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Table of Contents Academic Life Academic Regulations The Academic Programs International and Off-Campus Studies Special Programs Admissions and Financial Aid Life Outside the Classroom People Facts and Figures College Calendar |
Norwegian http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/norwegian/ Chair, 2000-01: Solveig Zempel, Norwegian literature and language Faculty, 2000-01: Nancy Aarsvold, Norwegian language, language pedagogy, instructional technology; Torild Homstad, Norwegian literature and language; Marte Hult, Norwegian literature and language; Odd S. Lovoll, immigration and Scandinavian history; Margaret Hayford O'Leary, Norwegian literature and language; Anne Sabo, Norwegian literature and language Students at St. Olaf have the opportunity to study a unique subject -- Norwegian. St.Olaf is one of a few colleges and universities where students can use Norwegian to complete their foreign language requirement -- and beyond the requirement can study the language, literature, culture, and history of Norway in depth. In addition to graduating with a major in Norwegian, St. Olaf students have many opportunities to study and travel in Norway. The study of Norwegian opens the door to another culture and another way of viewing the world and develops skills in communication, research, analytical thinking, and writing that are essential to a liberal education and are useful in a wide range of careers. You will learn about Norway's role in high technology, environmental awareness, social equality and international peace initiatives. Some of the world's best literature awaits discovery by students of Norwegian: works by authors like Ibsen, Hamsun, and Undset, as well as by writers who have not been translated into English. Norwegian also enables many students to explore their cultural heritage, and encourages contact with relatives and friends in Norway. OVERVIEW OF THE MAJOR The Norwegian major allows students to gain competence in the Norwegian language and an understanding of Norwegian society through a combination of courses in the language, literature, history and culture of Norway. Norwegian majors are encouraged to use their language skills for learning in other disciplines, and to experience the culture first-hand through study in Norway. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR The required courses are Norwegian 111, 112, 231, 232, 253, 371, 372, and History 224, plus one additional upper level course. A minimum of six courses must be taken on campus. DISTINCTION Distinction in Norwegian should reflect a special interest in some aspect of Norwegian language and culture. A distinction paper or project may spring out of course work, but must go beyond and must incorporate some public activity, whether that be print publication, website development, oral presentation or other public performance. SPECIAL PROGRAMS The Norwegian Department sponsors many speakers and activities such as the annual Christmas service and Seventeenth of May breakfast and provides students with the opportunity to live in a language house with a native speaker assistant. The Norwegian-American Historical Association, a rich source of information on Norwegian immigration, is housed in Rolvaag Memorial Library. Many students choose to study in Norway on a variety of programs. For information on the Oslo International Summer School and the International Studies program in Norway, consult the Index. COURSES LANGUAGE COURSES Proficiency in a second language opens the door to another culture and another way of viewing the world. This course starts students on the road to achieving such a proficiency. Students begin learning to speak, understand, read, and write Norwegian and learn about Norwegian culture through the language. Offered Fall and Spring Semester. Students continue developing proficiency in spoken and written Norwegian, increasing their vocabulary, improving grammatical accuracy, and gaining experience reading and listening to authentic materials. Prerequisite: Norwegian 111, or equivalent. Offered Fall and Spring Semester. Students improve proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing, with an emphasis on communication as well as improved grammatical accuracy. Reading and discussion of authentic literary and cultural texts allow students to expand their vocabulary and knowledge of the Norwegian way of life. Prerequisite: Norwegian 112, or equivalent. GE: FOL-N. Offered Fall and Spring Semester. This course is a continuation of the approach of Norwegian 231, in which authentic cultural and literary texts provide the basis for writing and discussion on topics such as health, work, Norwegian history, society, politics, environmental issues, and minorities in Norway. Materials include feature film and a contemporary novel. Prerequisite: Norwegian 231, or equivalent. GE: FOL-N. Offered Spring Semester only. 253 Advanced Conversation and Composition Students gain insight into Norwegian identity and culture, expand vocabulary, and improve fluency and grammatical accuracy by reading a variety of texts and writing essays. Speaking assignments help students understand readings and become more effective speakers. These assignments include a news broadcast, a debate, and an oral presentation of the final paper. Prerequisite: Norwegian 232, or equivalent. GE: FOL-N, ORC. Offered Fall Semester only. 298 Independent Study 371 Norsk litteratur fra sagaene til 1890 (Norwegian Literature from the Saga Period to 1890) A study of Norwegian literature from the Saga period through Ibsen, this chronological overview examines literary developments in the context of historical, cultural, and linguistic change. Lectures, essays, and class discussion are in Norwegian. Prerequisite: Norwegian 253, or equivalent. GE: FOL-N, ALS-L. Offered Fall Semester only. 372 Norsk litteratur fra 1890 til i dag (Norwegian Literature from 1890 to the Present) A study of Norwegian literature from 1890 to the present, this chronological overview places contemporary Norwegian literature in the context of historical, cultural, and linguistic change and relates Norwegian literature to international trends. Lectures, essays, and class discussion are in Norwegian. Prerequisite: Norwegian 253 or equivalent. GE: FOL-N, ALS-L. Offered Spring Semester only. SCANDINAVIAN
LITERATURE AND CULTURE 233 Nordic Literature: Medieval to Modern Students explore great works in Nordic literature from the medieval period through the twentieth century, including mythology, Icelandic sagas, Norwegian folktales, and works by eminent writers such as Holberg, Hans Christian Andersen, Ibsen, Strindberg, and Hamsun. The focus is on literary development in its historical and cultural context. Readings, discussion, lectures and written assignments are in English. GE: ALS-L. History 224 Modern Scandinavia The Scandinavian social-democratic welfare states, developed fully in the decades after World War II, were praised by some and reviled by others. Today the welfare state is in crisis, mainly due to insufficient resources. Through a survey of social, economic, and political developments from about 1800 to the present, students trace the Scandinavian roots of the welfare state. Foreign Language Across the Curriculum course available in Norwegian. GE: HWC. 294 Internship 298 Independent Study Students analyze the plays of Henrik Ibsen in English translation using a variety of critical approaches. Students investigate ethical issues and themes in Ibsen's plays by examining the plays through the lens of ethics, using readings in ethical theory to better understand both the ethical issues and the plays themselves. Students will also study Ibsen's dramatic technique and the historical and literary context of his work. Prerequisite: completion of BTS-T. GE: EIN. 394 Internship 398 Independent Research 399 Seminar |