Entry requirements

At least 22.5 credits from Swedish Language A alternatively Professional Writing in Swedish, 15 credits, Language Structure, 7.5 credits, and Swedish in Time and Space, 7.5 credits.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• demonstrate a greater knowledge of the structure, variation and historical development of the Swedish language
• identify and account for the main linguistic perspectives, types of research topics and theories, and translate these into questions that are relevant in research

Competence and skills:

• produce academic texts, both orally and in writing, in good Swedish
• use relevant theories and methods to analyze language at word, phrase, sentence and text level
• read and interpret older Swedish texts

Judgement and approach:

• problematize linguistic categories, concepts and descriptions
• assess and justify the selected theory, material and method of a delimited linguistic research project
• demonstrate a greater awareness of linguistic variation in society as well as an understanding of language policy issues

Content

The course will provide the student with a greater knowledge of and a scientific approach to the structure, usage and history of the Swedish language. The course comprises four modules: A module on the relationship between language and society, a module on the history of the Swedish language, a module on grammar, text and meaning, and a module about different perspectives and approaches within current linguistic research. Further, the student practices language skills in speech and writing.

Module 1. Language and Society 7.5 credits

This module covers the relationship between the structure of society, the individual's social situation and linguistic communication. The student will extend and apply their knowledge of linguistic variation, language planning and conversation analysis, as well as sociolinguistic methods and theories.

Learning outcomes for module 1 Language and Society, 7.5 credits

Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:

• use scientific terminology to describe and explain linguistic variation and change, and how these relate to extralinguistic factors
• describe and discuss the Swedish language situation, language policies and language planning
• account for and problematize the main sociolinguistic methods and theories.

Module 2. The Emergence of the Swedish Language 7.5 credits

This module provides basic knowledge of the history of the Swedish language from the Viking Age  to the present, as well as an introduction to onomastics (the study of proper names).

Learning outcomes for module 2. The Emergence of the Swedish Language, 7.5 credits

Upon completing the module, the student should be able to:

• give an account of the history of the Swedish language from the Viking Age to approximately the 1700s with regard to the structure, vocabulary, genres and the relationship between speech and writing
• explain and problematize fundamental concepts in historical linguistics
• read and interpret texts from various time periods of Swedish history, and make linguistically relevant observations in the texts
• describe the main features of the development of Swedish place and personal naming customs and practices and apply a few fundamental onomastic concepts and terms

Module 3. Grammar, Text and Meaning 7.5 credits

Within the scope of this course, the student expands their knowledge of and skills in structural analysis of the Swedish language. The purpose is for the students to acquire several tools for analyzing and describing grammatical and semantic phenomena in sentences and texts, while at the same time developing a problem-oriented and scientific approach to language.

Learning outcomes for module 3. Grammar, Text and Meaning, 7.5 credits

Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate familiarity with how a couple of different models for describing the structure of language are grounded in various theories
• analyze the structure of words, sentences and texts according to a couple of models
• use the main manuals of grammatical analysis
• problematize grammatical categories, concepts and descriptions

Module 4. Linguistic Perspectives 7.5 credits

Within the scope of this module, the student expands their knowledge of perspectives and approaches within an area of ​​Swedish/Nordic linguistics, and their understanding of how these can be translated into linguistic research. Within the framework of the course, the student completes a small-scale research project and reports on it.

Learning outcomes for module 4. Linguistic Perspectives, 7.5 credits

Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:

• describe and reflect on current studies from some area of ​​interest within Swedish/Scandinavian linguistics, in particular its problem statements and research aims, as well as its theoretical and methodological approaches
• identify linguistically relevant research questions
• complete and present a small-scale linguistic research project in such a way that it meets scientific standards

Instruction

Lectures, lessons, seminars and group exercises. There are mandatory elements and written assignments.

Assessment

Students are assessed on the basis of seminars and oral and written assignments and tests. In all written and oral work, the student's ability to write correct texts that are appropriate to the situation and genre, is assessed.

Students who fail a regular examination will be offered a make-up examination within a reasonable period of time after the regular examination. Students who fail a certain examination twice may apply to the head of the department for permission to change examiners or in certain cases the form of examination.

To receive a grade of Pass with Distinction for the whole course, students must have achieved the grade of Pass with Distinction in components worth a total of at least 22,5 credits.

Other directives

Good proficiency in Swedish is required to pass the course. Contact the study counsellor if you are not certain about your level.