NONISK_01 Scandinavian and Dutch History, Society and Culture

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Tomáš Bratina, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Adéla Ficová (lecturer)
Mgr. Veronika Horáčková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Alžbeta Jurkovičová (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Miluše Juříčková, CSc. (lecturer)
Mgr. Marta Kostelecká, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Daniela Průšová (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Pavel Přibáň (lecturer)
Mgr. Sofie Rose-Anne W. Royeaerd, M.A. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Eliška Straková (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Miluše Juříčková, CSc.
Department of German, Scandinavian and Netherland Studies – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of German, Scandinavian and Netherland Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 10:00–11:40 B2.24, except Mon 21. 4. to Sun 27. 4.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to introduce students to key aspects of Scandinavian (Norwegian and Swedish), Dutch, and Belgian history, culture, literature, and society, with a particular focus on their unique characteristics and contributions. It also examines the linguistic situation in these countries, considering their current state in relation to historical and cultural development, as well as their impact on European culture.
The course is divided into twelve lecture units, each focusing on different themes. Topics include Norway (Ibsen, Nobel Prize winners, the Sámi people, politics, society and culture, traditions and habits), Sweden (variations in Swedish humour), the Netherlands, and Belgium (postcolonial literature, language variations, children's and young adult literature, and animal studies).
Learning outcomes
The student will develop a comprehensive understanding of the key aspects of Scandinavian (Norwegian and Swedish), Dutch and Belgian society, politics, culture, history, and linguistic dynamics as presented in the lectures.
The student will become proficient in analyzing the topics that define each of the countries covered in the course.
The student will acquire the ability to critically evaluate and reflect on the topics discussed.
Syllabus
  • 1.) A. Ficová: Living Norwegianly: Traditions and Habits
  • 2.) A.Ficová: Norway's Cultural Treasures
  • 3.) M. Kostelecká: Language variation in the Netherlands and in Belgium
  • 4.) M. Juříčková: Scandinavian Nobel Prize Laureates. Short overview (Island, Sweden, Denmark, Norway). The Norwegian writers Knut Hamsun and Sigrid Undset and their literary conflict. Poetry by Tomas Tranströmer. The new Ibsen from Norway: Jon Fosse as playwright, poet and prose writer
  • 5.) T. Bratina: Linguistic Diversity in Scandinavia: Languages, Dialects, and Unique Features
  • 6.) V. Horáčková: Thematic Variations in Contemporary Dutch Literature for Children and Youth
  • 7.) A.Jurkovičová: Variations in Swedish samhällshumor
  • 8.) P. Příbáň: Beyond the Northern Lights: The Sámi People of the Arctic
  • 9.) M. Juříčková: Henrik Ibsen's work. Norway in the Western Canon of world literature. Presentation of dramas Peer Gynt and Wild Duck. Later works and their reception in Europe. Concept of Ibsenism
  • 10.) S. Royeaerd: Postcolonial Criticism - the case of Oeroeg
  • 11.) P. Přibáň: From Equality to Prosperity: The Role of Social Democracy in Norway’s Politics
  • 12.) D. Průšová: Representation of Animals in Dutch Fiction
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Fulsås N, Rem T. Ibsen, Scandinavia and the Making of a World Drama. Cambridge University Press; 2017. ISBN 9781316638293
  • Discovering the Dutchon culture and society of the Netherlands. Edited by Emmeline Besamusca - J. Verheul. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2010, 304 p. ISBN 9789048508273. info
  • The Nordic languages : an international handbook of the history of the North Germanic languages. Edited by Oskar Bandle - Kurt Braunmüller - Ernst Håkon Jahr - Allan Karker -. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2002, 1 online. ISBN 9783110197051. URL info
Teaching methods
lectures and homework, reading
Assessment methods
1.) Written tasks: The student will submit two lecture reports, each with a minimum length of 3 standard pages. Each report will include a personal mini-research project related to the given topic, addressing a question posed by the lecturer at the end of the lecture. At the beginning of the term, the teachers will share a document where you can sign up for two topics for your report.
2.) Attendance: Each student will attend a minimum of 9 lectures
3.) Additional reading materials: students will be able to prove (in their reports) the knowledge of assigned materials
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2026.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/NONISK_01