Sweden: Strategies for Thriving in the 21st Century

Catalog description

This is a travel course to Sweden. The class will meet on campus before and after departure on dates to be determined. This course will have an additional course fee to cover lodging and other program logistics. Registration permits will be issued upon a signed Travel Agreement being returned to the Organizational Dynamics program office. Neutral during WWII, claiming a "Middle Way" between east and west in the post-war twentieth century, and joining NATO in the twenty-first century, Sweden--its people, institutions, and culture--has left its mark on our global society. In today's world, the influence of Swedish ideas and innovations can be seen in government structures, health and social policies, business organizations, sustainable development, working life, education, science, art, literature, and, of course, the design and style of many products and services which enjoy high demand. These are impressive impacts from a nation-state of only 10.6 million people. What lessons are there for Americans and our institutions in the twenty-first century where our leadership position, ability to determine the rules and control the agenda of world economic and political affairs is possibly diminished? This course will include meetings with academics and leaders from industry, government, health care, science, media, arts and culture. Students will meet with and learn from these representatives in order to explore Swedish organizational dynamics, both in terms of its economic prosperity and the problems Swedish society faces today.