Examination arrangement

Course content

This course aims to provide students with theoretical and methodological tools to study both the micro and macro level of language situations characterized by diversity and complexity.

The course has two alternating approaches: Interactional approaches to Norwegian as L1 and L2 and Sociocultural approaches to multilingualism.

Interactional approaches to Norwegian as a first and second language

The variant on interactional approaches concentrates on language use at the micro level. It will familiarize the students with a conversational analytical perspective on spoken Norwegian in monolingual and multilingual contexts. The course provides an introduction to research methods that allow students to identify and analyze interactional phenomena in detail and understand how multilingualism is realized in practice through the use of various resources.

The teaching combines theoretical introduction to basic interactional mechanisms with practical analyzes of conversation extracts in different first and second language contexts. Students receive training in transcribing conversation and a detailed analysis of its sequential structure. They learn about the role of grammar, prosody and body language in meaning making and mutual understanding in both everyday and institutional interactions. The students will also become familiar with how the knowledge of language in interaction can be used to answer socially relevant questions.

Sociocultural approaches to multilingualism

The course will acquaint the students with central socio-cultural perspectives on and approaches to multilingualism and second language acquisition. The teaching revolves around various examples of and outcomes of multilingualism and language contact at individual and societal level, with the main emphasis on a Norwegian context. The course is particularly designed to enable students to identify, describe and reflect on various aspects of Norway as a multilingual language society in both a historical and a contemporary perspective.

The course aims to provide students with a knowledge-based frame of reference for reflection on cultural sustainability in general and the development of sustainable language communities in particular. Essential for this purpose is to involve the students in teaching and working methods that promote the students' self-reflexivity and ability to think critically in the face of the norms, practices and attitudes that guide the acquisition and use of several languages in Norway.

Learning outcome

Interactional approaches to Norwegian as a first and second language

Knowledge:

The candidate has

• knowledge of central concepts and methodological criteria within conversational research
• knowledge of the basic interactional mechanisms that govern social interaction
• knowledge of similarities and differences in monolingual and multilingual interactions and in everyday and institutional conversations
• knowledge of the role of non-verbal resources in meaning making

Skills:

The candidate can

• transcribe recordings of conversations and identify interactional phenomena for analysis
• carry out and describe independent analyzes of interactions in different contexts and with participants with different first language backgrounds
• use the theoretical apparatus to reflect on and discuss monolingualism and multilingualism at the micro level

Sociocultural approaches to multilingualism

Knowledge:

The candidate has

• knowledge of central questions and theoretical perspectives within socioculturally oriented research on multilingualism and second language acquisition
• knowledge of how sociocultural approaches to multilingualism and second language acquisition differ from other central linguistic approaches
• knowledge of multilingualism as an essential dimension of the Norwegian language community historically and today
• knowledge of key historical and contemporary examples of language contact situations in Norway and their consequences

Skills:

The candidate can

• carry out and present independent analyzes of how different social and socio-cultural conditions can affect the acquisition and use of several languages by individuals and groups.
• identify, describe and reflect on how different perspectives on language, language use and/or (language) learning are expressed in selected practices - including teaching practices

Both variants:

General competence:

The candidate

• can summarize and process relevant subject matter in independent presentations
• can use relevant subject terminology to present subject material orally and in writing
• has knowledge of key methodological approaches in studies of multilingualism at individual and societal level.

Learning methods and activities

The teaching will consist of an alternation between lectures and various forms of group work and discussions. Active use of the language in written and oral communication with fellow students and the lecturer will be an essential learning activity in the course. In addition, it is expected that the students spend time on self-study alongside the lectures.

Analysis of different language and text practices and different representations of language, language use and language users are central to the subject. The empirical data will range from conversation and interview data to newspaper articles and literary and popular cultural texts, in addition to school-related examples such as student work, teaching aids and curricula.

Obligatory assignment:

1-2 approved assignment(s) and/or test(s) in written and/or oral form. Obligatory assignments will be presented at the start of the semester.

An approved obligatory assignment is valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).

Compulsory assignments

• 1-2 approved assignment(s) and/or test(s)

Further on evaluation

Obligatory assignment from a previous semester may be approved by the department.

Recommended previous knowledge

NORD1102 and NORD1106, or equivalent.

Course materials

The reading list will be available at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions