2023 Fall SCANDIN 150 001 LEC 001

2023 Fall

SCANDIN 150 001 - LEC 001

Studies in Scandinavian Literature

Money, Class, and Capitalism in Scandinavian Fiction

Sofie Malmborg Hansen

Aug 23, 2023 - Dec 08, 2023
Mo
01:00 pm - 02:59 pm
Aug 23, 2023 - Dec 08, 2023
We
01:00 pm - 01:59 pm
Class #:32108
Units:4

Instruction Mode: In-Person Instruction

Offered through Scandinavian

Current Enrollment

Total Open Seats: 3
Enrolled: 12
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 15
Waitlist Max: 3
No Reserved Seats

Hours & Workload

3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials, and 9 hours of outside work hours.

Final Exam

WED, DECEMBER 13TH
07:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dwinelle 6415

Other classes by Sofie Malmborg Hansen

Other classes by Sofie Malmborg Hansen

Course Catalog Description

Variable subject matter; see departmental announcement for description. Sample topics: Scandinavian romanticism; the Modern Breakthrough; literature by and about women; the political tradition. Readings and discussion in English.

Class Description

The Nordic model, a socio-economic model that combines a capitalist market economy with a welfare system with cradle-to-grave social benefits, has caught attention worldwide. Bernie Sanders famously cited Denmark and its neighboring countries Sweden and Norway as ideal models for his vision of America, whilst Donald Trump’s White House listed the former as a prime example of a failing socialist nation. Pinnacle or nightmare – American opinions of Scandinavian socio-economic structures are abundant. But what does the Nordic model look like from the inside? This class explores Scandinavian views on money, class, and capitalism through the lens of literary fiction. From Victoria Benedictsson’s ‘Money’ (1885) portraying the life of a young woman trapped in the idle life of an arranged marriage in rural Sweden, through Tove Ditlevsen’s depiction of a working class upbringing in her ‘Copenhagen Trilogy’ (1967–1971) to Jonas Eika’s award-winning short story ‘Alvin’ (2018) set in a near future featuring a consultant working for a collapsed bank, this class will introduce students to a range of modern and contemporary Scandinavian literature thematically centered on economic structures and practices. The course emphasizes curiosity, collaboration, and creative expression. Because classes are held in a seminar-like format prioritizing in-class discussion, attendance and participation is essential, and students are expected to be well-prepared to discuss the day’s topic. All readings are in English. The course has no prerequisites – all are welcome. The final exam project is a hands-on creative exhibition on the novels read throughout the semester.

Class Notes

PREREQUISITES: None. All readings are in English.

Rules & Requirements

Repeat Rules

Requirements class fulfills

Meets Arts & Literature, L&S Breadth

Reserved Seats

Current Enrollment

No Reserved Seats

Textbooks & Materials

See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.

Textbook Lookup

Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials

eTextbooks

Associated Sections

None