Course Objectives

The course aims to give students a broad overview of central tendencies and lines of development in Norwegian intellectual thought from the Middle Ages until the present. Students will learn how Norwegian beliefs and ideas evolved in a European and Nordic, as well as a distinctly Norwegian context. The course will help students develop a deeper understanding of Norwegian culture as it appears today.

Course Description

The curriculum of around 800 pages is divided into two equally large components. Students will read excerpts from Norsk idéhistorie, for a general overview, in addition to a selection of original texts, mainly from the anthology Norsk tro og tanke. The original texts are divided into the following eight areas: (1) belief and doubt; (2) the national; (3) politics and ideology; (4) views of women and feminism; (5) poetry; (6) classics of science; (7) manners and education; (8) the battle of the Norwegian language(s)

The course will demonstrate how different ideas and positions oppose each other within different areas, at the same time revealing their interconnectivity. Students must write a term paper, the topic of which must be agreed with the supervisor. Compulsory supervision.

Learning Methods

Lectures and seminars 3 – 4 hours per week.

Assessment Methods

A mid-term examination counts for 40% of the final grade. Final written examination counts for 60%. Students must receive passing marks in both the mid-term examination and the final examination in order to achieve a passing mark for the course. Graded marks.

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