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.

Finnish Programs

Enrolment in Finnish programs requires the completion of four courses; no minimum GPA required.

Finnish Studies (Arts program)

Major program:

(6 FCEs or their equivalent, with at least 2 FCEs at the 300+-level, including 0.5 FCE at the 400-level)

1. FIN100H1, FIN110H1
2. FIN200H1, FIN210H1
3. 4 FCEs from the following: FIN230H1, FIN235H1, FIN240H1, FIN250H1, FIN260H1, FIN305H11, FIN310H1, FIN320H1, FIN330H1, FIN340H1, FIN350H1, FIN410H1, FIN415H1, FIN420Y1, FIN430H1
4. To insure exposure to quantitative skills, all Majors must take 0.5FCE in the new breadth area 5 as part of satisfying their breadth course requirement. Students may choose any quantitative reasoning course among those specifically designated for this purpose in the Faculty of Arts and Science. This is in addition to any program requirements listed above.

Minor program:

(4 FCEs or equivalent, including at least one at the 300+ level)

Four FCEs from FIN-designated courses

Faculty of Arts & Science Language Citation

The Finnish program participates in the Faculty of Arts and Science’s Language Citation initiative. Students may achieve this Citation in Finnish.
Language study is a demanding and intellectually rewarding educational experience. Our students learn to communicate both orally and in writing in other languages and are thus able to experience other parts of the world in more intimate ways. Their access to other cultures opens doors for further study and employment. Students in our department also have the opportunity to read a vast array of world-renowned authors in the original languages, as well as works – normally not available in English – in other areas of study, for example, cinema studies, drama, folklore, history, intellectual history, philosophy, mathematics, and political science.

The Language Citation recognizes a significant level of achievement in language study. For course selection students should consult the Undergraduate Coordinator as early as possible since not every language course is offered each year. Students who begin language study at the Intermediate level should consult the Undergraduate Coordinator for approval of advanced literature and culture courses that may satisfy the requirements for the Language Citation.

The Language Citation in Finnish is available to students who complete FIN200H1, FIN210H1, FIN300H1, and FIN305H1 with a grade of at least B-.

Students should note that, as explained on the page 20 of this Calendar, the Language Citation is not equivalent to an academic program and that enrolment in a program is not necessary in order to earn the recognition bestowed by the Citation.