Learning outcome

The subject Norwegian in the General Teacher Education study programme concerns identity, culture, education and our relationship to the past and present. It will enable candidates to view themselves in a larger, multi-cultural context. An important focus for Norwegian teachers in the lower secondary school focus is to further develop the reading, oral and written skills in Norwegian of the 11-16 year olds.

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

The candidate can give an account of:

- How lower secondary school pupils can further develop their writing skills, both pupils who have Norwegian as their first language and those who have Norwegian as their second language

- A variety of dialects in modern Norwegian from a historical and dialectological perspective

- Norwegian language history and the current norms for bokmål and nynorsk

- Adolescents’ use of language

- Key aspects of Norwegian literature, and discuss the place of various texts in literary history

Skills

The candidate can:

- Compare texts written for adolescents and adults with regard to content, form and function

- Use knowledge of spoken and written language norms in writing instruction

- Facilitate and implement the teaching of the pupil’s second-choice form of Norwegian (i.e. bokmål or nynorsk)

- Discuss important Norwegian texts and a selection of Sámi texts (in translation) in a historical perspective, and in the context of Nordic and international literature

General competence

The candidate is able to:

- Work with language and texts in the multicultural classroom, develop pupils’ language and cultural understanding and guide pupils in their work

- Express himself/herself clearly and confidently, orally and in both written language forms of Norwegian

- Use knowledge of the subject for critical and constructive reflection, and for evaluating the subject of Norwegian and his/her own practice as a teacher of Norwegian

- Reflect on the subject of Norwegian on the basis of research and in relation to the history of the subject; view the subject in a larger educational perspective; and contribute to the development of local curricula in the subject

- Plan, implement and evaluate Norwegian teaching at different levels from Years 5 - 10, and use a range of assessment methods

Course Description

Language and Literature in Historical Perspective is the title of the third Norwegian course in the study programme GLU 5-10 (General Teacher Education for Years 5-10).

The course focuses on a historical perspective, and examines both linguistic and literary topics. The language courses are related to both present, and past, e.g. language history, the language of adolescents and didactics for the second-choice form of Norwegian. Students should also read traditional and more recent fiction, essays and non-fiction, and also consider a comparative approach in relation to Nordic and international literature.

Common to the third and fourth courses is the focus on language and texts in the past and present. The course uses research; for instance, by using research-based knowledge. In addition, students will apply theoretical and methodological principles when writing their assignments. The course in Norwegian is a text-based subject; consequently, students will also receive an introduction to the basic theory of interpretation (hermeneutics).

Teaching and Learning Methods

The teaching and learning methods are varied and include: joint lectures, seminars, supervision in groups, writing groups, short courses, Fronter and the use of portfolios. Students will work on course assignments in relation to the period of teaching practice, and they will also be involved in activities working across disciplines. The course also places a strong emphasis on developing the writing skills of the students.

The semester plan is a binding document that specifies the content of the course, mandatory requirements and information concerning the practical implementation of the course.

Assessment Methods

Students will be evaluated on their presentation portfolio as well as an individual written examination.

The portfolio will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. The portfolio should contain an equal number of texts in Nynorsk and Bokmål. Portfolio requirements are specified in the semester plan.

The written examination will be assessed with a grade on a scale from A to F, where A represents the highest and E is the lowest passing grade. The examination has a duration of 6 hours, and the language form is Nynorsk.

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