Course content

Norway today is characterized by global migration streams that have contributed to making society more distinctly multicultural. Historically, however, there has already been ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity. In this course you will be introduced to the central themes, debates, issues, and theories related to migration and multicultural societies, with a special focus on perspectives on ethnicity, gender and sexuality. Questions that will be pursued throughout the course include: What do ideas of sameness and difference mean in a Norwegian context? In which ways do gender and equality come to play in multicultural societies? What does it mean to be black in today's Norway? Can integration have different meanings, and if so what are they? What challenges can queer minorities experience in Norway? Are there commonalities in the experiences of indigenous peoples and immigrants when it comes to gender and sexuality? The course focuses on modern Norwegian migration history and provides knowledge of various facets of Norway as a multicultural society, as well as current research in this field. The course is part of the one-year study-programme Equality and Diversity.

Learning outcome

Candidates who have completed this course will have knowledge of:

• theories of migration, diversity and integration
• central concepts such as transnationalism, integration, discrimination, racism, intersectionality, equality, minoritizing/majoritizing and othering
• Norway as a multicultural society
• Different perspectives on the relationships between migration and ethnicity, gender and sexuality

Candidates who have completed this course will have the skills to:

• Discuss different issues related to migration and multicultural societies - Describe and understand diversity in a Norwegian context
• Describe and understand how questions of ethnicity, gender, and sexuality come to play in multicultural societies
• Reflect critically on the position of gender equality in debates concerning Norwegian multicultural society

Learning methods and activities

Teaching will be in the form of lectures and group exercises. Group work and active student participation will be emphasized. There will be two compulsory assignments. The assignments must be approved prior to the exam. There is a home exam.

Compulsory assignments

• 2 excercises

Course materials

Will be given at the start of the course.