Programme description for Bachelor's Programme in Nordic Language and Literature (2025–2028)

Knowledge

Upon completion of the programme, students should have

• Broad knowledge about Norwegian and Nordic language and literature.
• Insight in theories about textual, linguistic, and literary expressions.
• Understanding and knowledge about connections between language, literature, and society, both from historical and contemporary perspectives.
• Knowledge of research and development work in the subject area and be able to update their knowledge within the field.

Skills

Upon completion of the programme, students should be able to

• Analyse linguistic and literary expressions.
• Reflect on linguistic and literary expression in a broad cultural context, both from historical and contemporary perspectives.
• Express a personal and reflective relationship to Norwegian and Nordic language and literature
• Explore an academic problem, and be able to plan and implement minor research and development work within the field of study.
• Express and disseminate their professional insights, orally and in writing, and master both Norwegian language variants.

General competence

Upon completion of the programme, students should

• Have insight into issues that are relevant to the subject of Nordic studies.
• Be able to reflect on the place of Nordic studies in society, and their own understanding of and approach to it.
• In a reflective manner be able to relate to and exchange views on the subject, its distinctive nature, and central issues.
• Be able to apply and disseminate knowledge and insight in relevant professional situations.

The student will also have knowledge, skills, and general competence in accordance with the chosen minor subject.

Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

Admission based on specific recognition.

To be admitted to the second year of the bachelor's programme the following requirements must be met:

A one-year programme in Nordic languages or literature comprising:

30 ECTS credits in language courses, where a minimum of 10 ECTS credits must be within Norwegian/Nordic grammar/linguistics.

30 ECTS credits in literary courses within Norwegian/Nordic literature

Students must master and have documented knowledge in both Norwegian language variants.

The study programme provides an introduction to and in-depth study of Norwegian and Nordic languages and literature, both past and present. It provides insight into relevant theories of textual, linguistic, and literary expression, and understanding and knowledge about the connection between language, literature, and society.

This is a bachelor’s programme with a specialization unit (major). The bachelor’s programme in Nordic Languages and Literature has a major of 90 ECTS credits. At level 1 (the first year) a minimum of 30 credits must be language courses and a minimum of 30 credits must be literary. Furthermore, at least one course at the advanced level (level 2) of 20 credits, and a bachelor’s thesis of 10 credits must be included.

Six courses are included in the major. They are offered in the first year and are identical with the courses in the one-year programme.

The advanced courses (level 2) are offered in the second year. They give the opportunity for specialisation and deeper understanding of the subject. The following courses are included:

NO-220 Writing technology from runes to chatbots

NO-222 Literary Theory and Text Analysis, or NO-223 Nordic Languages

NO-211 Bachelor’s Thesis

Minor subject in the third year:
For the minor, students make a choice between relevant one-year programmes and other subject components. Choose either a one-year study programme (60 ECTS credits), two minor subject components/electives (30 ECTS credits each) or one 30 ECTS credits component and 30 ECTS credits of freely chosen courses.

Students who want to be a teacher should choose school subjects in the 3rd year.

Sustainability competence

The programme yields competences relevant for the following sustainable development goals:

• Good education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• Peace, justice, and effective institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
• Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

The forms of assessment are varied and partly follow from the fact that the Nordic subject is both a written and an oral subject. For forms of assessment in the individual courses, see the course descriptions and supplementary information given at the start of the semester.

There is a requirement for language form for the courses in the first year, in the sense that the written exams must be written in a specified language form (Bokmål or Nynorsk), see the course descriptions. It is not possible to apply for an exemption from this target form requirement.

The forms of assessment are varied and partly follow from the fact that the Nordic subject is both a written and an oral subject. For forms of assessment in the individual courses, see the course descriptions and supplementary information given at the start of the semester.

There is a requirement for language form for the courses in the first year, in the sense that the written exams must be written in a specified language form (Bokmål or Nynorsk), see the course descriptions. It is not possible to apply for an exemption from this target form requirement.

Through the bachelor’s programme, students will study Norwegian and Nordic languages and literature. The language of teaching is Norwegian, and the prescribed texts are mainly in Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish. However, the fact that the research on Nordic languages and literature contains international impulses and perspectives is reflected in lectures and literature. This is most apparent in the more advanced courses (level 2). The courses in the bachelor’s programme are open to and have had foreign students.

Student exchange may be arranged but take note of the recommendation of choosing a teaching subject if you plan on becoming a teacher. Exchange abroad may take place in term 3 or 4 by agreement – preferably in one of the Nordic countries. It is also possible to study at one of our other options for student exchange during term 5 and/or 6. For more information on studying abroad, visit the university’s site for student exchange.

The programme qualifies students for admission to a master’s degree programme in Nordic Languages and Literature, and it may be included in a course of study that qualifies to work as a teacher in Lower Secondary School, Upper Secondary Education, and adult education centres. Furthermore, the bachelor's programme can qualify students for case work in the public sector, in the cultural sector, for work in bookstores, publishing houses and libraries, for journalism, advertising and information, as well as for work with communication of Norwegian culture abroad.

Bachelor's Degree in Nordic Language and Literature.

Courses for international students (NOU-courses) cannot be included in the bachelor’s programme Nordic language and literature.

It is a requirement that all students at UiA have their own portable computer ("laptop") for use in teaching and examinations, see Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §12d.