Finnish


Faculty List

Professor Emeritus 
B. Vahamaki, MA, PhLic, PhD 

Associate Professor 
A. Muhonen, MA, PhD 

Given by the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures

Introduction

A nation of five million people, Finland is situated between West and East, between Sweden and Russia, sharing for thousands of years religious, historical, political, social, and cultural influences and experiences with its neighbours and the different worlds they represent.

Finnish, a Finno-Ugric language related to Estonian and Hungarian, is spoken by 94% of Finland’s population, by 300,000 in Sweden, and by large numbers in Canada, the United States, and other countries. The other constitutionally recognized group, the Finland-Swedes, comprises over six percent of the population. The Finns have a strong commitment to their languages and to their culture. Their national epic, the Kalevala, compiled in the 19th century from old Finnish epic narrative poems and incantations, soon became a national symbol and continues to this day to inspire the growth and development of the country’s creative force. Today the entire world responds to Finnish achievements in music, literature, the arts and architecture, and celebrates the work of such outstanding figures as Jean Sibelius, Aki Kaurismäki, Alvar Aalto, and Eliel and Eero Saarinen.

Finnish studies at the University of Toronto are presently engaged in teaching the Finnish language - a three-year sequence - and in offering other courses on the literature and culture of Finland.


Note Regarding Finnish Studies Programs

Enrolment in the Finnish Studies Major and the Finnish Studies Minor is no longer available as of September 21, 2023. Students presently enrolled in the Major or Minor will be able to complete the program requirements as described in the respective program record, published in the 2022-23 Arts & Science Academic Calendar.

Beginning in March 2024, all students interested in pursuing studies in Finnish language, literature, and/or culture are encouraged to enrol in one of the new programs in Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures (Minor, Major, Specialist) or in Slavic and East European Literature in Translation (Minor). All of these programs include the Finnish area of study. For more information on this new suite of programs, please consult the Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures section of the academic calendar or contact the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures directly for advising.

 

Finnish Studies: see Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures

 

Finnish Courses

FIN100H1 - Elementary Finnish I

Hours: 48P

The Department reserves the right to assign students to courses appropriate to their level of competence in Finnish. An introductory language course for students with no knowledge of Finnish. The acquisition of a basic vocabulary and of an understanding of elementary structural features through practice in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

SWE100H1 - Elementary Swedish I

Hours: 24L/24P

Elementary Swedish I gives students a basic knowledge of Swedish. Students learn to understand and use Swedish in everyday situations, and to read and write short texts on familiar themes, and speak about their immediate social environment and learn something about everyday life in both Finland and Sweden.

Exclusion: SWE101H1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

SWE101H1 - Elementary Swedish II

Hours: 24L/24P

Elementary Swedish II, a continuation of SWE100H1 gives students a basic knowledge of Swedish. Students learn to understand and use Swedish in everyday situations, and to read and write short texts on familiar themes, and speak about their immediate social environment and learn something about everyday life in both Finland and Sweden.

Prerequisite: SWE100H1 or instructor permission
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN110H1 - Elementary Finnish II

Hours: 48P

An introductory language course for students with no knowledge of Finnish. The acquisition of a basic vocabulary and of an understanding of elementary structural features through practice in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing.

Prerequisite: FIN100H1 or permission of instructor
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN200H1 - Intermediate Finnish I

Hours: 48P

The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) honed by discussion of Finnish literary texts as well as by compositions in Finnish about these texts, by a series of conversation exercises, and by analysis of morphology, syntax and word formation. Translation is used to aid in language learning.

Prerequisite: FIN110H1 or permission of instructor
Exclusion: FIN200Y1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN210H1 - Intermediate Finnish II

Hours: 48P

The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) honed by discussion of Finnish literary texts as well as by compositions in Finnish about these texts, by a series of conversation exercises, and by analysis of morphology, syntax and word formation. Translation is used to aid in language learning.

Prerequisite: FIN200H1 or permission of instructor
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN225H1 - Culture, Society and Politics of the Nordic Region

Hours: 24L

An introduction to the culture, society and politics of the Nordic region with a focus on Finland, Sweden and Estonia, and including other countries of the Baltic sea region. An overview of the evolution of culture and society, as well as historical and political developments, demonstrating how interactions between these two spheres have shaped life in the region today.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN230H1 - Finnish Culture 1800 to Present

Hours: 12L/12P

FIN230H1 offers an introduction to Finnish society, history and culture from 1800 to present. The course examines the rise of Finnish nationalism in the 1800s, its main manifestations, and concentrates on the developments of its cultural, educational and social institutions, its economic structures, demographics, cultural traditions as well as the nation’s bilingual status. The focus is on contemporary themes placed in a wider societal context.

Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

FIN236H1 - Hot Reads from a Cool Country: Contemporary Finnish Literature

Hours: 24S

An introduction to contemporary Finnish literature which leads students through major developments in Finnish literature over the last 30 years with a focus on the major themes and trends of Finnish literature through selected representative works. Finnish texts will be read in translation, analyzed and discussed.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN238H1 - The Vikings

Hours: 48L

This course examines the influence and reception of the Vikings on the Nordic countries and Europe up to the modern day, focusing on their legacy in the contemporary Nordic world in literature, film and other cultural fields.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN240H1 - Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature

Hours: 12L/12S

Introduction to the greatest authors of Scandinavian literature and their greatest works, particularly August Strindberg, Henrik Ibsen, H.C. Andersen, Knut Hamsun, Selma Lagerlof, Pär Lagerkvist, Aleksis Kivi, Sigrid Undset and Halldor Laxness, etc. These are situated in their Scandinavian context and in world literature. (Offered every two or three years)

Recommended Preparation: Some background in literature
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN250H1 - Finnish Cinema

Hours: 12P/24S

The course offers a survey of development of Finnish cinema from its parochial beginnings to its international recognition with a focus on contemporary themes. Selected films with different themes and topics will be screened and analysed. Readings and subtitles in English. (Offered in alternate years)

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN260H1 - Scandinavian Cinema

Hours: 12P/24S

Major developments of cinema in Scandinavia in the 20th and 21st centuries focusing on Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. In addition to "old classics," most important recent films are screened and discussed.  Film directors include Ingmar Bergman, Carl Th. Dreyer, Aki and Mika Kaurismaki, and many others. (Offered in alternate years)

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN270H1 - Modern and Contemporary Finnish Architecture and Design

Hours: 24P

Finnish architecture and design from the 19th century to the present. Explores the technical and stylistic development of modern architecture and design in relation to the cultural and socioeconomic progress of the young nation. The focus is on the work of modern architects and designers. The course also examines the history of Scandinavian design more broadly.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN280H1 - Finnish Musical Culture from Sibelius to Heavy Metal

Hours: 24S

Analyzing the role of music in Finnish cultural identity, history, and society, this course explores both traditional and contemporary Finnish music, concentrating on what makes Finnish musical culture unique: Sibelius, kantele, folk music, heavy metal, rock and pop music. We will explore the themes of national and international music, the music industry, and the globalization of Finland's music.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN300H1 - Advanced Finnish I

Hours: 12P/24S

Advanced Finnish provides a continuation of FIN210H1 Intermediate Finnish.

Prerequisite: FIN210H1 or permission of instructor
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN310H1 - Finnish Folklore: The Kalevala

Hours: 12L/12S

An examination of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala: its relationship to the tradition of folk poetry; its quality as an epic poem; the mythological, religious, and cultural dimensions of its world view; its role in Finland's nation-building in the 19th and 20th centuries. Readings in English. (Offered at least every alternate year)

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN320H1 - The Finnish Canadian Immigrant Experience

Hours: 12L/12S

Major issues and dimensions of the culture and experience of the Finnish immigrants to Canada, including Finnish Canadian literature, theatre, and press. Conceptual and ideological contributions to working class culture, women's lives, religious and social attitudes and values. Readings in English. (Offered every three or four years)

Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

FIN340H1 - Advanced Finnish II

Hours: 12P/24S

Advanced Finnish II provides a continuation of FIN300H1 Advanced Finnish I.

Prerequisite: FIN300H1 or permission of instructor
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN350H1 - The Finnish Short Story

Hours: 24S

Historical, structural, and thematic study of the short fiction of Finland from the Romanticism of the 19th century to contemporary post-structuralism and post-modernism. Works of Runeberg, Topelius, Kivi, Canth, Aho, Jotuni, Lehtonen, Schildt, Sillanpaa, Haanpaa, Meri, Hyry, Salama, Mukka, Liksom, and others. Readings in English. (Offered in alternate years)

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN360H1 - Bilingualism in Finland

Hours: 12L/12S

Bilingualism in Finland as a case study in the sociology of language. A critical survey of the historical development of language politics in Finland as a bilingual society from 1800 until present.

Exclusion: FIN340H1
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

FIN400H1 - Translation: Finnish-English

Hours: 24S

Written translation from Finnish to English. Students will apply their textual analysis skills in translating texts drawn from diverse sources and genres, while exploring the general theory of translation. Translation exercises will serve as the basis for training in comparative Finnish-English stylistics.

Prerequisite: FIN300H1 or permission of instructor
Recommended Preparation: FIN305H1
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)

FIN415H1 - Finnish Literature in the 20th Century

Hours: 24S

This course examines the main literary works and genres of 20th Century Finland, especially Jotuni, Sillanpaa, Haanpaa, Meri, Manner, Linna, Tuuri and a sample of contemporary writers. All readings in Finnish.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Recommended Preparation: FIN410H1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FIN420Y1 - Independent Study

A year-long reading and research project of significant depth in a major area in Finnish language, literature or culture approved and supervised by an instructor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

FIN421H1 - Independent Study

A semester-long reading and research project of significant depth in a major area in Finnish language, literature or culture approved and supervised by an instructor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

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