The course is especially designed for international students who wish to know more about the Finnish society and culture. The main purpose is to introduce the students to the society and culture of contemporary Finland. After the course, the students will have an idea of the development and cultural, political and economic background of one of the Nordic welfare states.

Obtaining 3 ECTS credits: participation in the lectures, passing the lecture exam organised at the end of the lecture series. The exam will be a multiple choice exam which possibly also includes writing some short essays.

Obtaining 5 ECTS credits: in addition to participation in the lectures and in the lecture exam, student must also pass an exam based on additional reading organized together with the lecture exam. Additional reading consists of scientific articles on Finnish Society and Culture and is to be confirmed in the course programme in Moodle.

Lectures

17.1. Seija-Leena Nevala: Finland – 100 years of Independency

24.1. Lina van Aerschot: Finnish Welfare and Social Services

31.1. Johanna Peltoniemi: Finnish Political System

7.2. Tarja Rautiainen-Keskustalo: About Music Scenes in Finland

14.2. no lecture

21.2. Raisa Harju-Autti: Finnish Education System

28.2. will be confirmed later

7.3. Katja Fält: Finnish Art History in a Nutshell

14.3. Marko Seppänen: Finnish Innovations: Past, Present and Future

21.3. Ari Vanamo: Finnish Forests and Forestry

28.3. no lecture

4.4. Arja Luiro: Finnish Gastronomy

11.4. Hannu Sinisalo: Boundaries of Finnishness and Ethnic Minorities in Finland

18.4. Katja Keisala: How to Communicate in Finland

25.4. Jyrki Jyrkiäinen: Special Features of Finnish Mass Media

2.5. exam

16.5. exam retake

Participation in the lectures and an exam. The exam will be organised at the end of the lecture series. It will be a multiple choice which, possibly, also includes writing some short essays.