2023 Fall
SCANDIN 150 001 - LEC 001
Studies in Scandinavian Literature
Money, Class, and Capitalism in Scandinavian Fiction
Sofie Malmborg Hansen
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.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials
Associated Sections
None