Kurs

Nancy Aarsvold
OM 14B

231A (905-1000)

3752 / 507-931-9661
aarsvoln@stolaf.edu

man/ons/fre (11-11.45)
eller ved avtale

Margaret Hayford O'Leary
OM 14C

231B (1045-1140)
231C (1400-14.55)

3569 / 645-8773
oleary@stolaf.edu

man/ons (15-16.30) tirs/tors (14-15)

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 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 i sammenheng by Margaret Hayford O'Leary and Frankie Shackelford. 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 divide your notebook into the following sections: 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 three points for attendance and active participation in each class period.

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 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.

Each homework assignment is worth three points. In order to receive credit, the assignment must be complete and handed in during class on the day it is due. At the end of the semester, we will drop the two lowest scores on homework assignments.

Tests and Exams

There will be five chapter tests during the semester, after chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7. 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 4 and a final exam after chapter 8. 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:

• 10%: Attendance and Participation (class, language lab, discussion sessions)
• 10%: Homework Assignments
• 35%: Chapter Tests
• 20%: Oral Tests
• 10%: Midterm Exam
• 15%: Final Exam

The grading scale is shown below.

100-97=A+ 96-93-=A 92-90=A-

89-87=B+ 86-83=B 82-80=B-

79-77=C+ 76-73=C 72-70=C-

69-67=D+ 66-63=D 62-60=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 in 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
• Scandinavian Seminar's Nature and Culture Program at Telemark College, Bø