The Geography of Sweden, 7.5 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

Knowledge and Understanding
Upon completion of the course, the student shows knowledge and understanding of

• basic knowledge about geographical differences in Sweden in relation to population development,
• basic knowledge about regional economic development in Sweden, and
• basic knowledge about the Swedish planning system and regional policy.

Skills and Abilities
After completion of the course the student shows skills and ability to

• identify and analyze geographical differences, and
• present a geographical problem in a written assignment and orally.

Judgement and Approach
After completion of the course the student shows ability to

• recognize and evaluate geographical differences in Sweden compared to the student's native country.

Main content of the course

The course enables students to develop a basic understanding of the development of historical, social, economic and demographic features of swedish society from a geographical perspective. The course covers contemporary issues in population change, mobility and migration, housing segregation, regional development and industrial restructuring, and planning in a Swedish context.

Teaching methods

Teaching may be conducted in the form of problem-based learning (PBL) based on real cases, partly through lectures and seminars.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Examination, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
Written assignment and compulsory component in the form of participation in seminars.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

Examination deadline
If the deadline for the examination is exceeded, the examiner will decide how the examination should be conducted and, when applicable, set the timeframe for it.

Supplementary assignments for a passing grade
The examiner may decide that a student who has not received a passing grade for the course may submit supplementary assignments instead of taking a re-examination. Supplementary assignments should be submitted to the lecturer within two weeks after the student is notified of the failing grade.

Absence from compulsory components of the course
Upon absence from compulsory components, the university's general rules for re-examination apply. If there are special reasons to deviate from the time frame, the examiner decides when the compulsory component should be carried out. However, the examiner can decide that a make-up assignment should be given.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Examination
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

Transitional provisions

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Helmfrid, Staffan, Syrén, Märta, Arnberg, Ulla, Elg, Margareta (Eds.1996) (1996)
The Geography of Sweden
National Atlas of Sweden. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International.

Hermelin, Brita, Jansson, Ulf. (Eds. 2010) (2010)
Placing Human Geography. Sweden through Time and Space
Ymer 2010. Stockholm: Svenska Sällskapet för Antropologi och Geografi.

NORDREGIO Policy Brief 2016:2
Can planning combat segregation and strengthen social sustainability?

NORDREGIO Working paper authored by Tunström, Moa, Anderson, Timothy & Perjo, Liisa 2016:3
Segregated cities and planning for social sustainability - a Nordic perspective

Additions and Comments
Further literature in the amount och approximately 200 pages on contemporary geographical issues and problem will be added.