Target Group and Admission Requirements

The target group includes all applicants with an interest in language and literature who wish to acquire a broad understanding of English and/or Norwegian for teaching or other purposes which require good language skills. Spanish may also be selected as a component of the degree. Applicants must meet general admission requirements.

Aim of the Programme

The Specialisation in English provides a thorough introduction to British and American literature and culture, insight into conditions in the rest of the English-speaking world, a broad foundation in English grammar and phonetics and the uses of spoken English.

The Specialisation in Norwegian provides a thorough introduction to Norwegian and Scandinavian languages and literature from the Middle Ages to the present, in a broad cultural context. The four courses which compose the one-year programme in Norwegian, with a total of 60 ECTS credits (see below), ensure a broad understanding and insight of the subject, and qualify the candidates to teach Norwegian at various types of schools.

Spanish language and culture may be chosen in combination with either of the above specialisation alternatives, and enables those who complete the unit to teach in primary and lower secondary schools.

Further Education opportunities

The Bachelor’s degree in Literature and Language offers an interesting, useful and varied education which may serve as a foundation for working in schools and a number of other areas such as publishers, mass media, information work, tourism and international work, etc. The study programme has a flexible structure: you may choose a specialisation course of 80 ECTS credits in either English or Norwegian; or you may take a full specialisation programme of 180 ECTS credits (including Ex. Phil and Ex.Fac, i.e. introductory courses) in English; or you may take up to 100 ECTS credits in Norwegian. Up to 60 ECTS credits in Spanish may be included in the degree. In all cases, it is possible to pursue parts of the study programme at a foreign university with which Telemark University College has a cooperation programme The alternative with full specialisation in English includes a whole year of study abroad. Specialisation in Norwegian and English provides students with teaching competence in these subjects if they have taken at least 20 ECTS credits in language and the equivalent in literature, and if they have taken a postgraduate teaching course. Students who wish to work in schools are advised to combine an 80 ECTS credits specialisation course with a one-year programme in another school subject.

Some courses may also be included in other Bachelor degrees.

A Bachelor’s degree in Literature and Language provides the basis for applying to the Master’s degree in Cultural Studies at Telemark University and Master’s degree programmes at other university colleges and universities (with the reservation that there may be special requirements for other programmes).

Curriculum and structure

Specialisation in English: Please note that the courses on offer may vary from year to year. Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) S5(A) S6(V) 2005 Introduction to English Language 10.00 O 10           2001 Introduction to British Studies 10.00 O 10           2004 American Topics 10.00 O 10           2002 British Literature and Society 1600-1915 10.00 O   10         2003 Introduction to American Studies 10.00 O   10         2006 Sounds and Structures of the English Language 10.00 O   10         2025 Social and Regional Accents of English 10.00 O     10       2027 Fiction and film: reception and adaptation 10.00 O     10       3524 Examen Philosophicum (foundation course) 10.00 O     10       Valemne Elective courses 10.00 V       10     Valemne Elective courses 10.00 V       10     2701 Linguistics 10.00 O       10     Total: 30 30 30 30 0 0 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

Specialisation in Norwegian: Please note that the courses on offer may vary from year to year. Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) S5(A) S6(V) 2111 Grammar and Pragmatics 15.00 O 15           2113 Literature pre-1900 15.00 O 15           2112 Development of Nordic Languages and Variation 15.00 O   15         2114 Literature after 1900 15.00 O   15         2116 The Language of Youth 10.00 O     10       2115 Fantastic Literature 10.00 O     10       3524 Examen Philosophicum (foundation course) 10.00 O     10       2107 Folk Poetry and Folk Culture 10.00 O       10     Valemne Elective courses 10.00 O       10     2701 Linguistics 10.00 O       10     Total: 30 30 30 30 0 0 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

Students may choose a specialisation course in Norwegian or English.

Specialisation in English: At least 80 ECTS credits, possibly up to 90 ECTS credits. Students may also choose 160 ECTS credits English by studying abroad for the third year at a university with which Telemark University College has a cooperation agreement. Alternatively, students may choose a specialisation course in English of 80 (or 90) ECTS credits. The remaining 80 (70) ECTS credits may be selected within the study programmes, Norwegian or Spanish, or other subject areas of the Department.

Specialisation in Norwegian: At least 80 ECTS credits, possibly up to 100 ECTS credits. The remaining 80 ECTS credits may be include courses, course groups or one-year study programmes in English, Spanish or other subject areas taught at the Department.

Ex. Phil and Linguistics are obligatory courses in both programme alternatives, and these two courses will normally be completed within the first two years of study.

Please note that it is possible to take the courses in a different order than the one shown in the table above.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The teaching and learning methods will include lectures, seminars, written and oral project work and assignments/home assignments. Students who choose English will also take a two-week study trip to the Norwegian Study Centre at York, England.

Assessment Methods

All the courses will include both continuous and final assessment. Assessment methods will vary form course to course but they will include portfolio evaluations, home examinations, oral examinations and formal written examinations. For more information, please refer to the individual course descriptions.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean