BA in Scandinavian in Berkeley United States | University of California, Berkeley

The Scandinavian Department provides an undergraduate major with five specialization options: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Old Norse Studies, and Swedish. These specializations enable students to gain in-depth knowledge of one Nordic language while studying the broader field. The flexible electives within each track cover Scandinavian literature and cultural history from medieval times to the present, while core courses focus intensively on the chosen language. Students enhance their language proficiency by reading original Scandinavian texts (when possible) and through specialized major components (Scandinavian 149). These components offer close collaboration with faculty in the student's primary language focus. The Old Norse Studies track additionally permits students fascinated by medieval studies to select relevant electives from other departments to fulfill their major requirements.

The department actively supports interdisciplinary studies through its core curriculum and encourages dual majors with complementary fields. Scandinavia's significant contributions make it particularly relevant to these disciplines: environmental science, historical studies, theater arts, medieval literature, folk traditions, architectural design, public administration, language studies, global affairs, conflict resolution, government studies, cinema, and economic theory.