The Geography of Sweden, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

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

• basic knowledge about geographical differences in Sweden,
• basic knowledge about regional differences and structure in Sweden, and
• basic knowledge about the Swedish planning system and Swedish landscapes.

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.

Content

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.

Examinations and grades

Examination, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

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 determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

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

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

Modes of assessment

Examination, 7,5 högskolepoäng (Provkod: A001)
Written assignment and compulsory component in the form of participation in seminars.

Comments on modes of assessment
Examination deadline
An examination shall be carried out at the time decided by the university. If an examination, which involves that the student can do the assignment in another place than in the university's premises (for example take-home examination), can not be submitted on time, the examiner decides how the examination shall be handled.

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.

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

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements for university studies.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

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.

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 learning resources

Costs may occure related to certain teaching moments such as expenses during excursion.

Required Reading

Agius, C., & Edenborg, E. (2019)
Gendered bordering practices in Swedish and Russian foreign and security policy
Political Geography, 71, 56–66
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2019.02.012

Buttimer, A., & Mels, T. (2017)
By Northern Lights: On the Making of Geography in Sweden
Routledge https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315261065
Chapters 1(From Vasa Empire to Patriot Nation) & 2 (Modernity and Modern Welfare State)

Carson, D.B., Argent, N. (2020)
Who Lives in the Inland North? Dynamic, Diverse, Fragile,
Robust. In: Lundmark, L., Carson, D.B., Eimermann, M. (eds) Dipping in to the North
Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore
https://doi-org.db.ub.oru.se/10.1007/978-981-15-6623-3_

Green, C., Singleton, B.E., Gaini, F. (2020)
Tradition Is Essential: Clashing Articulations of Sami Identity, Past and Present. In: Lundmark, L., Carson, D.B., Eimermann, M. (eds) Dipping in to the North
Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore.
https://doi-org.db.ub.oru.se/10.1007/978-981-15-6623-3_9

Hedberg, C., Axelsson, L., & Abella, M. (2019)
Thai berry pickers in Sweden?: A migration corridor to a low-wage sector. Delmi Report 2019:3 (FULLTEXT01.pdf (diva-portal.org)) Chapters 1, 3 and 10

Lagerqvist, Maja. (2013)
'I much rather be still here and travel in time': The intertwinedness of mobility and stillness in cottage living Fennia. 191. 92-105. 10.11143/8287

Lidskog, R., Johansson, J., & Sjödin, D. (2019)
Wildfires, responsibility and trust: Public understanding of Sweden’s largest wildfire. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 34(4), 319–328 https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2019.1598483

Wimark, T., and Östh, J. (2014)
The City as a Single Gay Male Magnet? Gay and Lesbian Geographical Concentration in Sweden, Popul. Space Place, 20; pages 739– 752, doi: 10.1002/psp.1825

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