COMP 16
Introduction to Swedish Language and Culture Winter 2025

Välkomna & Welcome! Intended for beginners (with no or little previous study of Swedish), this is an introductory course in Swedish studies, with a focus on Swedish language, culture, literature, and film. Through daily practice, class activities, interactive discussion, listening exercises, written work, and active engagement with music, texts, and film, you will quickly build the foundation for speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Swedish. In addition, we will read, watch, and discuss several fascinating texts and films, as a dynamic introduction to Swedish literature and cinema, and to both the history and culture of Sweden and Swedish-speaking communities in Scandinavia and beyond. Literature and film to include works by August Strindberg, Hjalmar Söderberg, Selma Lagerlöf, Edith Södergran, Astrid Lindgren, Tove Jansson, Reidar Jönsson, Ingmar Bergman, Lasse Hallström, and Lukas Moodysson.