Scandinavian 697M - ST-Making/Multicultural Sweden

This course coordinates with SCANDIN 397M with expectation of class attendance and grad-level research and writing. It will explore the present political, societal and cultural situation in Sweden by highlighting current and previous phases of immigration and debates surrounding them - i.e., the relationship between the 20th century's generous Swedish welfare model and immigration to Sweden. Literary works, films and public debates in various media will illuminate different phases of immigration and their impact on Swedish society, up to the present-day refugee crisis, with its rapid changes in the government?s immigration policy, heated public debates, and growing political polarization. In addition, an overview of the dynamics between issues of immigration and the role of linguistic and cultural minorities in Sweden (the Sami, the Romani, the Finns, the Tornedalians, and the Jews), as well as their struggles for political and societal recognition, will be provided.

Required for this course is a separate weekend symposium in late March, SCANDIN 396M, "Managing Multicultural Scandinavia."