Course Description Welcome to Norwegian 111! Norwegian 111 is the first part of the introductory Norwegian sequence and emphasizes three main areas: 1) learning basic Norwegian vocabulary, structures and functions; 2) using the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening; and 3) exploring Norwegian and American cultures as well as culture in general. Our approach to language teaching is characterized by proficiency, thematic learning, and integration of language and culture topics. We will try to make the classroom as rich a learning environment as possible by using a variety of authentic spoken, written, and visual materials. We will, for example, be searching the Internet for World Wide Web sites in Norwegian, making our own class web site, connecting with Norwegians and other students of Norwegian via e-mail, listening to Norwegian stories on tape, watching Norwegian videos, and reading Norwegian newspapers and magazines. We expect students to be active participants in the learning process and to take responsibility for their own learning. In practical terms, this means preparing for and participating actively in class, but also helping to shape the course content and methods. Textbook and Materials The required materials for this course are Norsk nå (textbook/workbook), Norge etter krigen (CD-ROM), and Folk og røvere i Kardemomme by (audio book). They are available for purchase in the St. Olaf Bookstore. The tapes which accompany the textbook are available for your use in the Language Lab. You will also need a three-ring binder for your assignments, hand-outs, and notes. I will review your notebook at short conferences during the semester. You should make the following sections in your notebook: Norwegian writing assignments (essays and dialogs) Reading assignments (news and web assignments) Listening assignments (Kardemomme by, CD-ROM) Pronunciation and speaking (Pronunciation practice, evening session reports) Culture journal (essays in English about culture, articles about culture) Grammar and vocabulary (Grammar and vocabulary reviews) Workbook pages. Participation (Class activities, Language lab, and Evening sessions) Learning a foreign language has much in common with learning other skills such as playing a sport or a musical instrument. To do well in this course, you need to practice using Norwegian regularly and thoroughly. Thus, it is important that you prepare your homework before class, attend every class period, and participate actively in class discussions and small group work. In my grading system, class participation and homework each count for 15% of your final grade. For each class period, you will have the chance to earn 4 points: 2 for attendance and having homework completed, and 2 for active participation in class. You should have your homework completed and out on your desk during class so I can easily check to see that it is completed. During class, you should each participate actively in class discussions without prompting by me, and you should do the small group work thoroughly. If you finish before the rest of the class when doing small group work, you should go back and do part of it again or you should practice something else related to Norwegian. Students must also spend a minimum of four half-hour periods per week listening to the tapes for the textbook, the CD of Kardemomme by, or the CD-ROM, Norge etter krigen. This time may be spent in the language lab or at home, and students should keep a listening log Once a week, students are required to attend a 15-minute evening session for speaking and listening practice with native Norwegians. Students will sign up for their evening sessions during class. Homework Homework consists of doing the tan workbook pages, writing Norwegian dialogs and essays, reading Norwegian news on the web, listening to the Kardemomme by story, viewing the CD-ROM, and writing about culture. Most of the written work can be done in pen or pencil, but all essay assignments should be typed on a word processor to facilitate the revision process. We would also like to emphasize that students should memorize the vocabulary and phrases listed at the beginning of each chapter section. After completing the tan workbook sheets, students need to check out the answer key from the Language Lab. You should make any necessary corrections in a different color pen, and sign and date the homework at the top of the first page. These workbook pages will be checked briefly in class each day for participation credit and more thoroughly when they are handed in at the end of each chapter on test day. The other parts of the homework assignments will be corrected after each class period by the teacher or the Norwegian assistants. In order to receive credit, the assignment must be complete and handed in during class on the day it is due. Since we have such large classes, we are unable to accept late assignments. Tests and Exams There will be four chapter tests during the semester, after chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5. They will take approximately 50 minutes to write and will include sections for listening, reading, grammar, and writing. In addition, there will be a midterm exam after chapter 3 and a final exam after chapter 7. In connection with both exams, there will be a 10-15 minute oral test to demonstrate speaking skills. Students must take all tests on the scheduled day. Exceptions to this policy will only be granted in cases of serious illness or emergency, and must be requested beforehand. Travel plans should be made with the course calendar in mind. Airline reservations or rides leaving do not constitute emergency. Grading The final grade for this course is based on the following: 15%: Participation (class attendance, daily quizzes, language lab, evening sessions) 15%: Homework Assignments 30%: Chapter Tests 15%: Oral Tests 10%: Midterm Exam 15%: Final Exam The grading scale is shown below. 100-99=A+ 98-94=A 93-92=A- 91-89=B+ 88-85=B 84-83=B- 82-80=C+ 79-77=C 76-75=C- 74-73=D+ 72-71=D 70=D- Co-Curricular Activities on Campus To supplement our courses, the Norwegian Department also offers many co-curricular activities and events, all of which are listed on the department calendar. Students have the opportunity to do the following: participate in the weekly Norwegian Table in the dining hall attend film and discussion evenings sponsored by the Norwegian house go to campus lectures and concerts given by visiting Norwegians attend the annual Norwegian Christmas Service and Seventeenth of May Breakfast Study in Norway The Norwegian Department encourages as many students as possible to experience Norwegian culture first-hand. We cooperate with International and Off-Campus Studies in maintaining a variety of study opportunities in Norway, and we assist students, both majors and non-majors, in planning appropriate study programs in Norway. Contact Solveig Zempel for more information on the study abroad progams. The Oslo Year Scandinavian Urban Studies Term (SUST) (sponsored by HECUA) Oslo International Summer School