Contact Information

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 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

There are three required books for this course, all of which are part of the Sett i gang curriculum by Nancy Aarsvold and Kari Lie:

a) Sett i gang I: Textbook ($58.95),
b) Sett i gang I: Workbook ($12.95), and
c) Sett i gang I and II: Glossary ($6.95).

These books are available for purchase from Jennifer Bothun in the Old Main Secretary's office for a price of $80.00 ($78.85 + $1.15 for shipping). Please bring cash or a check written to "NorWords." The books are also available for purchase at www.lulu.com/settigang, but the price for shipping will be higher. You will also need a three-ring binder to keep hand-outs, corrected homework, and notes organized.

Participation

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. Class participation and homework together count for 25% of your final grade.

For each class period, you will be graded on your active participation in class. To receive full credit, you need to be prepared for class, participate actively in class discussions without prompting by your instructor, and 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.

Homework

You will need to set aside approximately 3 hours to do your homework between class sessions: 2 hours for reading / writing / learning the vocabulary and 1 hour for listening / speaking. The written homework consists of doing the workbook pages and Moodle exercises, writing Norwegian dialogs and essays, reading and responding to Norwegian news on the web, and writing about culture. Homework may be neatly hand-written, but all essay assignments should be typed on a computer to facilitate the revision process.

To develop your comprehension and pronunciation, you will be listening to the texts from the textbook, doing the listening exercises in the workbook, viewing short videos, and posting short audio responses on the Wimba voice board. You should spend a minimum of three half hour periods per week working on listening comprehension. The audio is available for free online at www.norwords.com. You may listen online, or you may download the audio files to your computer or MP3 player.

In order to receive credit, the homework assignments must be complete, stapled together, labeled with your full name and section letter, and handed in on the day it is due. We will not accept late assignments. If you know you must miss a class, you should send your homework to class with another student. The Moodle exercises must be completed by 7:00 am on the day they are due.

Co-curricular Activities

In addition to class, you will also have many opportunities to use your Norwegian outside class in more informal, real-world settings. These activities will help you to improve your speaking and listening skills, acquire a better understanding of modern Norwegian culture, and give you the chance to get to know the professors, the students and guests from Norway, and the American students studying Norwegian. Since there will be many co-curricular activities offered each semester, you may choose the events that are most interesting and helpful for you. The co-curricular activities range from informal barbeques, coffee hours, and conversation tables to more formal lectures, concerts, and art exhibitions. Please see the department calendar for the current schedule of events and read the complete description of co-curricular activities on the web.

During the semester, you are required to attend eight activities, four that are focus on communication (conversation table, social events, interviews) and four that emphasize comprehension (film evenings, lectures, panel discussions). For each activity you attend, you need to sign your name on the attendance sheet, take notes at the event, and write a summary / response paper afterward. The summary / response papers should be typed (12 pt font and 1 inch margins) and include 1/2 page of summary describing what occurred at the event and 1/2 page of your response to the event. For the more informal events such as conversation table and barbecues, your summary should include the names of the people you met and what you learned about them through your conversation in Norwegian. You should turn in your summary / response papers and your notes to your teacher within a week of attending the event.

You should turn in four of your co-curricular responses before mid-term (Monday, Oct. 20) and four before your final exam in December. We recommend that you make a plan for completing this requirement at the beginning of the semester.

Tests

This semester, there will be three written chapter tests, an oral assessment, and a comprehensive final exam. 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.

Grading

The final grade for this course is based on the following:

Honor Policy

The Honor System has been in effect at St. Olaf since 1911. When examinations are given, teachers leave the room and the students complete the test on their honor. At the end of the exam, the students consider the following pledge: " I pledge my honor that during this examination I have neither given nor received assistance, and that I have seen no dishonest work." If a student has observed a violation of the honor policy, then the student should leave the pledge unsigned and check the box indicating that he/she has intentionally not signed the pledge. More information about the honor system can be found in the print or the web version of "The Book."

In addition, there are very clear guidelines given in "The Book" about refraining from plagiarism. While we encourage you to find a study partner for this course, your homework and essays should always be your own work and not a copy of another person's work. If you are working with a tutor, you may ask your tutor questions about an essay you are writing, for example, but the tutor may not correct your homework or essays before you had them in. Any evidence of plagiarism on homework or essays will result in a severe lowering of a student's final grade for the course.

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 Anne Sabo for more information on the study abroad programs.