Spring Break in Sweden & Norway: 
Scandinavian Perspectives on Humanity & Justice

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Program Overview

 

The Scandinavian and American approaches to justice are distinct and reflective of deeply embedded social and public policy systems. In particular, the welfare states in Norway and Sweden provide a robust system of social support that informs the treatment of many marginalized populations, including people involved in the justice system.  This course will provide students the opportunity to explore the ideological and practical foundations of these systems, with an emphasis on understanding the role of social services, educational institutions, and public agencies. Beginning with a visit to a correctional facility in Pennsylvania, students will be given the opportunity to compare and contrast parallel policies and institutions in Scandinavia.  By visiting both Sweden and Norway, participants will experience, first-hand, an alternate practical and theoretical framework for criminal justice, as well as the cultural context necessary to support that system. 

During their time abroad, participants will tour prisons facilities, including Halden Fengsel, a world-renowned rehabilitative prison in Norway, and a juvenile detention facility in Uppsala, Sweden.  Students will also speak with criminal justice policy-makers, meet with peers from Stockholm University and tour law enforcement, courts, and other related institutions.  During the course, students will also immerse themselves in Swedish and Norwegian history and culture in order to better understand the divergent cultural norms that support the American and Scandinavian criminal justice systems.

See this program in action in our program highlights and program overview videos!  

Read Drexel Now and the Norwegian American journal articles showcasing this program.

Upon completion of this course, students will:
 
     • Be able to describe the modern Swedish, Norwegian criminal justice systems
     • Understand the historical and cultural factors that have shaped these justice systems
     • Distinguish and apply social and criminological theories and purposes within these systems
     • Be able to compare and contrast these systems to the American/ domestic approach to crime
     • Become familiar with emerging issues justice-involved populations in Scandinavia
     • Appreciate Scandinavian culture

Student Testimonial: I want to share with you my final thesis book for my prison project... This was overall such a fulfilling project, and something that I am truly passionate about. I will forever be grateful for my experience studying abroad -- so much of what I saw informed my design process and helped me to curate design solutions for all people who experience the carceral setting. 

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Academics

Credit/Registration: Students accepted to this program will be automatically registered for CJS 380 Scandinavian Perspectives on Justice 3 credits for spring term. Students must leave room for the 3 credits in their credit load or will have to pay for exceeding the 20 credit maximum.

Pre-Travel Requirements: There will be one mandatory, preparatory class meetings during the winter term.

Instructors:

• Jordan Hyatt, JD PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Criminology and Justice Studies
• Synøve N. Andersen, PhD, Faculty Fellow, Department of Criminology and Justice Studies, Drexel University, and Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo
   

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Program Calendar

Arrival Date:       March 19th, 2025
Departure Date:  March 28th, 2025

Tentative Overview

Program Fee - $2,020

Due November 15th, 2024 $500 Advance Payment
Due January 15th, 2025      $1,520 Final Payment
All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.

Included in Program Fee:

• Hotel accommodation in both countries
• Local transportation
• Charter transportation to site visits
• Group tours and attraction admission fees
• Course materials and guest speakers from criminal justice agencies & universities
• Coffee & light refreshments on select tours and lectures
• Group meal featuring local cuisine
• On Call Emergency Assistance & Medical Insurance

Not Included in Program Fee (estimates):

• Transatlantic airfare  $700
• Airport transfers          $50
• Most meals                 $260
• Transit from Halden to Stockholm $50
• Spending money         $100
• Passport/visa              $165

ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students eligible for additional financial aid.  Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's ICA Scholarships.

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More Information

• Visa: US citizens are not required to have a visa for entry to Sweden or Norway.
• Other nationalities must verify on the Norway and Sweden Embassy Websites. 

Grading Scale

A+             97- 100      C+      77- 79    
A               93- 96        C        73- 76    
A-              90- 92        C-       70- 72  
B+             87- 89        D+       67- 69 
B               83- 86        D         60- 66
B-              80- 82        F          < 60