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OM 14B |
231B (11.50-12.45) 231C (14.00-14.55) |
aarsvoln@stolaf.edu |
torsdag, 10-11 |
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Course Description Welcome to Norwegian 231! Norwegian 231 is the first part of the intermediate Norwegian sequence and emphasizes three main areas: 1) expanding your base of Norwegian vocabulary, structures and functions; 2) continuing to develop the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening; and 3) exploring Norwegian culture. Together, 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 also speak exclusively Norwegian in the classroom. Our approach to language teaching is characterized by proficiency, thematic learning, and integration of culture and language learning. In addition, we will be searching the Internet for World Wide Web sites in Norwegian, making our own class web site, connecting with Norwegians 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 Stein på stein (textbook/workbook), Kurt Quo Vadis (children's book), Norge i tid og rom (CD-ROM), Sett i gang (CD-ROM), and a packet of extra handouts. The first three are available for purchase in the St. Olaf Bookstore, and the last CD-ROM and the packet can be purchased in the Norwegian department. The textbook includes an audio CD with recordings of the main texts in the book, and the workbook includies a diskette with exercises for use on a Windows computer. In addition, there are tapes for the listening exercises in the workbook available for rental in the Language Lab. You will also need a three-ring binder for your assignments, hand-outs, and notes. You should make the following sections in your notebook:
Learning Foreign Languages 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. Together, class assignments and homework assignents count for 35% of your final grade. Class Assignments For each class period, you will have the chance to earn 4 points for class assignments. To receive full credit, you need to be prepared for class, do well on the short quizzes, participate actively in class discussions without prompting by me, 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 Assignments and Language Lab You will need to set aside approximately 3 hours between each class period to do your homework, 2-2 1/2 hours for the written work and co-curricular activities and 1/2-1 hour for listening. The written homework consists of doing the workbook pages and hand-outs related to the textbook, writing dialogs and essays, reading and responding to Norwegian news on the web, doing exercises for the Kurt Quo Vadis text, and working with the two CD-ROMs . 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. To develop your comprehension, you will be listening to the texts from the textbook on your audio CD that comes with your book and to the Kurt Quo Vadis text on tapes in the language lab. You will also do the the listening exercises in the workbook with the tapes in the language lab and do other listening assignments on the two CD-ROMs. You should spend a minimum of three half hour periods per week in the language lab listening to the tapes and CDs. In order to receive credit, the homework assignments must be complete, stapled together, labeled with your full name and section number, and handed in on the day it is due. If you know you are going to miss class, you should send your homework to class with another student. I will not accept late assignments, but I will drop your two lowest homework scores at the end of the semester. You may also earn extra credit equivalent to two homework assignments by going to two extra co-curricular events and turning in summary/response papers. 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. You can choose the activities you want to attend, but you have to go to a variety of events (not more than four of the same type). 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. You should turn in your summary / response papers and your notes to your teacher within a week of attending the event. You should attend half of the required events before mid-term and half afterwards. We recommend that you make a plan for completing this requirement at the beginning of the semester. Tests and Projects There will be three chapter tests during the semester, after chapters 2, 4, and 6. They will include a 50 minute written section and a 10 minute spoken section. After chapters 1, 3, and 5, there will be short projects that will include a written and a spoken presentation. At the end of the semester, you will turn in a portfolio of your best written work, and you will create a videotaped skit of one of the chapters from Kurt Quo Vadis. Students must take all tests and present projects 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 PolicyThe 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 sign 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 hand them in. Using translators of any type from the internet is also considered to be a type of plagiarism. Any evidence of plagiarism on homework or essays will result in a student receiving a score of 0 on the particular assignment and in a report being sent to the Dean's Office. 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. |
Web site by Nancy Aarsvold.
Last updated: September 1, 2002