23
Åbo Akademi University 2014/2015
ÅBO CAMPUS
Prerequisites: Basic studies in comparative religion completed
or comparable earlier studies
Literature: In consultation with examiner
Cultural encounters and interreligious dialogue
117706.2
5 credits
Intermediate level
Self-study course
Contact: Peter Nynäs
Aim: to provide relevant theoretical perspectives on intercul-
tural encounters, interreligious dialogue and related conflicts
from a humanistic perspective.
Literature: In consultation with examiner
Religious education
117705.2
5 credits
Intermediate level
Self-study course
Contact: Måns Broo
Aim: to provide relevant theoretical perspectives and knowl-
edge on school religious education and multiculturalism, for
example on factors influencing religious education in general,
various traditions and practices etc.
Prerequisites: basic studies in comparative religion completed
or comparable earlier studies
Literature: In consultation with examiner
History
A number of self-study courses are offered in addition to
courses lectured in English. As self-study courses require the
ability to work independently they are recommended to 3rd
-4th year students.
Nordic History
110090.0
5 credits
Basic level
Lectured course
Offered: Autumn 2014 (Period 2)
Lecturer: Mats Wickström (
)
Aim: During the course students will study the political, social
and cultural history of "Norden" as a distinct European region,
from the Viking Age to the 1990's. The purpose of the course
is to reach an understanding of how history is reflected in
contemporary Nordic society and to analyze the historical
background of a common Nordic mentality. The lectures fo-
cus on identifying similarities as well as differences between
Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland - in history
and today.
Contents: The course gives on overviewof the central turning-
points in the history of the Nordic region, e.g. the Viking
expansion, Christianization, the Kalmar Union, the Reforma-
tion, the Swedish Great Power Era, the consequences of the
Napoleonic Wars, nation-building in the 19th century, the
making of the Nordic welfare state and the Nordic countries
in and after the Second World War.
Learning outcomes: Students will be able to study and de-
scribe the central turning-points in the history of the Nordic
region. Students will be able to study and recognize the
similarities as well as differences between Finland, Sweden,
Norway, Denmark and Iceland in the past and in the present.
Students will be able to identify the historical backgrounds of
a common Nordic mentality and comprehend how historical
developments are reflected in contemporary Nordic society.
Teaching methods: Lectures.
Entry requirements: None.
Target group: Everyone.
Form of assessment: Home exam.
Course literature:
Gustafsson, Harald, 'A state that failed? On the Union of Kal-
mar, Especially its Dissolution'. Scandinavian Journal of History
2006:3-4, pp. 205-220.
Helle, Knut (ed.), The Cambridge History of Scandinavia.
Volume I: Prehistory to 1520 (Cambridge 2003), pp. 105-159.
Nordstrom, Byron J., Scandinavia since 1500 (Minneapolis
2000), pp. 19-357.
History of the Nordic Welfare States
111553.4
5 credits
Advanced level
Lectured course
Offered: Spring 2015 (Period 3)
Lecturers: MA Mats Wickström, MA Hanna Lindberg & MA
Matias Kaihovirta
Contact: Mats Wickström
)
Aim and contents: This course gives a general introduction
to the modern history of the Nordic welfare states with an
emphasis on inclusionary and exclusionary political struggles
and policies related to workers, immigrants, farmers, minor-
ity members, women and men. The course will explore the
changing dynamics and limits of Nordic democracy and the
Nordic model of Welfare throughout the 20th century. The
aim of the course is to present the formation and construc-
tion of the modern Nordic societies and the Nordic model(s)
in the age of modernization andmigration. Focusing on how
different groups have been constructed, subordinated, mo-
bilized and sometimes emancipated in relation to ethnicity,
class and gender, the course will develop an intersectional
understanding of Nordic 20th century history.
Form of assessment: Students will complete an essay on a
theme in connection to the course. The essays can be con-
nected to an area of special interest for the student, or chosen
from topics prepared by the lecturers.
Learning outcomes: Students will be able to critically discuss
some of the central themes from the perspective of gender,
class and ethnicity. Students will be able to discuss under-
standings of Nordic 20th century history froman intersectional
perspective
Teaching methods: Lectures.
Entry requirements: Advanced course for students in his-
tory and/or the social sciences, optional for others with the
required pre-knowledge or strong interest in Nordic welfare.
Target group: Year 3 or 4.
Course literature:
Mary Hilson, The NordicModel. Scandinavia since 1945, Reak-
tion: London 2008.
The Nordic Model of Welfare. A Historical Reappraisal, eds.
Niels FinnChristiansen, Klaus Petersen, Nils Edling&Per Haave,
Copenhagen 2006.
Eugenics and the Welfare State. Sterilization Policy in Den-
mark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, eds. Gunnar Broberg &
Nils Roll-Hansen, Michigan StateUniversity Press: East Lansing
1996/2005.
Jenny Andersson, Mary Hilson, 'Images of Sweden and the
Nordic Countries', Scandinavian Journal of History Vol. 34,
Iss. 3, 2009.
Brochmann, Grete &Hagelund, Anniken (ed.) (2012). Immigra-
tion Policy and the Scandinavian Welfare State 1945-2010.
