Norwegian 253

Course Description

Velkommen til norsk 253! Norwegian 253, Advanced Conversation and Composition, is the fifth course of the Norwegian major. Our focus this semester will be on Norwegian identity, and is aimed at giving you insight into Norwegian culture and how it is expressed in thinking and way of life. At the same time we will continue to work on expanding your vocabulary and on improving your accuracy in Norwegian grammar.

This course will use speaking assignments both as tools to help you understand the content of the reading assignments, but also to help you become a more effective speaker in both Norwegian and English. You will be asked to make several oral presentations, each of which will be accompanied by a written full-sentence outline to be handed in and evaluated in conjunction with your oral presentation. You will probably want to make a more concise speaking outline that you will refer to during your speech.

1. Dagsrevyen: Since one of our goals is to learn about contemporary Norwegian culture we need to keep abreast of news events in Norway. Groups of students will be responsible for preparing a 10-15-minute news, weather, sports program similar in style to actual Norwegian news broadcasts (available on the internet and on videotape) and to put a written version on the class web page. Try to find news that relates to the topic assigned for class discussion. A written, full-sentence outline must be handed in. You are invited to consult with me the day before or earlier the same day of your presentation.
   
2. Debatter: The class will be divided into pros and cons surrounding a controversial topic.
   
3. Særoppgave. You will research a topic of special interest to yourself and write an 6-8 page paper. At the end of the semester students will each make 15-20 minute presentations of their papers. A written full-sentence outline must be handed in 2 class periods in advance of your oral presentation.

I expect you to be an active participant 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.

Textbooks and Materials

Typisk norsk? textbook. By Sandvik and Aarsæther
An Essential Norwegian Grammar, by Strandskogen.
Lingua Engelsk-norsk / norsk-engelsk ordbok (optional)

Attendance and Participation

Students are required to attend all class sessions and participate actively in discussions and small group work. Active participation requires that studends come to class with homework completed so that they are prepared to use Norwegian in a variety of contexts.

Language Lab

Students are required to spend at least 60 minutes a week in the language lab. As part of this listening, you should listen to a minimum of 3 TV2 news broadcasts (available on internet in Windows machines in Old Main 10 and the Language lab. It will become available on Macintoshes later in the semester when the software is released. Each time you watch you should list in your log the date and time of the program and the stories covered. If you watch the weather report you should give the report for one area of Norway (your choice).

Sometimes you will have specific assignments to view videotapes or work with CD-roms. On weeks when you do not have a specific assignment, you may view videotapes or listen to audio tapes of your choice. We have a variety of tapes ranging from news broadcasts and sitcoms to radio theater. Keep a log of the program watched, a very brief summary (på norsk!) and a very brief opinion/review (på norsk også).

The more you listen the better you will understand spoken Norwegian. According to well-known linguist Steven Krashen, a tremendous amount of language is acquired by listening and reading freely chosen material.

If you prefer to listen to tapes at home, I ask you to keep a listening log with total time and materials listed.

Written assignments

All written assignments are due in class on the date you have agreed to submit them or as indicated on the course schedule (depending on the assignment).

All essays and speaking outlines must be typed, double-spaced and stapled together.

Tests and Exams

There will be two exams: a midterm and a final.

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%: Frammøte, deltakelse (i timene og språklaben), daglige stiler
• 20%: ringperm med: 1) alle stilene (originalen og renskrevet versjon), 2) spørsmål og vanskelige ord til lesestykkene (forberedelsene til hver time) 3) klassenotater, 4) personlig vokabularlista, 5) språklablogg inkludert oppsummeringer av TV2-nyheter og videoer.
• 20%: Taler og debatter
• 20%: Særoppgave: skriftlig og muntlig oppgave
• 30%: Midtsemester og semestereksamen

The grading scale is shown below.

100-99=A+ 98-93=A 92-90=A-

89-88=B+ 87-83=B 82-80=B-

79-78=C+ 77-73=C 72-70=C-

69-68=D+ 67-63=D 62=D-

Co-Curricular Activities on Campus

To supplement our courses, the Norwegian Department also offers many co-curricular activities and events.

• 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 Chapel 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