Course Objectives

Using Telemark and Norway as examples, students will gain an understanding of how and which different aspects of culture and society are expressed.

Course Description

Assigned and voluntary readings and a series of lectures provide the theoretical basis for understanding social and cultural expressions of the national and regional identity. Do cultural expressions interface with myth and reality? Do aspects of nature influence cultural expression? Do Norwegians today identify with cultural expressions from earlier periods? Students will be encouraged to apply insights from this course to their own national and regional identities. Are expressions in the folk arts and literature relevant today?

Learning Methods

48 hours (ca. 18 hours of study trips and 30 hours of class time), 8 weeks, Spring term. Attendance min. 80%

Lectures, student-lead discussions, journals, field trips, papers, presentations. Teaching language, English. Readings and lectures will be given in English. Oral presentations must be made in English. Written papers and exams may be in either Norwegian or English.

Assessment Methods

Student-led discussions. Assignments count 40% of the final grade. Final Written Project/Paper counts 60% of the final grade. All assessed elements of the course must be passed in order to pass the course. Papers must be original works, not previously used in other courses. Letter grades. Pass/fail by special application.

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