OSEC- Our Shared European Cultures, Autumn semester 2007

OUR SHARED EUROPEAN CULTURES

A course in European culture and cross-cultural communication for European students at Oslo University College, Faculty of Education.

What are the course objectives?

The course aims to give students from European countries (we are also accepting students from other parts of the world) an understanding of Norwegian culture and society, and to promote better international understanding within Europe through giving students first hand experience of each other's cultures, including their educational systems, with Norwegian culture as a frame of reference.

It also aims to give students the experience of learning to communicate in a new and totally unfamiliar language.

Who will our students be, and what do we expect of them?

The course is designed for students from teacher education institutions in Europe and other international teacher education students who intend to spend three months or a full autumn term in Norway

Students should have a reasonable working knowledge of spoken and written English. All teaching and supervision, apart from the Norwegian language course, will be given in English.

Students will be expected to come to the course prepared to present certain aspects of the culture and education systems of their own countries.

The course will have its own website which will be used to provide background material, and to communicate with students. Students will be expected to contribute actively towards building this website into a presentation of a variety of European cultures.

Length of Course: One semester of full time study, from August 15th, ending in November 15th (20 ECTS) or December 15th (30 ECTS).

Credits: 30 European Credit Transfer System credits.

Course evaluation

A final course diploma will be based on

The students' portfolio of material produced throughout the course
The field work (including its presentation)
An oral examination which will take the form of a discussion of the student's portfolio and fieldwork

Course parts and organisation

Part 1: Cross-cultural understanding. Course language English.
With a basis in the study of culture and the relationship between culture and communication, course topics will be covered through lectures, cultural excursions, exchanges of ideas and views between all participants using discussion, investigations and mini research projects. Students will be involved in investigating aspects of Norwegian culture and in giving an account of their own cultures and relating them to others in a variety of ways. There will be a focus on the educational systems in the various countries.

Part 2: An individual piece of fieldwork.An individual piece of fieldwork on a subject chosen by the student in co-operation with the course teachers, and connected with Norwegian kindergarten/schools and the educational culture of Norway. There will be a joint presentation of all students’ fieldwork at the end of the course. The requirements as to length and degree of specialisation will be adjusted in relation to the total of 20 or 30 ECTS credits.

Some Practical Information

Equipment and clothing. There will be a number of excursions during the course, and for these students will need to bring good outdoor clothing which is both warm and rainproof and also strong footwear.

Contacts with schools. Regular observation of teaching and discussions with teachers over a period of 5 - 6 weeks are part of the course.

Contact with other students. The College has a regular international student cafe and contact will be arranged between students on this course and Norwegian students who are studying in the Faculty of Education.

INFORMATION and REGISTRATION

Closing date for application : May 1, 2007

For enquiries and registration, contact our international co-ordinator

Geir Hoaas at Geir.Hoaas@lu.hio.no , or Cathrine Døscher at cathrine.doscher@lu.hio.no / LUinter@lu.hio.no

Oppdatert: 08. juni 2007
Redigert av: Cathrine Døscher