German, Creating the Contemporary Literary Canon 7.5 credits

About the course

How does a work become a literary masterpiece? What function do literary critics and readers play in this process? How do literary prizes such as the Nobel Prize influence the literary canon? This course employs a global perspective and consists of a study of prize-winning, German language works with an eye to considering both their significance as narratives and the cultural value surrounding them as prize-winners. Alongside examining the works as texts, we will also investigate the cultural values of the prizes and consider how those may be related to modern canonization processes. As part of this, we will approach a consideration of the possible relationships between literary critics and the reading public.

The course is divided into a short introductory module conducted in English followed by the main content module conducted in German.

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Autumn 2026
- German, Creating the Contemporary Literary Canon
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  HT26 / Varied / Multiple languages / Web-based (online)
  
  Application opens 16 March 2026
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
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  Starts
  2 November 2026
  
  Ends
  17 January 2027
  
  Number of credits
  7.5 credits
  
  Type of studies
  Web-based (online)
  
  Mandatory meetings
  No mandatory meetings
  
  Other meetings
  None
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Mixed
  
  Study location
  Varied
  
  Language
  Multiple languages
  
  Application code
  UMU-1402W
  
  Outline for distance course
  
  All communication is via the course learning platform. Access to a computer with broadband internet connection is required for participating in and completing the course tasks.
  
  Eligibility
  
  Knowledge of English equivalent of English 6/level 2. Univ: At least 90 ECTS with academic progression, including at least 15 ECTS corresponding to level 61-90 hp in the Swedish academic system in German, or equivalent knowledge.
  
  Selection
  
  Academic credits awarded by application deadline (HPAV 30-285 ECTS)
  
  Application
  The online application opens 16 March 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2026. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 12,075
  
  Total fee: SEK 12,075
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

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