There have been many milestones and changes afoot in the Nordic/Scandinavian Studies Program this year. One of these, perhaps the pone most viable to readers of this newsletter, concerns the name. As of fall 2006, we are now called the Nordic/Scandinavian Program. The term “Nordic” is far more reflective of the current cultural and geographic realities than “Scandinavian,” which, strictly speaking, refers only to the Germanic-speaking cultures of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Much of the academic work currently being done in the Nordic region, in Scandinavian Studies in the United States, and in GSLL, concerns other cultures in the Nordic region that have never been considered “Scandinavian,” including the Sami cultures of the northern Nordic region, the Finns, and the Greenlanders. Several of the courses we teach, including Scandinavian 3206: Nordic Colonialism, address this issue directly. At the same time, members of our program will continue to work in the areas traditionally considered to fall under the heading “Scandinavian.” Thus, the name change to include the word “Nordic” better reflects the cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity of the region we study, without any loss. It brings the program more into line with work being done in the Nordic countries, and allows a more accurate and inclusive approach to the history, culture, and cultural production of the region. Also we are proud to report that we have more than doubled our Nordic/Scandinavian minors since last year, from 5 to 12.

Dr. Helga Luthers hired as part-time Instructor

The Nordic/Scandinavian Program is happy to have hired Dr. Helga Luthers to a long-term, 50% position as Instructor of Nordic/Scandinavian. Dr. Luthers has for many years been a mainstay of the program, beginning as a Teaching Assistant/Graduate Part-Time Instructor, and later, after earning her Ph. D., as a Lecturer. We are delighted to have solidified the position of this dynamic teacher and valued colleague. Dr. Luthers’s newest course, Scandinavian 1202, Tolkien’s Nordic Sources, has already become extremely popular, and rose to an enrollment of 92 students during the fall of 2006.

Dr. Ann Schmiesing has become the first member of the Nordic/Scandinavian Program to be granted tenure. Congratulations, Ann!

Dr. Tracey Sands, Assistant Professor of Nordic/Scandinavian, has signed a contract for her book, The Medieval Swedish Cult of St. Katherine of Alexandria and its Transformations. It will be published by MRTS (Medieval and Renaissance Texts and Studies), a respected series published by the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Dr. Sands has also signed a contract for an article and translation to appear in Sanctity in the North, a volume of translations of the lives of Nordic saints, accompanied by research articles on these saints, edited by Thomas DuBois. It will be published by the University of Toronto Press. In addition, Dr. Sands has recently been appointed Assistant Director of CMEMS, CU Boulder’s Committee on Medieval and Early Modern Studies.

Dr. Ursula Lindqvist has proposed a new course, entitled Women in Nordic Society: Modern States of Welfare. This course will examine the role and status of women and marginalized social classes in the Nordic countries, whose societies have been heralded as egalitarian models since the twentieth century. If approved, it will be offered during the spring term of 2007. Dr. Lindqvist has made many other important contributions to the program since she arrived in Boulder in the fall of 2005. She is the founder and organizer of FIKA, the Swedish Coffee Hour, that meets one afternoon a week, currently at the Norlin Underground Café. This opportunity to speak Swedish is open to the public as well as to all members of the CU community. It has proven very popular with local speakers of Swedish and members of the CU student body alike. For more information on FIKA, contact Dr. Lindqvist, Ursula.Lind@colorado.edu. Dr. Lindqvist has also been hard at work building up the Swedish language program here at CU. Thanks to her hard work, along with the efforts of members of the students’ Scandinavian/Nordic Club, enrollments in lower-level Swedish are three times the level of the previous year.

The student-run Scandinavian Club is also very active this year. The club’s new executive officers are Camilla Dye, Steve Ljungberg, and Nievie Porzel. They have introduced a new, weekly club activity – Kubb. This is a popular Swedish game that requires little skill, but offers ample opportunity for socializing and fun! Club members are also hard at work on the Nordic Julfest. This year’s winter celebration will incorporate the tradition St. Lucia’s Day procession/pageant into a more inclusive, interactive celebration. It will feature traditional dancing around a Christmas tree, with instruction available for those unfamiliar with the VERY EASY steps. Nordic holiday treats will also be served, and there will of course be a visit from St. Lucia and her entourage! For more information, contact Steve Ljungberg (steven.ljungberg@colorado.edu).