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 and American cultures as well as culture in general. 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.

The textbook for the course is Norsk i sammenheng, a book with an emphasis on 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.

I 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. If students have special topics they would like to cover or activities they would like to do, they should let me know and I will do my best to incorporate them into the course.

Co-Curricular Activities on Campus

To supplement our courses, the Norwegian Department also offers many co-curricular activities and events. All students are required to attend the half hour weekly discussion groups led by native Norwegian students, and they have the opportunity to

• participate in the weekly Norwegian Table in the dining hall
• join the Norwegian Club
• 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 the 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. See Solveig Zempel for more information on the study abroad progams.

• The Oslo Year
• Scandinavian Urban Studies Term (HECUA)
• Oslo International Summer School
• Scandinavian Seminar

Course Materials

The textbook/workbook for this course will be 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.