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 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. 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
- Apply for a FLAS award to fund your language study.
- Visit the Nordic Studies Program to find resources and events to complement your coursework.
- Check out the robust collections and scholarly resources of Scandinavian Studies at the Doe Library and the department library.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Review major and college requirements.
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Enroll in L&S 1 and an Arts & Humanities Gateway Course
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Review the major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
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Explore the Berkeley Language Center.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course
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Explore the collection of Scandinavian scholarly resources in the department library and Doe Library.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options in Scandinavia with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail
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Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete the prerequisite lower division requirement in Scandinavian mythology and literature.
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Select a concentration and meet with the advisor to declare the major
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Begin working on the lower division language requirement for your concentration.
Connect and Build Community
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Sign up for the Scandinavian email list and start attending department events.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
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Explore resources from the Nordic Studies Program.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
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Assist faculty in research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Find Scandinavian events in the Bay Area through the Nordic Counsels General
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Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
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Planning to study abroad in Scandinavia? Apply for the Lundberg Travel Grant.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator
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Shadow alumni during the Cal Job Shadow Program.
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Focus on upper division coursework in language, reading, culture, and electives for your concentration.
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor
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Ask your major advisor about the Scandinavian honors program.
Connect and Build Community
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Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader
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Work with peers and graduate students in HUM 196: Mentored Research and Discovery Groups
Discover Your Passions
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Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
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Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
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Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Learn about career fields and conduct informational interviews
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Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
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Check out career resources from the department.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses.
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Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements
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Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
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Practice your language skills while helping others learn in the SLC Language Exchange Program
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Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program
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Explore service opportunities after graduation such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State
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Pursue post-grad projects with support from the American-Scandinavian Foundation.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
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 of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit scandinavian.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can drop in to 6303A Dwinelle Hall to speak with an advisor or email issaug@berkeley.edu
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.
