Semester Swedish | ||
| First Semester Danish | ||
| Second Semester Danish | ||
| First Semester Finnish | ||
| Second Semester Finnish | ||
| Second Year Norwegian | ||
| Second Year Norwegian | ||
| Second Year Swedish | ||
| Second Year Swedish | ||
| Second Year Danish | ||
| Second Year Danish | ||
| The World of Sagas | ||
| Introduction to Scandinavia | ||
| Readings in Norwegian Literature | ||
| Readings in Swedish Literature | ||
| Readings in Danish Literature | ||
| Culture & Community in Scandinavia | ||
| Autobiography | ||
| Contemporary Scandinavian Languages | ||
| Advanced Topics in Nordic Studies | ||
| Kierkegaard and Scandinavian Literature | ||
| The Vikings | ||
| Scandinavian Decadence in its European Context | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
Courses in the Colonialism, Diversity, Indigeneity, and Migration list may each only count once for the certificate.
Residence and Quality of Work
- At least 9 certificate credits must be completed in residence
- Minimum 2.000 GPA on all certificate courses.
- Courses taken pass/fail may not apply to the certificate.
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize and understand language, literary, and/or cultural phenomena as they pertain to Northern Europe and put them into context.
- Recognize shifting geographic, cultural, ethnic/racial, and/or language factors in the Northern European region over time.
- Demonstrate an understanding of major approaches, concepts and current research findings concerning the Northern European region.
- Synthesize information, engage in discussion and research, and argue persuasively about key topics in the Northern European region.
- Identify and distinguish between different types of sources used in the study of the Northern European region.
- Integrate learned ideas and perspectives with broader social, cultural, and/or environmental contexts.
Advising and Careers
Students should contact the undergraduate advisor, Joanna Schuth (jschuth@wisc.edu), to declare the certificate.
Students who transfer to UW—Madison with previous language experience should contact the undergraduate advisor as early as possible to schedule a placement test.
Students should see the advisor during the semester before their last semester. Prospective students are urged to consult the undergraduate advisor about the program at the first possible opportunity.
For advising on careers related to languages, talk with Lydia Odegard (lodegard@wisc.edu), Language Directions Specialist in the Language Institute.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students