NOU145 Norwegian Linguistic Structure and Language Use - for Exchange Students

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Bachelor's Programme in Nordic Language and Literature
• Exchange Student

Teaching language

Norwegian.

Prerequisites

Students must be able to follow along with instruction as well as study course literature in Norwegian, Danish and Swedish.

Course contents

The course concerns text, communication and language as systems. Studies are undertaken of oral, written and multimodal texts, not only texts’ unique characteristics but also how they function in usage within various contexts. The linguistic system is studied at the sound, word and sentence levels. Modern Norwegian receives the most focus, although linguistic-comparative perspectives are also studied. Characteristics of the Norwegian linguistic system are contrasted with those found in Nordic languages and in other parts of the world. Through doing so, this course provides an academic basis for describing our own language from a contrastive perspective and for understanding linguistic relationships arising in a society in which different languages are present. In addition to theory, emphasis is placed on practical analysis of both text and various linguistic forms of expression.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students
- should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of text and communication.
- should have an understanding of and insight into what characterizes oral, written and multimodal texts as well as the knowledge of how to use these texts.
- should be able to analyze texts and describe their structural and contextual aspects.
- should also be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the language not only as a system of sounds, words and sentences (especially in modern Norwegian), but also from a comparative linguistic perspective. The latter will allow them to describe Norwegian from a contrastive perspective.
- should have developed insight into and an understanding of linguistic conditions that arise in a society in which different languages meet one another.
In addition to theoretical knowledge,
- have acquired the skills necessary to analyze linguistic expression.
- should also have acquired the skill to impart their knowledge and understanding to others in both written and oral form.

Examination requirements

An individually written compulsory assignment must have received a passing mark in order for students to be allowed to sit the examination. This assignment is to be written in Norwegian, Danish or Swedish.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars and group work. The workload is estimated to about 400 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1.

Assessment methods and criteria

One 6-hour examination. Differentiated marks. The examination answer is to be written in Norwegian, Danish or Swedish. Dictionaries are allowed. Assessment includes an emphasis on academic content, communicative competency and satisfactory demonstration of language skills.

Other information

The course is not included in any study programme at the University of Agder. The course code has been created for exchange students who need to include 15 study points (or more) of Norwegian in study programmes completed at their own academic institution. The course may therefore not be included as part of the Norwegian component for future teachers of Norwegian at either the primary or upper secondary school level.

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
NO-145 – Norwegian Linguistic Structure and Language Use	15
NO-166 – Norwegian Grammer	10
NOU166 – Norwegian Grammar - for International Students	10