20
Åbo Akademi University 2014/2015
ARTS
Arts
Art History
The study of Art History at Åbo Akademi University conveys
the basic methodical and theoretical knowledge of the
discipline, as well as abilities in describing and interpreting
images, mainlyworks of art, design, and architecture from the
past until today. Art historians at ÅAU study the significance
of images and buildings in their social, cultural and historical
context but also the works of art as material objects.
Art and Architecture in Finland
5 cr
Lectured course
Basic, intermediate, and advanced levels
Offered: Spring 2015
Lecturer: Pia Wolff-Helminen
Aim & content: Finland obtained independency as late as
1917. Before that, for more than six hundred years, Finland
constituted the eastern part of the kingdomof Sweden. After
years of devastating wars, Finland fell under the rule of the
Russian empire. The rather strained relation with the Russian
power led to the rise of a strong national movement, the goal
of which was eventually reached as one of the consequences
of the Russian revolution. The course provides an overview
of traditions and trends within architecture and visual art in
Finland, examining the influences of Swedish and Russian
rule on the arts and the impact the independency had on the
development of the arts in the young republic.
Learning outcomes: Having finished the course, the student
should be able to give a structured account of main trends,
events and important works in the history of architecture and
visual art in Finland and understand the context in which the
arts took form. The student should also be able to broadly
recognize stylistic differences inworks fromdifferent periods
of time. During the course, the student will develop skills in
critical reading and critical discussion as well as in reading
and analysing pictures.
Teaching methods: Lectures, conducted discussions
Entry requirements: None, except for sufficient knowledge
of English
Target group: Exchange students at Åbo Akademi University
Form of assessment: Thematic group assignments based on
reading and discussion, written examination by the end of
the course
Course literature:
Art in Finland : from the Middle Ages to the present day,
Esbo 2000
Lundström, Marie-Sofie: Travelling in a Palimpsest : Finnish
nineteenth-century painters' encounters with Spanish art and
culture, Helsinki 2008
Fewster, Derek: Visions of past glory : nationalism and the
construction of early Finnish history, Helsinki 2006
Comparative Literature
The study of literature is about books. Their topic, more often
than not, is human beings and being human. To this we add a
load of books about books. Literary students aim to find out
how texts aremade and have beenmade throughout history,
and how they interact with readers and in society. It is quite
an exciting story.
The staff at the Department has weekly office hours when
the students arewelcome to study-counseling (at other times
by appointment). The course literature is available for reading
at the Department.
Introduction to Finland-Swedish literature
103700.1
10 credits
Lectured course
Basic level, no prerequisites
Offered: Spring 2015
Lecturers: FM Freja Rudels and FM Katja Sandqvist
Contact hours: 30
Aim and content: The course focuses on twentieth-century
Finland-Swedish prose and poetry in English translation.
Beginning with the modernists, Edith Södergran, Elmer Dik-
tonius, Gunnar Björling and Hagar Olsson, we also deal with
post-war writers of poetry and prose such as Claes Andersson,
Bo Carpelan, Monika Fagerholm, Tove Jansson, Solveig von
Schoultz, Henrik Tikkanen, Märta Tikkanen and Kjell Westö.
During the course we read poetry and prose from the twenti-
eth century, as well as secondary texts which help us under-
stand and discuss Finland-Swedish literature. We will discuss
themes of the texts as well as their aesthetic features. A great
deal of focus will be put on the students' own impressions
and opinions of the texts. We will put the texts into a Finland-
Swedish context and take on aminority literature perspective,
but will also be discussing how these facts fit into a broader,
international perspective. What is Finland-Swedish literature?
How has the culture in which these texts were written influ-
enced them? Are there patterns or tendencies to be found
among them? What makes them unique? And what do they
bring readers from abroad today?
The sessions will consist of the students' short work presenta-
tions, lectures, and above all discussions of the literary texts.
Each session is 4 hours, except for the two first sessions and
the last, which are 2 hours.
Course outline:
1.
Introduction
2.
About Finland-Swedish Literature
3.
Modernist poetry (Edith Södergran, Elmer Diktonius,
Gunnar Björling)
4.
Brave New Voices (Hagar Olsson, Märta Tikkanen)
5.
In and around the Moominvalley (Tove Jansson)
6.
"Angry YoungMen" -Memoirs andPolitics (Claes Anders-
son, Henrik Tikkanen)
7.
APoetic Point of View (Solveig von Schoultz, BoCarpelan)
8.
A Great Finland-Swedish Novel? (Monika Fagerholm +
video screening)
9.
Final session and Kjell Westö
Form of assessment: Weekly response paper (1 page), one
short oral presentation of a work from the literature list, final
paper.
Learning outcomes:
At the end of this course the student:
-can give an account of some main features of twentieth
century Finland-Swedish literature
-can discuss both thematic and aesthetic features of a selec-
