Minimum college entrance requirements
After having completed the course, the candidate should have insight, understanding, and respect for the cultural patterns that determine his/her own and others' behaviour. The course begins with the individual's own self-understanding, plus a general perspective on Norwegian society. By looking at relevant literature and practical exercises, the student will acquire concepts for analyzing and describing culture and national cultures. The candidate should also learn to prepare a meeting with a foreign business culture that can minimize unnecessary communication problems. The candidate will also receive information on cultural differences within the EU.
The course content builds on research in anthropology, psychology, ethics, and social studies.
Central concepts studied are:
Culture and communication.
History of Ideas, Time, Nature, Worldview, and Religion.
Perception and Power Distance, Collective Thinking, Masculinity/Femininity, and Business Organization Culture.
The symbolic role of Art, Music, Food, and Dance in a foreign culture will also be explored.
Practical exercises, Group work (PBL), and oral presentation of relevant topics.
A group project (oral) must be approved before the candidate can sit for the final exam. Private students must submit a written essay with a theme similar to the group project.
A 2-hour written midterm exam, which counts 50%.
A 2-hour final written exam, which counts 50%. The exam can be written either in Norwegian or English.
