The Scandinavian Studies major provides the opportunity to learn the literature, folklore, history, and culture of the Nordic countries in the original languages and in English translation. Partly in cooperation with other departments, we offer courses in Scandinavian language, history, culture, social institutions, gender and women’s studies, arts, myths, and folklore.
The program strongly encourages study abroad in a Nordic country; several exchange programs in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and elsewhere are available.
Students may apply to Norden House, a residential language learning community for UW—Madison students studying Norwegian, Danish, or Swedish, housed in Kronshage Residence Hall.
Scholars who major in the field are equipped for careers in the countries that are the world leaders in gender equity, societal welfare, and 21st-century business practices, as well as a range of careers including education, law, international trade, translation, civil service, nonprofits, the arts, linguistics, literature, environmental sciences, conservation, diplomacy, and more. Students also may continue graduate studies toward an MA in Scandinavian philology, literature, or area studies, and toward a PhD in Scandinavian literature, philology, or folklore.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
Students declared in the Scandinavian Studies certificate may not be declared in the Scandinavian Studies major at the same time. Students who do wish to declare this major must first cancel their declaration in the certificate.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | Complete either:
|
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Natural Science, Biological Science, or Physical Science designations, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Language (complete one): | 3-4 | |
| Readings in Norwegian Literature | ||
| Readings in Swedish Literature | ||
| Readings in Danish Literature | ||
| Literature & Culture (complete one course from each area): | 18 | |
Language, Culture, and History (complete at least one course): | ||
| The World of Sagas | ||
| Introduction to Scandinavia | ||
| Culture & Community in Scandinavia | ||
| Nordic Mythology | ||
| The Nordic Storyteller | ||
| The Second World War in Nordic Culture | ||
| Autobiography | ||
| Contemporary Scandinavian Languages | ||
| Languages of Northern Europe | ||
| Introductory Old Norse | ||
| Intermediate Old Norse | ||
| Survey of Old Norse-Icelandic Literature | ||
| Introduction to Scandinavian Linguistics | ||
| Areas in Scandinavian Literature | ||
| History of the Scandinavian Languages II: Standard Languages | ||
| The Vikings | ||
| History of Scandinavia to 1815 | ||
| History of Scandinavia Since 1815 | ||
| The Sagas of Icelanders in English Translation | ||
| Sexual Politics in Scandinavia | ||
| Scandinavian American Folklore | ||
| Nordic Filmmakers | ||
| Sami Culture, Yesterday and Today | ||
| Kalevala and Finnish Folk-Lore | ||
| Celtic-Scandinavian Cultural Interrelations | ||
| Scandinavian Life and Civilization II | ||
| Topics in Scandinavian Linguistics | ||
| Paleography and Philology - Old Norse | ||
| Contemporary Scandinavia: Politics and History | ||
Modern Scandinavian Literature (complete at least one course): | ||
| The Nordic Child | ||
| Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: From the Middle Ages to 1900 | ||
| Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature: the Twentieth Century | ||
| Scandinavian Children's Literature | ||
| The Drama of Henrik Ibsen | ||
| Nineteenth-Century Scandinavian Fiction | ||
| Kierkegaard and Scandinavian Literature | ||
| Contemporary Scandinavian Literature | ||
| Memory and Literature from Proust to Knausgard | ||
| The Art of Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen | ||
| Topics in Scandinavian Literature | ||
| Scandinavian Decadence in its European Context | ||
| The Writings of Hans Christian Andersen for Scandinavian Majors | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Survey of Scandinavian Literature: 1500-1800 | ||
| Survey of Scandinavian Literature: 1800-1890 | ||
| In Translation: Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature-the 20th Century | ||
| In Translation: The Tales of Hans Christian Andersen | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
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2.000 GPA in all SCAND ST and all major courses
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2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major1
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15 credits in SCAND ST, taken on campus
- 1
SCAND ST/LITTRANS 320 to SCAND ST 699 are considered upper level in the major.
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with the Scandinavian Studies advisor(s).
Honors in the Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.300 in all SCAND ST and all major courses
- Complete at least 8 Honors credits from courses numbered SCAND ST 373 and higher
- Complete either SCAND ST 634 or SCAND ST 635 with a grade of B or better
- Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in SCAND ST 681 and SCAND ST 682, for a total of 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills and integrate these skills to communicate in the target language (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) including familiarity with the other two in a variety of social situations.
- Recognize shifting geographic, cultural, ethnic/racial, and/or language factors in the Nordic region over time.
- Demonstrate an understanding of major scholarly approaches, concepts and current research findings concerning the Nordic region.
- Synthesize information, engage in discussion and research, and argue persuasively about key topics in the Nordic region.
- Identify and analyze literary texts, films, and other cultural products, using both primary and secondary sources, used in the study of the Nordic region.
- Integrate learned ideas and perspectives with broader social, cultural, and/or environmental contexts.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SCAND ST 101, 111, or 121 | 4 | SCAND ST 102, 112, or 122 | 4 |
| SCAND ST 476 | 4 | SCAND ST/FOLKLORE 443 (meets Ethnic Studies requirement) | 4 |
| Scandinavian Studies FIG Course | 4 | Social Science Breadth | 4 |
| Communication A | 3 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SCAND ST 201, 211, or 221 | 4 | SCAND ST 202, 212, or 222 | 4 |
| SCAND ST 475 (enroll in Communication B section) | 4 | GNS/FOLKLORE 200 | 3 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 3 | Physical Science Breadth | 3 |
| INTER-LS 210 | 1 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SCAND ST 251, 261, or 271 | 3-4 | Study Abroad in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden1 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3-4 | Social Science Breadth | 8 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Electives | 8 |
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Elective in Major: Choose any in Language, Culture, and History | 4 | SCAND ST 401 | 3 |
| Elective in Major: Choose any in Modern Scandinavian Literature | 4 | Electives | 12 |
| Electives | 6 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
Transfer credit will vary based on courses completed while abroad.
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel This Major
Please follow the process described on the German, Nordic, and Slavic+ website.
For advising and placement or declare the major, please contact the undergraduate advisor.
Students who transfer to UW—Madison after a year abroad should contact the undergraduate advisor as early as possible to schedule a placement test.
Majors should see the advisor during the semester before their last semester. Prospective majors are urged to consult the undergraduate advisor about their program at the first possible opportunity.
For advising on careers related to languages, talk with the Language Directions Specialist in the Language Institute.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
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