Course content

The course lays particularly stress on the development of the primary school and the Norwegian school’s distinctiveness compared to international development. The introduction emphasises the school’s interaction with society and social debate, and analyzes the educational philosophy in regard to economic as well as democratic, cultural and social motives. Questions in education policy and conflicting pedagogical ideas will be further elucidated through the influence by important individuals.
The ideal of every person’s right to education has been a central point in school policy both in Norway and other countries. In spite of this, differences in educational behaviour between girls and boys, various ethnic groups, and children and adolescents of different social standing, arise. The course will shed light on which differences occur, why they occur, and how various sociological theories or perspectives may explain the reciprocal nature of the relationship between individual and society. The course is obligatory in order to achieve full specialisation in education studies.

Learning outcome

The course aims to give students an introduction into the Norwegian educational system’s development, focussing on the period after 1945. In addition, various educational sociological perspectives will be discussed.

Learning methods and activities

4 hours of lectures per week, 2 hours seminar per week.
Compulsory activity: Approved written assignment (4-6 pages).
Form of assessment: 6-hour individual written exam.

Compulsory assignments

• Approved written assignment (4-6 pages)

Recommended previous knowledge

None.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Credit reductions