Introduction

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.

In Norwegian 2, the student will gain extensive research-based insight into the Norwegian language, texts and didactics. The historical perspective of the subject Norwegian and the Norwegian language will be emphasised. The student will gain insight into how the Norwegian language has changed over time, and its relationship to other Nordic languages. The study programme will provide the student with research-based insight into various reading and writing theories with particular emphasis on the lower secondary level.

Common to the third and fourth modules is the focus on language and texts in the past and present. The study programme is research-based, i.e. the teaching is based on research-based knowledge, and the students will read academic texts and write assignments following the principles for academic writing. The subject Norwegian is a text-based subject; consequently, students will also receive an introduction to the basic theory of interpretation (hermeneutics).

Target Group and Admission Requirements

Teachers who wish to continue their education in Norwegian language and literature. Norwegian 2 builds on Norwegian 1 or equivalent.

Aim of the Programme

The programme will prepare students professionally and didactically to teach Norwegian at the lower secondary level. Norwegian 2 builds on Norwegian 1 and allows for a greater degree of subject specialization in language teaching and didactics. The course NOR 503 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, as well as take a critical look at questions concerning the literary canon.

The course NOR 504 further explores the topics that have been examined in the previous modules. Students will examine the theoretical aspects of literature and discuss the use of traditional literature in schools. Topics related to youth and reading are addressed, with an emphasis on discussion of reading didactics. The course also focuses on the history of the subject Norwegian, and students will gain a deeper understanding of language-didactics. In addition to the common topics in the course, students will choose either linguistic or literary specialisation that includes a self-chosen specialisation curriculum.

Learning outcome

The learning outcomes are described in the course descriptions for NOR 503 and NOR 504.

Curriculum and structure

Norwegian 2 consists of two courses: NOR 503 and NOR 504, each of 15 ECTS credits.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The teaching and learning in the programme is organized in various ways: joint lectures, seminars, tutoring in groups and assignment writing. Information concerning the teaching and activities that are compulsory will be given in the semester plan. The programme strongly emphasises the development of the student’s writing skills.

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment consists of compulsory coursework; information concerning the compulsory coursework is provided in the semester plan. The student must achieve passing marks in the coursework before he/she will be permitted to take the exam.

The final assessment for NOR 503 consists of an individual, written exam of 6 hours, where the language form is Nynorsk (a form of Norwegian). No examination aids are permitted, nor glossaries. The examination will be assessed with a letter grade from A to F, where A is the highest and E the lowest passing grade.

The final assessment for NOR 504 consists of an oral exam and a written home exam where the Norwegian language form is optional. The candidate will be given a single letter grade from A to F, where A is the highest and E is the lowest passing grade. The home exam counts for 60% of the grade, and the oral exam counts for 40%.

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