Ingrid Urberg, PhD
Contact
Professor of Scandinavian Studies, Augustana - Fine Arts & Humanities
- iurberg@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 679-1573
- Address
-
153 Classroom Building
4901-46 AveCamrose ABT4V 2R3
Overview
About
I have taught a wide variety of Norwegian language and Scandinavian literature and culture courses at Augustana since arriving in 1994. I have studied, taught and lived in Norway for extended periods of time, and I frequently visit other parts of Scandinavia as well. I am the faculty advisor for the Augustana student-led Nordic Club, and I organize weekly Norwegian language lunches. Learning other languages has opened doors for me, both professionally and personally, and this is something my students experience as well. Augustana is one of only two Canadian university campuses that offer courses in the Norwegian language, and I encourage students and community members to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
Degrees:
PhD & MA Scandinavian Literature (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
BA Biology and Norwegian (Luther College, Decorah, Iowa), summa cum laude
Awards:
The Augustana Murray Lauber Distinguished Service Award, May 2012
The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, November 2006
Augustana Distinguished Teaching Award, 2002 Phi Beta Kappa, 1984
Professional Organizations:
AASSC (Association for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies in Canada), Past President
NORTANA (Norwegian Researchers and Teachers of North America)
SASS (Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study)
Research
My research focuses on Norwegian-American literature, polar literature, and northern personal narratives, including Svalbard narratives. I am currently working on literary representations of sled dogs as well as an oral history project--The Norwegian Immigrant Experience in Alberta.
Teaching
I teach a wide variety of Norwegian language and Scandinavian literature and culture courses as well as a First Year Seminar course on wolves. Viking Age Mythology is one of my most popular courses, and it is open to all levels of students. Other courses I teach include: Scandinavian Culture and Civilization (cross-listed as a Cultural Geography course), Scandinavian Folklore, Scandinavian Crime Fiction and Personal Narratives of the North. I am passionate about language teaching, and my use of the immersion approach has proven successful in preparing students for studying in Norway as well as in creating a positive classroom learning environment. Please drop by and see me if you are interested in talking about the Scandinavian Studies program in general, specific courses and/or study abroad opportunities in Norway and Scandinavia.
Courses
AUGEO 242 - Cultural Geography of Scandinavia
Survey of Scandinavian life and achievement, past and present, with emphasis on social and cultural conditions against a geographical and historical background. All lectures and readings are in English. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUGEO 242 and AUSCA 231.
AUIDS 101 - First Year Seminar
Selected topics that highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. This seminar-style class is the first course in Augustana's Core. The focus and content of each course are determined by faculty interests, and vary from year to year.
AUSCA 101 - Beginners' Norwegian I
AUSCA 101 and 102 are designed to develop ability in reading and writing Norwegian, with a strong emphasis on the development of comprehension and oral communication skills. During this process, the student participates in a wide variety of interactive activities and is also exposed to contemporary Norwegian culture. These two courses not only encourage the student to think critically about the principles of grammar as they relate to the Norwegian language, but also stimulate an in-depth understanding of the principles by which language functions in general. These two courses also lead the student through the steps of reflective learning as they consider and discuss language learning strategies.
AUSCA 102 - Beginners' Norwegian II
Continuation of AUSCA 101. Prerequisite: AUSCA 101.
AUSCA 142 - Viking Age Mythology
A survey of Viking Age / Old Norse mythology and heroic legends, focusing on readings in translation from the Poetic and Prose Eddas. The influence of Old Norse mythology on European and North American visual art, literature, popular culture, and music from the 19th century to the present is also examined.
AUSCA 231 - Scandinavian Culture and Civilization
Survey of Scandinavian life and achievement, past and present, with emphasis on social and cultural conditions against a geographical and historical background. All lectures and readings are in English. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUSCA 231 and AUGEO 242.
AUSCA 261 - Scandinavian Folk Literature
Introduction to the three major genres of Scandinavian folk literature: the fictional folk tale, the legend, and the ballad. Folk literature as a cultural mirror and the impact of folk literature on nineteenth- and twentieth-century Scandinavian literature are also explored. All lectures and readings are in English.