Education

B.A., University of Washington (History and German); Ph.D., University of Washington (Scandinavian Studies)

Areas of Expertise

Swedish language and Nordic literature, Nordic film, and Sami culture

Interests

Hoppa sten

Roland Thorstensson

Scandinavian Studies
Download curriculum vitæ

Sweden 2011: A new semester program in Sweden was launched in January 2009 with Roland Thorstensson as its first director. This five-month, five-course program took students to the far north (Jokkmokk, located on the Arctic Circle), the eastern seaboard (Stockholm), the western seaboard (Göteborg), and the southernmost Swedish provinces. There were courses on

• Sami culture
• Swedish/Nordic politics
• Swedish emigration/immigration
• Sweden today
• Science and environmental law

Some of these courses will fulfill Gustavus General Education Area requirements.

There will be a 2nd Semester in Sweden in 2011 with Eric Eliason, English, as faculty director.

Note: Registration for Sweden-2011 will take place during this academic year with a March 1, 2010 deadline.

Thorstensson writes:

Choices, a long time ago: When I was nineteen and in my last year of the Swedish gymnasium, different obligations and plans lay before me. The Swedish military wanted me to learn Russian at the Royal Interpreter School; my history professor wanted me to become a history professor; my physical education professors thought I should make physical education my career; and I wanted to escape and become a sailor on the Seven Seas. Then a letter from the University of Washington arrived to my parents' farm. This university offered me a scholarship, "a free ride!" The Swedish military gave me a deferment and my history professor was happy because he knew that I could now study American history, one of my major interests. What my physical education professors said I can't remember, but I do remember how seasick I was when I traveled across the Atlantic on an ocean liner called the M/S Kungsholm.

I have stayed on terra firma ever since, on university and college campuses or close to them. I have tried to remain physically educated and active on my own and while Russian never became one of my languages, my Russian daughter-in-law can now interpret for me, as can my son and grandson. I hope to fly across the Seven Seas some day.

From American Studies to Scandinavian Studies: In Seattle I discovered Scandinavia and eventually something called Scandinavian studies. It appealed to me because it allowed me to pursue my interest in many things at one and the same time. Perhaps I have been interdisciplinary all my life. On the farm I had to be. In athletics I thought decathlon was fun because it was so diverse. My Latin teacher preached mens sana in corpore sano. And my work in Scandinavian studies provided many opportunities to go "home," at least in my mind. Because of my many and varied interests, my Graduate School advisor felt that I should become a teacher at a liberal arts institution. When I was ready to apply for teaching jobs he suggested I apply to a college with an unpronounceable name in southern Minnesota. I followed his advice.

Gustavus Adolphus College: Gustavus has been a good home for my family and me. My wife Edi, as knowledgeable a Scandinavianist as any, was a librarian here for many years. Martin and Liv, our two children, have lived in Sweden and Norway with us when I have had sabbatical leaves. They both speak my first language fluently (and several others). At Gustavus I have taught and still teach a variety of Swedish languages courses, courses in English on Nordic literature, Nordic theater and film, Sami culture and many other interdisciplinary courses. In the 1980s I even taught classes in Physical Education -- aerobics -- and I have assisted the coaches in soccer and cross-country skiing, both on campus and in Scandinavia. And now, please return to the top of the page, I am eagerly and enthusiastically promoting the 2011 Semester in Sweden.

Contact Information

Scandinavian Studies
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082

Phone: 507-933-7423
E-mail: rollo@gustavus.edu

Courses Taught

• Interm Swedish I
• Scandinavian Life
• Scandinavian Life Lab
• ST:Ingmar Bergman
• ST:Young in Sweden
• Swedish I
• Swedish II

Roland Thorstensson's Schedule