Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

The student will:

• Acquire knowledge of the characteristics and the basic concepts of history, geography and civics.
• Acquire knowledge about key developments in Norwegian society.
• Acquire basic knowledge of the Norwegian Viking and High Middle Ages.
• Gain an overview of, and insight into, basic geographical topics, such as internal and external forces, landscape, population and industry - with an emphasis on Norway.
• Acquire knowledge and understanding of issues relating to migration and multicultural societies.
• Acquire knowledge of social studies as a school and academic subject.

SKILLS

The Student will:

• Be able to use knowledge of the subject and didactic skills when teaching social studies in years 5-7.
• Be able to plan, lead and evaluate pupils’ learning activities and provide learning-oriented feedback.
• Be able to help pupils work independently within the framework of the school subject.
  

GENERAL SKILLS

The student will:

• Be able to communicate and collaborate with children and parents from different social and cultural backgrounds.
• Have knowledge of children and adolescents’ understanding of the subject and their learning.
• Be able to provide training in basic skills within the framework of the school subject.

Course Description

The content of the SAM 501 course focuses on Norwegian social and natural conditions, and will provide skills, which will enable students to teach basic courses in history, geography and civics in years 5-10. The point of departure for the teaching social studies is the pupils’ environment, the local area (natural and cultural landscape), textbooks and different kinds of resources such as, Internet, oral and written sources, maps, statistics, newspapers and museums.

The course provides a foundation for the development of perspectives on Norway’s position in a larger world (cf. SAM 502, 503 and 504). This involves creating connections between civics as knowledge about the world, and the pupils’ own world.

With regards to HISTORY, the course includes the Viking Age and the High Middle Ages. In GEOGRAPHY we will focus on internal and external forces, landscape, population, industry and environment in Norway. Civics includes topics such the key developments in Norwegian society and migration as well as topics related to living in a multicultural society.

Knowledge of social studies as an academic subject, and as a school subject, is an important part of the course, as well as DIDACTIC skills and expertise. This includes adaptation of teaching to different groups of learners, as well as guidance of pupils in important skills such as independence, reflection and collaboration.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course will use varied and active learning methods such as, class discussions, lectures, seminars, working with sources, ICT, writing assignments and participation in field trips / fieldwork.

In connection with the seminar, the students will work in groups with assignments / questions, which will be presented to the class. Excursion (s) / field work will be arranged in connection with the work on basic geography.

Part of teaching is mandatory. This includes the seminars with presentations, participation in field trips / field work, etc., and teaching involving practical and didactic activities. More information can be found in the semester schedule concerning what parts of the course are mandatory.

Assessment Methods

- Group report from the excursion / fieldwork. Evaluated on a pass / fail basis

- Oral group presentation of the seminar assignment. Counts 1 / 3 of the final grade.

- Written 4-hour examination. Counts 2 / 3 of the final grade.

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