Course selection for incoming exchange students Spring 2020
We at the department of Languages and Literatures extend a warm welcome to all exchange students!
African Languages
Bachelor's level
AF1110 Swahili, Introductory course - Online course
Credits: 7.5, Pace: 25%, January - June
Learn a fascinating new language and be part of a wider world!
Swahili is a widely used language used daily by between 50 and 100 million people in East Africa and the rest of the world. The language is an outstanding example of Africa's linguistic diversity. It belongs to the Bantu language family, but has a variety of words from Arabic and other languages borrowed during hundreds of years of contact. Swahili is spoken in some of the world's fastest growing economies and thus increases in importance in the world.
The course is aimed at those who want to learn a language that is constantly gaining in importance and who are curious about the language situation in East Africa.
The course is worth 7.5 points and extends over the whole spring term. Your teacher is from Tanzania, and the course is given in English.
Master's level
AF2206, African languages, Historical Linguistics of African languages
Credits: 7.5, Pace: 50%, March - June
The course provides students with an introduction to comparative linguistic methods: ways to classify different types of linguistic variation and change, the effects of language contact, language change and language exchange, and the role of typology and universals play in explaining language change. The focus will be on the importance of these issues for understanding the historical development of African languages, which do not normally benefit from the kind of written documentation that is available for most European languages.
English courses
The Department of Languages and Literatures offers a wide range of courses in English, all of which are also taught in English. We hope you will find a course that suits your own particular needs and interests.
Recommended levels of English proficiency
We use the Common European Framework for language proficiency (CEF) to give you an idea of the minimum and the recommended levels of English proficiency you should have in order to follow our courses. You can read more about the basic six-tier proficiency levels here: European language levels (CEFR)
From that site you can download a pdf document that describes the different levels. It is important that you know beforehand what level of proficiency is required from you, so please register in accordance with your proficiency level to avoid any problems. We offer two levels: an “absolute minimum proficiency level”, which you need to have reached to be able to follow the course. Expect, however, to work hard over the term in order to pass the course if you only have the minimum level. The second level is the “recommended” proficiency level, which you should have reached to follow the course without having to focus too much on improving your language skills.
How to read our System
We have subdivided the comprehensive CEF proficiency levels into an Upper and Lower “half". With the exception of A1, it takes more than a course, in the case of B levels a number of courses and the equivalent time, to master any of the six levels. With C levels even more is required. When we say, for instance, that you must have "B1 Lower", you should have been studying at the B1 level for quite some time and should not just have started a B1 course after completing an A2 course (there is a considerable difference between A and B levels in terms of required knowledge of the language). If that was the case, you would not be able to follow the course. When we require “B2 Upper”, it means that you should fulfil all the requirements in all four domains (as specified in the CEF pdf) and that you are working on the the requirements for B2. Bear in mind that C2 Upper is the equivalent of native proficiency.
Introductory course
- NB: EN1110 is the first course on academic level but requires a profound knowledge of the English language. You are expected to have a proficiency in English that equals a minimum of "B1 - Upper" on the European language proficiency levels (CEF).
- Schedule and reading list (the course portal GUL) will be updated six weeks before the courses starts.
Bachelor's level
Minimum B1 - Upper, Recommended: B2 - Lower, or higher:
EN1110 English for General Purposes, Introductory Level
Credits: 30,
Pace: 100%
EN1110 is a 30-credit course which means full time studies for one semester. You can choose to study separate sub-courses within the course.
Elective sub-courses:
English Literary studies, 7.5 c
English Linguistics, 7.5 c
English Cultural studies, 7.5 c
Academic Writing and Speaking in English, 7.5 c
EN1002 Writing and speaking in English
Credits: 7.5, Pace: 25%
Do you want to improve your language skills and feel more confident communicating in English with speakers of other languages? Do you want to have a deeper understanding of how texts in English work? Do you want to learn how to speak effectively in English? This course may be for you:
English continues to grow as the language for communication across borders in a number of contexts (e.g. academic studies, professional life, leisure activities) . This course supports the development of your communication skills in English (reading, speaking, listening and writing). The course is based on research in second language learning and prepares you for further studies in which English is the language of teaching and examination.
EN1003, Introduction to Academic Studies in English
Credits: 7.5, Pace: 50%, evening (January-March)
The course is based on research in ESP (English for Specific Purposes) and prepares the students for further studies in English as well as for studies in other subjects where teaching and/or examination is in English. The written parts focus on professional English, critical reading and writing, argumentation, linguistic correctness and other stylistic aspects. The spoken parts focus on developing the students’ abilities to communicate clearly and correctly in an academic context. The course takes a hands-on approach.
Minimum B2 - Lower, Recommended: B2 - Upper, or higher:
EN1210, English for General Purposes, Intermediate Level
Credits: 30, Pace: 100%
Elective modules:
English Literary studies, 7.5 c
English Linguistics, 7.5 c
English Cultural studies, 7.5 c
Academic Writing and Speaking in English, 7.5 c
EN1210 is a 30-credit course which means full time studies for one semester. You can also study the sub-courses separately.
Minimum B2 - Upper, Recommended: C1 - Lower, or higher:
EN1310, English, In-depth Course, Literary Specialization
Credits: 15,
Pace: 100% January - March
Elective modules:
Literary Theory and Method and Academic Writing, 7,5 c
Literary Studies, 7,5 c
EN1320, In-Depth course in English, Linguistic Specialization
Credits: 15, Pace: 100% January - March
Elective modules:
Linguistic Theory and Methods and Academic Writing, 7.5 c
English Linguistics, 7.5 c
Master's level
Minimum proficiency C1 - Lower, recommended C1 - Upper, or higher:
EN2222 Variationist Sociolinguistics
Credits: 7.5, 25% online (January-June)
The central part of the course consists of a practical assignment where the student collects his/her own material which is analysed and interpreted. As a background, the historical context of sociolinguistics is studied where William Labov and his innovations from the 1960s are treated as well as Labov's predecessors. Important current theories and methods are studied, as well as the importance of variationist sociolinguistics to different empirical methods in linguistics, and its strengths and weaknesses.
EN2N01 Academic Writing
Credits: 7.5, Pace: 50% (January - March)
This course is intended for students at the advanced level (Magister and Master level). The course participants should preferably be in their writing phase. The course is not a language proficiency course but proceeds from the assumption that the participants have a good command of English.
French courses
Bachelor's level
FR1111, French, Introductory course (B1-B2 level)
Credits: 30
Elective modules:
French Grammar, 5 c – requirement: Swedish
Linguistics Seminars, 2.5 c – requirement: Swedish
French Literature: Text and other Media – Text 1, 4 c – Text 2, 3.5 c
French Cultural Studies, 7.5 c
Phonetics, 2 c – requirement: Swedish
Pronunciation, 1 c
Oral Communication, 5.5 c
FR1200, French, Intermediate Course (B2-C1 level)
Credits: 30, Online course
Elective modules:
Grammar, Vocabulary and Translation, 7.5 c - requirement: Swedish
Academic Presentation, 7.5 c
19th and 20th Century Fiction and Literary Analysis, 7.5 c
Linguistics, 7.5 c
FR1303, French, In-depth Course (C1 level)
Credits: 15
Elective modules:
Old French Literature, 5 c
Translation and Contrastive Analysis, 2 c - requirement: Swedish
Linguistics: Methods and Applications, 4 c
Literary Theory and Method, 4 c
Master's level
FR2500, French, Second cycle, Dissertation, Linguistic option
Credits: 15, Level: C2
FR2501, French, Second cycle, Dissertation, Linguistic option
Credits: 30, Level: C2
FR2502, French, Second cycle, Dissertation, Literary option
Credits: 15, Level: C2
FR2503, French, Second cycle, Dissertation, Literary option
Credits: 30, Level C2
FR2504, French, Second cycle, Master, Degree project, Linguistic option
Credits: 15, Level: C2
FR2505, French, Second cycle, Master, Degree project, Literary option
Credits: 15, Level: C2
German courses
Bachelor's level
Schedule and reading list (the course portal GUL) will be updated six weeks before the courses starts.
TY1110, German, Introductory course (B1-B2 level)
Credits: 30
Elective modules:
German Language: The Structure of Modern German, 7.5 c – Level B2, Basic knowledge in Swedish requiredLanguage Use: Modern Spoken an Written German 7,5, c – Level B2
Cultural Studies: German Speaking Cultures after 1945, 7,5 c – Level B2
Literature Studies: People and Narrative, 7,5 c – Level B2
TY1210, German, Intermediate Course (B2-C1 level)
Credits: 30
Elective modules:
German Language: Language Variety and Language Development, 7,5 c – Level B2/C1
Language use: Modern Spoken and Written German 2, 7,5 c – Level B2/C1
Cultural Studies: Sustainable Cultures, 7.5 c – Level B2/C1
Literature Studies: Narrative and Subjectivism, 7.5 c – Level B2/C1
TY1310, German, In-depth Course (C1 level)
Credits: 30
Elective modules:
Linguistics, 7.5 c
Literary Studies, 7.5 c
Essay/Hausarbeit, 15 c
Master's level
TY2110, German: German Literary- and Cultural Theory in a European Context
Credits: 7.5, 25% January-June
The course gives an insight into German-speaking literature and cultural theoretical issues and how these relate to a European context.
TY2121 German Post-War Literature I
Credits: 7.5, 25% January-June
The course treats the history of German literature from 1945 to the present day. Different literary movements and perspectives are highlighted, for example early post- war literature, literary politicization, new subjectivity, post-modernism, Wende literature, migration literature. These are illustrated through studies of different canonized literary works.
Japanese courses
Bachelor's level
JP1301: Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
Credits: 7.5, Pace: 25%
This course introduces a wide range of topics in Japanese linguistics. The objectives of this course include: (a) to familiarize the students with basic notions and terminology used in Japanese linguistics; (b) to familiarize the students with major issues in different areas of Japanese linguistics; and (c) to give the students experience in the linguistic analysis of Japanese.
It will cover the basics of Japanese syntax, morphology, semantics, phonetics, and sociolinguistics. Various reading assignments and data analysis assignments will be given. Conducted in English.
Prerequisite: 60 credits in Japanese
Schedule and reading list (the course portal GUL). Note that the schedules are only preliminary. Final version updated in the middle of August.
JP1801: Japanese Teaching Practice I
Credits: 7.5, 50 % January-March or March-June
The purpose of this course is to offer Japanese teaching practice to the students who have studied a language subject including ‘teaching Japanese as a foreign language’ but have little or no previous teaching experience. It is intended for students who seek a career in teaching Japanese to speakers of other languages.
The course focuses on practical aspects of teaching Japanese as a foreign language. Students will attend the supervisor’s courses, make teaching plans and drills and carry out teaching practice with both beginners and intermediate students. The total hours of teaching varies between four and eight hours per term.
Those who speak Japanese as a foreign language are required to submit an official score of Japanese Language proficiency test grade 1.
JP1802: Japanese Teaching Practice II
Credits: 7.5, 50 % January-March or March-June
The purpose of this course is to offer further Japanese teaching practice to the students who have studied a language subject including ‘teaching Japanese as a foreign language’, but have little previous teaching experience. It is intended for the students who seek a career in teaching Japanese to speakers of other languages.
The course focuses on practical aspects of teaching Japanese as a foreign language. Students will attend the supervisor’s courses, make teaching plans and drills and carry out teaching practice with both beginners and intermediate students. The total hours of teaching vary between six and ten hours per semester.
To be eligible for this course, students need to have finished the course JP1801, Japanese Teaching Practice 1, 7.5 higher education credits, or an equivalent course.
Those who speak Japanese as a foreign language are required to submit an official score of Japanese Language proficiency test grade 1.
Spanish courses
Bachelor's level
B1 - B2
SP1103 Spanish: Introductory Course
Credits: 30
Elective modules:
Grammar in Theory and Practice, 7.5 c
Oral and Writing Proficiency, 5 c
Spanish Literature 15 c
SP1105, Spanish, Oral Proficiency, Introductory Course
Credits: 7,5, 25 % January-June
SP1107, Spanish, Written Proficiency, Introductory Course
Credits: 7,5, 25 % January-June, online
B2 - C1
SP1210 Spanish, intermediate Course
Credits: 30, pace 100%
Elective modules:
Spanish Grammar, 7.5 c
Academic writing, 7.5 c
Spanish Linguistics and Language History, 7.5 c
Spanish and Latin American Literature, 7.5 c
Courses taught in English
Bachelor's level
SPL133 Thinking translation: Translation theory from a literary and cultural perspective
Credits: 7.5, pace: 50%, (January-March)
This course is an introduction to the study of translation. It is organized around a number of major themes, movements and events with the aim to establish various reference points for an understanding of translation: history of translation and translation in Sweden, power and gender, religion and popular culture. The course draws on different theories with their own approaches to thinking about translation, for example sociology and cultural studies, postcolonial studies, polysystem theory and manipulation school. It is designed for students who are interested in the real nature of translation and the many phases of the translator’s task. While it is essential for students of literary translation, literatures and culture, it provides a valuable foundation of general knowledge for all students.
SPL134, Gender in Literature: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
Credits: 7.5, pace: 25% (January-June)
In the course we investigate how literature has dealt with issues linked to gender by reading and analysing texts from different language areas and different periods of history. Focusing on geographical, linguistic and cultural aspects we study how gender has influenced literary creativity and how individuals of different genders have been depicted in literature. The course covers important questions, such as: Are sex and gender forms of identity that are expressed in literature, or something that we create when we write, read and interpret texts? Furthermore, is literature able to help us think beyond the binary system of gender? The texts which are dealt with in the course are written in different languages but are also available in English translations so that everyone can read and discuss them.
KI1130, Cinema and Visual Culture in East Asia
Credits: 7.5, pace: 25% evening, January-June
Present-day visual culture, for example film, visual art and the internet, reflects and translates the complex relation between culture, tradition, economics and global flows. The aim of this course is to help students acquire a better understanding of visual culture as a way to translate such complex networks in East Asia, mainly in China, Japan and South Korea.
The focus is mainly on film and audio-visual works (digital culture, documentaries, etc) as a way to better understand the current cultural flow in East Asia and in its relationship to the global situation but also to see visual culture in various ways from a social sustainability perspective.
Master's level
SPL290 Literature and Aesthetics at the Turn of the Twentieth Century
Credits: 7.5, pace: 25%, evening (January-June)
The course gives an insight into the period around the year 1900 with regard to literary and other aesthetic manifestations that characterize this turn of the century (fin de siècle) with a focus on geographic and linguistic variation. The course discusses the central debates and issues of the period (for example the advance of modernity, the role of science in society, women's liberation) and how these are expressed mainly in fiction but also in other cultural manifestations. Through its transnational and transcultural perspective, the course offers possibilities to reflect on how aesthetic ideas travel as well as how they are expressed through literary or artistic form. Another aspect that is examined is the role that the city and nature play in the aesthetic processes.
Courses taught in Swedish
Kurser på svenska
Grundnivå / Bachelor's level
SPL162 Svenska i kontrast II: Muntlig och skriftlig språkfärdighet, 7,5 högskolepoäng
Swedish in Contrast II: Oral and written proficiency, 7.5 credits
Kursens huvudsakliga syfte är att ge studenten möjlighet att utveckla sin förmåga att uttrycka sig på idiomatisk svenska i tal och skrift. Genom olika övningar i muntlig språkfärdighet, uttal, hörförståelse och skrivandet av sammanhängande texter tränas studenten i att tillämpa sina kunskaper om svenskans språk- och ljudstruktur i varierande kommunikationssituationer. I syfte att främja ett funktionellt språkbruk, arbetar kursen med att medvetandegöra språkliga normer och språklig variation i svenskan i förhållande till några andra språk i Europa (engelska, franska, tyska).