Final Syllabus

Scandinavian Crime Fiction European Humanities 3-credit course Semester: Spring 2017 Time: Mondays & Thursdays 10.05-11.25 Film/TV Series Showings (see syllabus for which days) Instructor: Anna Cavallin Related Disciplines: Literature

Instructor: Anna Cavallin B.A. (Comparative Literature and French Literature, University). M.A. (Comparative Literature, Stockholm University). Planned PhD on in the late 19th century: gender, consumption and power in 2017 (Department of Literature, Stockholm University). Current instructor at the Department of Gender Studies, Stockholm University. Taught courses on Swedish Crime fiction and Swedish culture, , and gender studies with a special Swedish focus at The Swedish Program, a Study Abroad Program located in Stockholm, for more than eight years. Fields of research include a special focus on literary analysis contextualizing gender perspective.

E-mail: [email protected] Cell Phone: +46 702318010 Office Hours: by appointment

DIS Contacts: Jakob Lorentzen, [email protected] ; Mark Peters [email protected]

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Course Description: In Scandinavian crime fiction, the most fantastic murders take place, families fall apart, their dark secrets are exposed, and the validity of the Scandinavian countries’ welfare system is being questioned – all of this described in a distinctly Scandinavian tone and style.

Is this why Scandinavian crime fiction is so popular? What is it with the terse language, the Nordic landscape, and the protagonists as anti-heroes, feminists or outsiders that make these crime novels so appealing?

Course Format: The course will consist of close readings, discussion, and written analysis of five Scandinavian crime novels. We will view movies based on crime fiction novels as well as see examples of popular Scandinavian TV crime series.

Class meetings will be, for the most part, divided into two sections. The first part of each class will be of lecture format where keywords and concepts are introduced. During the second part, we will discuss and analyze the novel assigned for the day (and when relevant chapters of the textbooks assigned) relating it/them to the themes of the course.

We will be reading five crime fiction novels representing at least three different Scandinavian/Nordic countries. There will be introductions to the genre of crime fiction, to aspects of sub-genres and/or genre-hybrids, to the Scandinavian countries and the concept of the Welfare State as well as the themes of Scandinavian crime fiction (social identity and social realism, gender, nature, the environment, etc.). As a class, we will read Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Yrsa Sigurdardottir’s “My Soul to Take,” John Ajvide Lindqvist’s “Let the Right One In,” and Sissel-Jo Gazans ”The Dinosaur Feather.” Additionally, students will be asked to choose another Scandinavian crime fiction novel of their own choice (from the DIS Library). There will be theoretical readings to enhance our understanding of the genre.

Learning Objectives: This course aims at increasing students’ abilities to think and work analytically. This includes developing the ability to read and analyze literary and non-literary texts, to voice criticism through coherent argumentation, to reason by analogy, to pose interesting questions and to communicate in written and oral form.

In this course, students will become more perceptive readers of crime fiction and criticism. Students will explore concepts such as national identity, the environment, gender, etc. in the context of modern Scandinavian crime fiction.

At the end of the course, students will be able to: • Identify and distinguish themes, genres, styles and influences in Scandinavian crime fiction • Acquire a vocabulary for analysis of crime fiction and Scandinavian crime fiction in particular, including literary as well as cultural terms

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

• Gain an understanding of Scandinavian society today as mirrored in crime fiction • Develop critical skills: to think analytically, to voice criticism through argumentation • Improve writing skills

Expectations of the student: I expect you to have done the reading for each class and to come with notes and questions for discussions. You should refer to the texts and readings, whenever possible, to support your queries and ideas. I expect students to be engaged as much as possible. You can’t be engaged if you haven’t read the novels/articles.

Approach to Teaching I am enthusiastic about crime fiction and I bring this enthusiasm to class. Even though there will be some lecturing to give you background information, I hope that we can explore the realm of Scandinavian crime fiction together. I want to learn from you, too, and I hope you will bring your concepts into the discussions and ask questions. I hope to create a good atmosphere where students feel comfortable about contributing and discussing openly, respecting each other’s point of view.

Practical Matters/Classroom Policies: Students are expected to be on time to class. If students miss multiple classes, it will affect their engagement grade. Allowances, of course, will be made in case of illness, but missing too many classes without cause may result in the student being referred to Director of Teaching & Learning and/or Director of Student Affairs.

Laptops may be used for note-taking. Please wait until the break or time before and after class to check email, Facebook, and check and send text messages. If surfing the internet or text messaging becomes a problem, laptops and cell phones will be banned from the classroom.

No eating in the classroom. Students are, of course, allowed to bring water, coffee or tea but eating of meals during class is not allowed. Students may consume lunch or a snack at the break. Bathroom visits should also be limited to before or after class – or during the break.

Disability and Resource Statement Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should immediately contact Mark Peters ([email protected]) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations.

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Evaluation: In order to receive a passing grade, you must complete all the assignments. • Engagement 15% • Short Answer Test 15% • Short Analysis I 20% • Short Analysis II 20% • Final Paper 30%

Engagement is your responsibility. You should consider how often you join in class discussion, make comments or ask questions. How many absences do you have over the course of the semester? Do you complete all the assigned readings on time? If you expect an “A” for the engagement grade, you should be making comments and asking questions in almost every class.

A short answer test on will cover the articles and books we have read during the first half of the semester, the keywords we have learned and class lectures.

For the written assignments, I will provide you with guidelines as to what I expect, what is required, and what is rewarded (see below). You don’t have to be an English major to write well. As long as you write clearly, support your ideas and thesis from the text(s) and/or reference material you will do well. If you don’t understand what is expected, please ask.

Description of Assignments & Due Dates Written assignments should have a title, be double-spaced, 12 font with approximately 300 words per page. Students may refer to “The MLA Handbook” or a writing manual from their home universities. Just be consistent when using citations, footnoting, etc. Please e- mail me the final version of the written assignments before class on the due dates.

Short Analysis I: Due Monday, Feb 20 Students will write a short analysis on a topic or theme we have discussed. The analysis should be 3 to 4 pages in length, 12 font and approximately 300 words per page with one inch margins. Remember to give your analysis a title! You pick an issue or theme that interests you and pursue it. You can also write on “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”– but be sure you have a thesis. Please do not give a plot summary! You do NOT have to use outside sources for this paper.

Your analysis should include the following: 1. Introduction: presentation of the topic to be investigated and a brief overview of what you will be doing in your paper (i.e. exploring a specific theme or using of specific theory for example the “10 Commandments” or exploring one of the keywords in relation to the novel(s). 2. Analysis: comments, discussions, comparisons 3. Summary & conclusion

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Short Answer Test: In class, Thursday, March 9 The test will cover the articles and books we have read during the first half of the semester, the keywords we have learned, and class lectures. The test will consist of multiple choice questions (of keywords, concepts, terminology relevant to crime fiction and Scandinavian crime fiction); short answer questions to be answered in bullet points and one essay question (you will be given several questions to choose from).

Short Analysis II Your Own Crime Fiction Novel: Due Thursday, April 20 Students will write a short analysis on the Scandinavian Crime Fiction novel of their choice (choice made in class Monday, September 26). The analysis should be 3 to 4 pages in length, 12 font and approximately 300 words per page with one inch margins. See details above.

Final Paper: Due Thursday, May 4

For this paper, you may choose to do one of the following:

• An academic paper (7-8 pages) on a theme of your choice (for example, applying one of the keywords/concepts to novel(s) we have read; using one or two of the 10 Commandments of Scandinavian crime fiction – exploring the murderer as a victim; the impact of the Social Welfare State; portrayal of female detectives; gender- roles/feminism; use of crime fiction formula, etc.). Other suggestions for paper topics will be provided. Follow the outline above. Your paper MUST have a title! 300 words per page, one inch margins, 12 font. One outside source. • A re-writing of Analysis I or II, expanding on the original topic, taking into account comments given on the original paper. Must be 8-9 pages in length. If you choose this option, you can extend your original paper by revising your thesis, broadening your comparisons and further qualifying your arguments by using one outside source.

For both options, follow the outline under the Short Analysis I but be sure to list your sources in either a separate bibliography or in footnotes.

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Field Studies Wednesday, February 22nd, 08:30-12:30 Millennium Tour in Stockholm. We will have a guided tour on some of the most important locations in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”.

Wednesday, April 19th, 13:00-17.00 Movie Screening: “Män som hatar kvinnor” (2008, 2h 26 min, the ‘Swedish’ film version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” with English subtitles) After the film, you will meet our Guest Lecturer, who will talk about the film and discuss it with you. Guest Lecturer: Dr. Mariah Larsson, Film Scholar from Linnaeus University, Sweden talks about “Vigilante ethics and queer feminism in the Millennium series”

Please note: There can be some changes to the following lesson plan due to different arrangements and unforeseen problems with availability of texts/DVD’s/movies used for this course. I will inform you of changes.

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Thu. Jan. 19 Introduction to the course: What is crime fiction? Brief history of the genre of crime fiction; brief overview Scandinavian crime fiction and its popularity; crime fiction terminology Keywords: genre, setting, whodunit, hardboiled Readings: From “The Crime Fiction Handbook” by Messent: “Introduction” pp. 3-8, and “The Types of Crime Fiction,” pp. 27-50 (up until the first paragraph on page 50 – You don’t have to read “Transgressor Narratives”) Please bring “The Crime Fiction Handbook” to class

Mon. Jan. 23 Introduction to crime fiction continued: The Golden Ages of crime fiction; different types of crime fiction; what is Nordic Noir? Keywords: The Welfare State, Social Democracy, police procedural, social criticism, Nordic Noir Readings: From “Scandinavian Crime Fiction,” edited by Nestingen & Arvas: “Introduction: Contemporary Scandinavian Crime Fiction,” by Nestingen & Arvas: pp. 1-17; From “Swedish Crime Fiction,” by Bergman: “The Police Procedural,” pp. 33-50 Please bring “Scandinavian Crime Fiction” and “Swedish Crime Fiction” to class

Thu. Jan. 26 Sweden: Introduction to Sweden and Swedish crime fiction – Ikea, Volvo and Stieg Larsson Keywords: Sweden, Swedish crime fiction/crime fiction in Sweden Readings: Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” pp. 1-172; From “Swedish Crime Fiction” by Bergman: “A History of Swedish Crime Fiction,” pp. 13-32

Mon. Jan. 30 Sweden: Stieg Larsson’s Recipe for Success Keywords: Genre, Characters, Corruption, Violence Readings: Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” pp. 173- 342; From “Swedish Crime Fiction” by Bergman: “The International Success Story,” pp. 121-136

Thu. Feb. 2 Sweden: Swedish Masculinity & Scandinavian Feminism Keywords: Gender, feminism, masculinity Readings: Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” pages 343-554; From “Swedish Crime Fiction” by Bergman: “Women Authors and Detectives,” pp. 69-86

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

CORE COURSE WEEK, NO CLASS: February 6 – February 11

Mon. Feb. 13 Summation of the first part of the course and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Please bring questions and observations with relevant page references to class

Thu. Feb. 16 Sweden: in the People’s Home. Genre-renewal Keywords: The People’s Home, genre, welfare state, Readings: Ajvide Lindqvist, “Let the Right One in”, pp. 1-200 (& TBA article on Ajvide’s novel.)

Mon. Feb. 20 Short Analysis I due! Selection of YOUR Scandinavian Crime Fiction novel from the DIS Library (we meet in our regular class room, and will then walk to the library together)

Wed. Feb. 22 FIELD STUDY, 08:30-12:30 Millennium walking tour. Meet at designated meeting point.

Thu. Feb. 23 Sweden: Vampires in the People’s Home, continued Keywords: gender, coming of age, identity, sexuality Readings: John Ajvide Lindqvist, “Let the Right One In”, pp.201- 350

BREAK NO CLASS FEBRUARY 27 & MARCH 2

Mon. Mar. 6 Sweden: Vampires in the People’s Home, summation Readings: John Ajvide Lindqvist, “Let the Right One In”, pp351- 519. Please bring questions and observations with relevant page references to class.

Thu. Mar. 9 Short Answer Test in Class

Mon. Mar. 13 Guest Lecture: Dr. Kerstin Bergman, Lund University

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Thu. Mar. 16 Iceland: Introduction to Iceland and Icelandic Crime Fiction – Vikings, Sagas and Sheep Heads Keywords: Iceland, plot, genre, “Jar City”, cultural identity, “The 10 Commandments of Scandinavian Crime Fiction” Readings: Sigurdardottir, “My Soul to Take,” pp. 3-117; “The 10 Commandments of Scandinavian Crime Fiction” by Michaëlis (on Canvas)

BREAK: LONG STUDY TOUR MARCH 18 – MARCH 26

Mon. Mar. 27 Iceland: Isn’t this your typical Icelandic murder? Keywords: gender, characters, nationalism Readings: Sigurdardottir, “My Soul to Take,” pp. 118-331; From “Scandinavian Crime Fiction,” edited by Nestingen & Arvas: “Meaningless Icelanders: Icelandic Crime Fiction and Nationality” by Jakobsdóttir, pp. 46-61

Thu. Mar. 30 Iceland: A country of fairytales, tradition and globalization Keywords: Gothic, realism, supernatural Readings: Sigurdardottir, “My Soul to Take,” pp. 332-436 Summation of the second part of course and “My Soul to Take” Please bring questions and observations with relevant page references to class

Mon. Apr. 3 Denmark: Internationalization, immigrants and thrillers Keywords: Denmark, immigration, Internationalization, thrillers, genre Readings: Gazan’s “The Dinosaur Feather”, pp. 1-177

NO CLASS APRIL 6 – APRIL 18 DUE TO CPH TRANSITION

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Wed. Apr. 19 Field Study 13-17: Movie Screening: “Män som hatar kvinnor” (2008, 2h 26 min, the ‘Swedish’ film version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” with English subtitles) Location TBA. After the film, you will meet our guest lecturer, who will talk about the film and discuss it with you.

Guest Lecturer: Dr. Mariah Larsson, Film Scholar from Linnaeus University, Sweden, talks about “Vigilante ethics and queer feminism in the Millennium series.” Keywords: rape & revenge, vigilantism, queer feminism, sexuality

Thu. Apr. 20 Double session: 10.05-11.25 & 11.40-13.00 I. Denmark: The telling of the story, the scene of the crime Keywords: Narrative, parallel stories; gender equality – or not, setting Readings: Gazan’s “The Dinosaur Feather”, pp. 178-392

II.Short Analysis (of your own Scandinavian crime fiction novel) due! Prepare an in-class presentation of the novel of your choice.

Thu. Apr. 27 Double session: 10.05-11.25 & 11.40-13.00 I. Denmark: Male Scandinavian crime fiction detectives Keywords: “soft-boiled”, Danish social hierarchy, masculinity, detective characters Readings: Gazan’s “The Dinosaur Feather”, pp. 393-536 From “Scandinavian Crime Fiction,” edited by Nestingen & Arvas: “Dirty Harry in the Swedish Welfare State” by Tapper, pp. 21-33

Summation of the third part of the course: “The Dinosaur’s Feather” Please bring questions and observations with relevant page references to class.

II. Norway: Introduction to Norway and Norwegian crime fiction – Skis, Mountains and Serial Killers Keywords: Norway, Norway’s Loss of Innocence, criminal, victim, guilt Readings: From “The Crime Fiction Handbook” by Messent: “Gender Matters,” pp. 85-95 “The 10 Commandments of Scandinavian Crime Fiction” by Michaëlis (on Canvas)

Tue. May 2 GUEST LECTURE: Dr. Kerstin Bergman

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Thu. May 4 Double session: 13.15-14.35 & 14.50-16.10 I. Screening of the Danish/Swedish television series “The Bridge”, Season 1, Episode 1 (2011, 1h) Location TBA. Keywords: national stereotypes and differences, men and women detectives, plot, narration Readings: From “Scandinavian Crime Fiction” edited by Nestingen & Arvas: “Gender and Geography in Contemporary Scandinavian Television Crime Fiction” by Klintgaard Povlsen, pp. 89-99

Final Papers Due! II. Summation of the Course

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Primary Texts:

Textbook and Novels: Messent, Peter, “The Crime Fiction Handbook,” London: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013 Bergman, Kerstin, “Swedish Crime Fiction: The Making of Nordic Noir,” Milano: Mimesis, 2014 Nestingen, Andrew and Paula Arvas (eds), “Scandinavian Crime Fiction,” Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2011

Ajvide Lindqvist, John, “Let the right one in”, Griffin, translated by Ebba Segerberg Gazan, Sissel-Jo, “The Dinosaur Feather,” translated by Charlotte Barslund, London: Quercus, 2012 Larsson, Stieg, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” translated by Reg Keeland, London: MacLehose Press, 2008 Sigurdardóttir, Yrsa, “My Soul to Take,” translated by Bernard Scudder, London: Vintage, 2010

These are just a few of Scandinavian Crime Fiction Novels in the DIS Library. There is also a shelf with relevant scholarly books on reserve in the DIS Library.

Denmark: Adler-Olsen, Jussi, “Disgrace,” “Redemption” Blaedel, Sara, “Call Me Princess,” “Blue Blood,” Davidsen, Leif, “The Woman from Bratislava” Høeg, Peter, “Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow” Jungersen, Christen, “The Exception” Sweden: Axl Sund, Erik, “The Crow Girl” Ekman, Kerstin, “Blackwater” Jungstedt, Mari “The Double Silence” Kepler, Lars, “The Hypnotist” Läckberg, Camilla, “The Ice Princess” Larsson, Åsa, “The Savage Altar” Mankell, Henning, “Faceless Killers” Marklund, Liza, “The Bomber” Nesser, Håkan, “The Woman with the Birthmark” Sjöwall, Maj & Wahlöö, Per, “The Abominable Man” Tursten, Helen, “Detective Inspector Huss” Norway: Fossum, Karin, “Don’t Look Back,” “Calling Out for You,” “He Who Fears the Wolf,” Holt, Anne, “1222” Nesbø, Jo, “The Bat,” “Nemesis,” “Red Breast,” “The Devil’s Star,” “The Headhunter,”, “The Snowman” Iceland: Indridason, Arnaldur, “Jar City”, “Silence of the Grave,” “Voices,” “The Draining Lake,” “Artic Chill,” “Hypothermia,” “Outrage, “ “Black Skies” Sigurdardóttir, Yrsa, “Last Rituals,” “My Soul to Take,” “I Remember You,”

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature

Final Syllabus

Finland: Matti, Joensuu, “To Steal Her Love”

Reference Reading (these books are on reserve in the DIS Library)

Browder, Laura, “Dystopian Romance: True Crime and the Female Reader,” “The Journal of Popular Culture, 2009. 39.6. pp. 928-953 Cawelti, John G., “Adventure, Mystery and Romance,” Chicago: “University of Chicago Press, 1976 Chernaik, Swales, Martin, Vilain Robert (eds), “The Art of Detective Fiction,” London: St. Martin Press, 2000 Erickson-Johnsen, Rosemary, “Contemporary Feminist Historical Crime Fiction,” London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006 Fulbrook, Mary, “Historical Theory,” London: Routledge, 2002, “Looking for Clues,” pp. 96-121 Herbert, Rosemary et al. “The Oxford Companion to Crime and Mystery writing,” Oxford University Press, 1999 (chapter on crime fiction in Continental Europe: Nordic Countries) Knight, Stephen Thomas, “Crime Fiction 1800-2000: Detection, Death, Diversity,” New York: Palgrave Macmillian, 2004 Munt, Sally Rowena, Murder by the Book: Feminism and the Crime Novel, London: Routledge, 1994 Nestingen, Andrew, “Crime & Fantasy in Scandinavia,” Seattle, University of Washington Press, 2008 Nordisk Litteratur/Nordic Literature (2001) bilingual articles on development of crime fiction in the Nordic Countries Plain, Gill, “Twentieth-century Crime Fiction,” Scotland: Edinburgh University Press, 2001 Rosenberg, Robin S., O’Neill Shannon (eds), “The Psychology of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Dallas: BenBella Books, 2011 Ruggiero, Vincenzo, “Crime in Literature: Sociology of Deviance and Fiction, “London and New York, Verson, 2003 Scaggs, John, “Crime Fiction,” London: Routledge, 2005 Swedish Book Review (special issue: Swedish Crime Writers): http://www.swedishbookreview.com Articles in English about specific Scandinavian Crime Fiction novels and the genre in general can been found in the journal “Scandinavian Studies” (published by Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies) which can be accessed online

Scandinavian Crime Fiction | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Literature