Course content

By the end of the term students should be able to understand rapid conversation of both general and academic nature without difficulties. Students will study the development of the recent history of the Norwegian language (from 20th century and to the present), and they should know the main features of the different Norwegian dialects. Students must be able to read a wide range of genuine Norwegian texts, and in oral and written presentations students will be expected to master different styles. Forms of linguistic expression (idiomology) and linguistic nuances (pragmatics) will be given greater attention at this level than in previous courses.

The students need to have handed in and gotten approved at least seven written papers by the end of the course, including the term paper. The term paper should preferably be based on the student's own subject area, but may also, with the teacher's approval, be linked to another subject. The term paper is presented orally to the group. Of the other texts, at least four need to be in a persuasive genre.

The course awards 15 ECTS Credits, but cannot enter into a bachelor's degree at NTNU, since it is part of the matriculation requirement for higher education in Norway.

Learning outcome

The aim of the course is to help students become familiar with various forms of Norwegian and to help them learn to use Norwegian to express themselves, both orally and in writing, in a precise, nuanced manner.

Learning methods and activities

The course consists of 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). The size of the term paper must be between 5-10 typed A4-pages (line spacing 1.5).
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.
The oral exam is 20 minutes long. Before the examination begins the candidate will read an unfamiliar text which will be the basis for part of the examination. The course member may use a dictionary when reading the unfamiliar text. 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 written submissions with supervision
• 80% attendance (obligatory attendance one of the first two lectures)
• 1 oral presentation

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Passed Level 3, or Norwegian higher level language test with 450 points or better, or Norwegian examination as a second language at Norwegian upper secondary school passed with a grade of 4 or better. Or another equivalent course.

Credit reductions