Norwegian 2, One-semester, Advanced Programme

Study programme code NOR2-30

ECTS credits 30

Admission requirements Approved examination in Norwegian 1

General description and profile of the programme The course aims to increase students´ professional and didactic competency in working with language and texts while simultaneously allowing specialisation in certain areas. The course will give students good professional and didactic skills for meeting certain of the professional and pedagogical challenges facing Norwegian teachers. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding how specialisation in a certain aspect of the course literature can provide a basis for awaking interest in and stimulating students´ basic skills in reading and writing, and for understanding how working with complex texts can strengthen students´ text comprehension, allowing for various instructional strategies and stimulating students to use digital aids. Norwegian 2 is normally taken as a full-time course of study during autumn semester. There are three 10-sp courses included in the programme. The courses NO-101 Literature and Language Didactics and NO-104 Literature in Variation and Development are obligatory during autumn semester 2008. Students may also choose between NO-103 Language in Variation and Development or NO-123 Norwegian As a Second Language and Cultural Studies. In the obligatory course NO-101 Literature and Language Didactics, didactic reflection regarding "complex texts", which is a central component of the Knowledge Promise educational reform, is central to the course. The examination assignment in NO-101 must be written in New Norwegian.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal) Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

Examination regulations and grading For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

Graduation requirements The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

Learning outcomes After having completed the course, students will - have further developed their professional and didactic skills in working with language and texts - have an understanding and insight into how specialisation in the course literature can provide a good basis for working with students´ basic reading and writing skills - have acquired a better knowledge about and skills concerning how working with complex texts can strengthen students´ text comprehension, allowing for various instructional strategies and stimulating them to use digital learning aids.

Teaching methods There is normally either two hours of lecture and two hours of group work per week or a three-hour seminar session. Instruction in NO-123 is divided into three sessions (usually Thursday evening to Saturday morning) and consists of lectures, discussions and a certain amount of group work. Students taking Norwegian 2 as a component of the third year of general teacher education must complete two weeks of obligatory teaching practice. The practice will be included as a component in NO-101 Literature and Language Didactics, which is obligatory in Norwegian 2. The focus during practice will be how the subject of Norwegian promotes basic skills (reading, writing, speaking, use of learning tools) as well as how to adapt instruction to the relevant school level. Upon completion of practice, students write a practice report which must be approved before they will be allowed to sit the final examination in NO-101. Students taking Norwegian 2 as a component of the fourth year of general teacher education and other teachers taking continuing education write a didactic/practice-oriented research and development report at the same time as the other students in NO-101 are completing their teaching practice. Subject teachers in the course will offer suggestions for research and development work, which is to be completed either individually or in groups.

Assessment methods See individual course descriptions.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies Norwegian 2 qualifies graduates for further study in Norwegian, for example Norwegian 3 and thereafter the Master´s Degree Programme in Nordic Language and Literature. Taking Norwegian 2 and Norwegian 3 during the third year of general teacher education allows students to start the first year of the Master´s degree programme during the fourth year and receive a Master´s degree after a total academic period of five years. Taking Norwegian 2 formally qualifies students for teaching Norwegian at all levels of the school system. Taking Norwegian 3 gives students a solid foundation for becoming a Norwegian teacher or for working with language and texts in other contexts.

Contact person Alf Kjetil Igland (38141568 )