Introduction to the Major
Students in the Scandinavian major select one of the following five concentrations: Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Old Norse Studies, and Swedish. Each concentration allows students to explore the major while developing expertise within the language and literature of a Nordic language. Students receive further training in their major language skills by pursuing reading in original Scandinavian languages and through special add-on major units that allow students to work closely with a professor in their major language area.
Interdisciplinary Options
The Scandinavian department helps students pursue interdisciplinary interests through its own core courses and through double majors(link is external) with other fields, such as environmental studies, history, drama, medieval literature, folklore, architecture, public policy, linguistics, international studies, peace studies, political science, film, and economics.
If you already have an intended major, consider adding Scandinavian as minor(link is external). It is not necessary to study a Scandinavian language for the minor; all upper division courses are taught in English with texts in translation and are easily accessible to students with general interests in Scandinavian culture.
Amplify Your Major
- Immerse yourself in Scandinavian language and culture through study abroad(link is external)
- Apply for a FLAS award(link is external) to fund your language study.
- Visit the Nordic Studies Program(link is external) to find resources and events to complement your coursework.
- Check out the robust collections and scholarly resources of Scandinavian Studies at the Doe Library(link is external) and the department library(link is external).
Jobs and Employers
- Assoc. Corporate Counsel, Google
- Data Control Operations, Stanford
- Independent Norwegian Language Translator
- Photographer, Iceland Magazine
- Teacher, Hayward High School
Graduate Programs
- Bioarchaeology, MSc
- Cognition and Communication, MA
- English, PhD
- Law, JD
- Linguistics, PhD
- Medieval Icelandic Studies, Masters
- Scandinavian Studies, Masters
- Urban and Regional Planning, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey(link is external) of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House(link is external) in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation(link is external) program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit scandinavian.berkeley.edu(link is external) for news and updates.
Advising
Students can drop in to 6303A Dwinelle Hall to speak with an advisor or email issaug@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
