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 textbook for this course is Norsk nå by Nancy Aarsvold. It is 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 workbook and homework assignments. You should make the following sections in your notebook: reading assignments, writing assignments, grammar and vocabulary hand-outs, and homework assignments.

Attendance and Participation

Students are required to attend all class sessions and participate actively in discussions and small group work. Active participation requires that students come to class with homework completed so that they are prepared to use Norwegian in a variety of contexts. Students can earn up to four points for daily quizzes and active participation in each class period. The daily quizzes will be based on the previous homework assignment and focus on a variety of skills such as listening, reading, writing, and grammar.

Language Lab

Students must also attend a minimum of three half-hour periods per week in the language lab. This time is to be spent listening to the tapes which accompany the textbook or supplementary material assigned by the instructors. Language lab tapes are intended for practice, so they should be listened to more than once.

Homework

Homework consists of the yellow workbook pages, web assignments, video assignments, and writing assignments. Most of these 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 yellow workbook sheets, students need to check out the answer key from the Norwegian Department Office, the Language Lab, or the Library. They 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 should be kept in order in the course notebook since the teachers will check off the completed homework during the class period.

The other parts of the homework assignments will be corrected after each class period by the teacher or the Norwegian assistants. Each homework assignment is worth four points. In order to receive credit, the assignment must be complete and handed in at the beginning of class on the day it is due. We accept no late assignments.

Tests and Exams

There will be five chapter tests during the semester, after chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. 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%: Attendance and Participation (class, language lab, discussion 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. 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