SCAN 215
From contemporary crime novels and TV thrillers, to vampire stories, to Vikings and trolls, to early twentieth century gothic tales, Scandinavian literatures are full of exciting avenues for scholarly exploration. This survey course focuses (broadly) on the achievements of major Scandinavian writers and filmmakers from 1850 to today. Such a range is, to be sure, very difficult to cover in eight short weeks. And we won’t try to cover all the tributaries and pockets of a vast and rich literary history-let this course spark your interest. As much as it’s possible we will favor the thematic over the chronological. That is, while we will look a literary development as it charted (and continues to chart) a linear trajectory in terms of historically relevant movements and periods, I hope we can also come to some instructive conclusions by looking at the ways particular topics are rendered across genre and form and time. This thematic investigation will be focused on issues of madness, murder, and myth. As such, our reading (and viewing) will investigate a broad range of Scandinavian cultural aspects, historical and contemporary, in order to offer a representative sample of Scandinavian literature. Undoubtedly, these methods will uncover new and exciting thematic frameworks, and I encourage you all to pursue these as they develop. Above all, this course will treat the study of literature as a dynamic activity. And I expect each of you to be committed to this idea.

All texts assigned will be in English, and any previous knowledge of Scandinavian culture or languages is not expected. Significant emphasis will be placed on acquiring and practicing skills of critical, close reading as well as on the development of good academic writing. This course satisfies the General Education requirement for a Literature and the Arts course.

Questions should be directed to Germanic@illinois.edu

The Department of Political Science is pleased to offer a course entitled, PS 199: The EU in Trade Relations (CRN: 38129).  This course examines the significance of the European Union in International Trade Relations. It does so by exploring the EU’s multilateral, and bilateral trade relations, and by assessing the internal constraints under which the EU sets policies on these issues, with particular attention for the interplay among different EU institutions when the EU negotiates international trade agreements. The course not only provides an insight into the ways in which the EU’s multi-level political system operates, but also a rich overview of the ways in which the EU uses its most potential asset – trade – in its relations with the rest of the world.  The class will be taught by Professor Bart Kerremans of KU Leuvan in Belgium http://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/en/person/00016604  The class meets April 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, and 29 from 6-7:50 p.m. (1 credit hour).

Special arrangements for advanced credit may be made for qualified advanced undergraduates or graduate students wishing to complete a substantial paper.   Questions? Contact Joe Hinchliffe, jjhinch@illinois.edu 217-333-7491