Sleek furniture, minimalist clothing, and well-lit IKEA kitchens: these are the kinds of things that come to mind when one hears the phrase “Scandinavian design.” But we can think of Scandinavian design in broader terms as well, including the “design” of society, culture, and literature. This course explores texts that both celebrate and challenge notions of “good design” in a Scandinavian context. From houses and playgrounds, to landscapes and welfare states, we will consider questions such as: What is design? Is literature designed, or does it do the designing? What, if anything, is special about Scandinavian design?

This course satisfies the second half or the “B” portion of the Reading and Composition requirement.

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of the “A” portion of the Reading & Composition requirement or its equivalent.  Students may not enroll in nor attend R1B/R5B courses without completing this prerequisite