"I
really liked the interdisciplinary approach. I have become much more
aware of the issues surrounding Europe and the rest of the world."
Window
Onto the New Europe
Scandinavian
Urban Studies Term (SUST)
Fall
Semester (September -December)
In Scandinavia,
students explore the values, culture and history that shape the region's
innovative strategies for social change. Based in Oslo, with field
study in Stockholm, Sweden; Tallin, Estonia; and selected regions
of Norway, students gain a greater understanding of Scandinavia's
global leadership in social policy, women's issues, environmental
concerns and peace-keeping efforts. Students engage in cross-cultural
learning through campus activities, student village life, family stays,
class sessions and guided field trips.
Students
explore the relationship between Scandinavian countries, the emerging
democracies of Eastern Europe, the European Union and broader global
politics. Through well-established networks, students meet politicians,
artists, working people, students and neighborhood residents throughout
the region.
Students
take three inter-related seminars, all taught in English: Urbanization
and Sustainable Development, Scandinavia in the World, and Scandinavian
Art and Literature: Perspectives on Social Change. In addition, students
choose either Norwegian Language or an Independent Study Project.
SUST attracts
students from across the social science disciplines, interdisciplinary
majors and the humanities.
Students
learn to navigate the city of Oslo as they do small group field projects
then return to the classroom to report what they've learned about
social issues in the urban center.
The program
base is Oslo, Norway, with field study-travel to Stockholm, Sweden
and Tallin, Estonia. Rich learning opportunities are available in
each site.
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Destination
Scandinavia
Scandinavia
offers the opportunity to examine issues facing industrialized welfare
states and social democracies in Europe. Norway, Sweden, Denmark and
Finland share a solid tradition of grassroots citizen participation,
as well as state support of health care, economic security and education.
The region
is connected both to mainstream European political developments and
to the Baltic States of the former Soviet Union.
Norway
Norway,
the "Land of the Midnight Sun," is in the western part of Scandinavia
and shares common borders with Sweden, Finland and the former Soviet
Union.
The Scandinavian
Urban Studies Term is based in Oslo, Norway, a compact and diverse
city nestled between the Oslo Fjord and mountains.
The University
of Oslo, known as a center of international learning, provides an
excellent program base, good student housing and access to a rich
variety of services and student activities.
Norway
is at once a part of Europe and yet separate from it, having opted
not to join the European Union. It also offers a fascinating picture
of employment, education and racial issues in a social welfare system.
Sweden
By contrast,
Sweden, a leading industrial nation in the north, voted recently to
join the European Union, adopting some of the economic reforms imposed
by it. Its capital, Stockholm, illustrates planning in a social welfare
state that was a pioneer in the field of social housing, land policy
and unique state housing loans.
Estonia
Estonia
is one of the three Baltic States that recently gained independence
from the Soviet Union. The Baltics have turned to their Scandinavian
neighbors for models on which to develop their economies. Estonia,
with its population of 1.5 million, is rapidly westernizing its economy
in order to find trading partners in Europe and to open possibilities
of NATO membership. As the northernmost Baltic country, Estonia represents
a unique meeting point between east and west. Students spend time
in Tallin, Estonia's capital of about 500,000, which is noted for
its well-preserved medieval architecture.
Additional
Travel
Students
have extensive opportunity for personal travel to other parts of Scandinavia
and Europe during weekends, breaks and upon completion of the program.
The field
trip and homestay in Tallin, Estonia are highlights for students.
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Program
Faculty
Program
Director Jeanne Sanderson holds a B.A. degree in modern and economic
history and education from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland,
and an advanced history degree from the University of Oslo with specialization
in Norwegian economic history and the emergence of an industrial society
in Great Britain. She is a British citizen and has been living and
working in Norway for the past 21 years. She brings a passion for
creating learning environments for students where they can make significant
personal and academic connections with current social issues.
Primary
faculty and guest lecturers for the program include a variety of university
faculty members, as well as government and community leaders and activists.
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Program
Logistics
Housing
and meals
HECUA
students live in a student village near the campus of the University
of Oslo and share living space with other Norwegian and foreign students.
Two or more homestays are arranged during the term. Students receive
a monthly food stipend to buy and cook their own food.
Class
locations
The primary
location for classes is the University of Oslo Blindern campus, with
field study in selected regions of Norway, as well as Sweden and Estonia.
Transportation
Transportation
to and from class sessions and field excursions in the city is via
Oslo's excellent mass transit system. The group flies to Sweden and
Estonia and uses various modes of transportation for field study in
those two sites.
Cost
The semester
program fee for Fall 2000 is $10,450. (Students from HECUA member
schools receive a $500 discount, for a program fee of $9,950). The
fee covers tuition, lodging, food stipend and all field travel ground
expenses. Excludes international and field trip airfare, books, passport
and personal expenses. Financial aid may be used for the program,
to be arranged with your financial aid or study abroad office.
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How
to Enroll
Prerequisites
