Course content

Throughout the course special emphasis will be given to verb forms (tense and mood) and nuances in expression (pragmatics), in addition to further strengthening of the grammar from the two lowest levels. Civilization is part of the curriculum in this level, either in the form of a single work (for example Ellingsen and MacDonald: Her på berget), or in the form of free-standing texts of similar size and subject. Some of the subjects may be addressed with literary texts. The intent is to provide students with an insight into modern Norwegian community life and its historical background. Level 3 counts for 15 credits (15 ECTS) in amount of work, but only counts towards part of a bachelor degree at NTNU together with level 4 (once passed) since it is a part of the entrance requirements for ordinary studies. The course may nevertheless form a basis in bringing export credits to other educational institutions.

Learning outcome

Students should acquire vocabulary and language understanding abilities that enable them to follow lectures in Norwegian and read Norwegian texts. The oral and written abilities of the course members must demonstrate that they can express themselves in descriptive, narrative and persuasive genres.

Learning methods and activities

6 hours of seminars per week, including language laboratory exercises. The students forfeit their rights to carry on taking the course and to take the exam if they do not attend at least one of the first two lectures (unless written notification has been handed in in advance). Students need to hand in and have approved at least seven written papers by the end of the course. Four of them should be in a persuasive genre, and one of the written works will be a presentation which also will be presented orally to the group. The size of the larger submission must be approx. 5 typed A4-pages (line spacing 1.5).
The oral exam is 20 minutes long. Before the examination begins the candidate will read an unfamiliar text which will be the basis of a part of the oral examination. Students may use a dictionary when reading the unfamiliar text. In addition, oral proficiency will be tested by means of discussions based on topics covered in the required reading. The written part of the exam is 6 hours combined. The exam time is divided into 1 hour of dictation/ listening test in the language laboratory and 5 hours of testing formal knowledge (grammar and language understanding) and free writing of 400-500 words. Dictionaries are not allowed during the written exam. Separate grades are given for the written and the oral exam. In the combined grade the written exam counts 2/3 while the oral exam counts 1/3. Both the written and the oral exam need to be passed in order to pass the exam. Both exam parts need to be retaken in a fail situation.

Compulsory assignments

• 7 approved written submissions with supervision (1 larger)
• 80% attendance (obligatory attendance one of the first two lectures)
• 1 of the submissions is also presented orally

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Passed Level 2 or passed placement test or Norskprøve 3.

Credit reductions