Course Objectives

The course will discuss how the Nordic kingdoms and peoples through various historical periods have realised Nordic cooperation in the political sphere, or wished to achieve this, and which social and political forces and ideals, within and outside the Nordic region, over the centuries, have encouraged or hindered development towards this goal.

Course Description

The course has three main points of focus related to the various historical periods. The first takes as its starting point the nobility alliance and dynastic policy which led to the Scandinavian kingdoms joining into a union in the Late Middle Ages. The reasons why this three-kingdom union did not endure will also be discussed. The second point of focus relates to Scandinavianism in the nineteenth century. This was a cultural movement which also expressed political goals. The high ideals were never realised, but the movement nevertheless clearly left its mark. The third point of focus concerns the Nordic collaboration, both the more limited functional cooperation which was gradually developed towards the end of the nineteenth century, and the large projects, for instance, a Scandinavian defence alliance and a Nordic customs union, which, despite efforts to implement it, failed after 1945.

Learning Methods

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment Methods

In one of the specialisation courses which are taught (not Overview of Nordic History), drawn by lot, a home examination (2 weeks) and an oral test will be given in the last part of the semester. The home examination will be given by the subject teacher(s) and will be closely related to the teaching. In addition to the course syllabus texts, other relevant literature (e.g. an article) and/or historical sources may also be used. In the other course(s), in which there is no home examination, a 6-hour internal examination will be given. If only one course is taught, students will have one two week’s home examination plus an oral examination.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean