Target Group and Admission Requirements

Students must meet general admission requirements.

Students should note that history is a demanding subject. The study programme involves a considerable amount of reading, and the subject requires that students are capable of effectively expressing themselves in writing. Part of the syllabus has not been translated to any Nordic language, so students must be able to read English well. Experience has shown that students who have lower grades in Norwegian or English than the equivalent of a 3 or 4 often find completing the study programme problematic.

Further Education opportunities

The one-year study programme in history is a foundation programme, which, in combination with other study programmes from university colleges and/ or universities, may lead to a Bachelor’s degree.

One may also take the study programme as the fourth year in a general-teacher education study programme.

The one-year study programme and the advanced study programme in combination provide 80-90 ECTS credits, which cover the requirement for subject specialisation in a Bachelor’s degree programme. This combination also satisfies the specific history requirement in a Bachelor’s-degree programme for those who seek admission to a Master’s-degree programme in history at university. Students may also use a Bachelor’s degree with subject specialisation in history as a basis for a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies at Telemark University College.

History as a subject is well-suited to a media education, for example in combination with journalism or specialisation in another media. Together with other social sciences, cultural subjects or economics, the study of history may provide employment within public or private administration. If students continue to study history at Master’s level, they will have an independent education in history at a high level which may qualify them for teaching positions, work in museums, archive or the like, or in similar fields. Qualification as a historical-researcher builds upon a Master’s degree.

Curriculum and structure

Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) 3501 From the Birth of Democracy to the Fall of the Bastille. World History before 1750 10.00 O 10   3502 Towards one World. World History after 1800 10.00 O 10   3503 Elective in World History 10.00 O 10   3504 Overview of Norwegian History before 1800 10.00 O   10 3505 Overview of Norwegian History after 1800 10.00 O   10 3506 Norwegian history – Advanced Course 10.00 O   10 Total: 30 30 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

The study programme is divided into two semesters. World history is taught in the autumn semester, and Norwegian history in the spring semester. The instruction in the history of theory, method and didactics may be integrated in different ways; refer to the curriculum for the respective semester. The dissemination aspect will be integrated into the whole of the study programme. For students who use the study programme as the fourth year in a general teacher education study programme, special guidelines apply in connection with home assignments in 3506.
Syllabus lists with information about course books and required reading will be provided for different courses with regard to elective courses in world history and specialisation courses in Norwegian history. In the overview parts, reading lists will be provided, or in certain cases, proposed reading lists with information concerning goals and relevant literature.
Students and teachers who want to replace parts of the regular curriculum with other material may obtain approval from the study programme co-ordinator.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Mandatory coursework requirements may be specified, including submission of assignments in the various courses. Fulfilment of mandatory requirements is a condition for being permitted to take the examination in the course. These are not assessed in the context of the examination, but are an addition to the mandatory home assignments that are part of the examination / assessment.
The teaching staff may call the student in for a consultation before the final approval of the submitted assignments.
The teaching and learning methods will alternate between lectures and seminars. In the seminars, part of the curriculum will be examined in more detail, and students will receive training in assignment writing.

Some assignments will be included in the examination (refer to examination / assessment).
When the pedagogical considerations justify it, a stipulated maximum number of students may be stipulated for individual seminar groups. To work effectively, the seminar groups depend on even and good attendance. Students with large absenteeism may lose the right to follow the instruction in the respective group. Programme co-ordinators may stipulate rules for attendance in the respective groups. As a rule, the instruction is not mandatory, and students may register for the examination without having followed the teaching. However, it is recommended that students attend the teaching. If parts of the teaching are compulsory, this will be specified in the semester plan for history.

Mandatory requirements for submission of assignments etc. apply to all students (including private students and students taking re-sit examinations, unless they are granted exemption).
Towards the end of the academic year, students will benefit greatly from participating in study groups in order to discuss the curriculum and aspects of the study programme.

Assessment Methods

An examination in world history is normally held in the autumn semester, and in Norwegian history in the spring semester, cf. information below about the evaluation in the respective courses (3501-3506). A grade will be allocated in each course / examination, where A to E represent passing marks, and F a fail. Forms of assessment may alternate between portfolio assessment / home assignments, mid-term examinations and a final examination in accordance with the University College examination Regulations. For practical considerations, extraordinary and re-sit examinations may be conducted differently from the regular examination. This is described in the respective course descriptions, and / or the full curriculum for history. Information may be found on the history homepage.
Students must make themselves familiar with, and comply with, the information that is given in the study guide / semester plan regarding course registration, registration for the examination, reading requirements, the submission of assignments etc.
In the case of home assignments that are included in the assessment, the teaching staff / examiner may require the individual student to attend a supplementary oral examination.

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