Physical Education, Sports, Culture and Society
A Norwegian study in English language, 30 or 60 ECTS
The study, Physical Education, Sports, Culture and Society is offered by the Faculty of Arts, Folk Culture and Teacher Education, the Notodden campus of Telemark University College. Notodden is a small post-industrial town in south-eastern Norway, and is surrounded by a scenic mountainous landscape. Telemark is the cradle of modern skiing. The Telemark technique is familiar to skiers all over the world. But Telemark is much more than a winter wonderland. There are abundant opportunities for experiencing the great outdoors all year long.
The content of the study
Experimental learning, sports, dance and outdoor life are cultural and social phenomenon in continuous change. In this study, the relations between different physical cultures and society will be analysed, based on the Norwegian society. Emphasis will be on how the cultural and historical variations of these phenomenon interact with social relations. Foreign students will bring their background, with reference to physical education, sports, culture and society into the study. The intention is to take advantage of their experiences, and make an international approach, a kind of melting pot, which provides a rich and varied soup! Didactic reflections will be an essential part of the study.
Objectives
• To be a part of a European Bachelor-degree for 3rd and 4th year foreign and Norwegian students, focusing on Physical Education and Sports in Norway in a social and cultural perspective.
• To establish understanding for Physical Education and Sports in different European countries by comparing and considering how physical education and sports are being performed.
• To provide foreign students with experiences from different arenas of learning which they do not meet too often in their own country, and create pleasure by mastering new skills.
Organization of the study
Because the four seasons are very different in Norway, the content of the two modules will bear evidence of this. Some of the theoretical subjects will be common for the two modules, while the practical ones will vary. Subjects in winter/spring module (30 ECTS) offers among other things outdoor life in winter time with sports on ice and snow i.e. experimental learning on skis, cross-country skiing, telemark, alpine skiing, snowboard, skating. Subjects in autumn module (30 ECTS) offers among other things outdoor life in the autumn and sports and practical activities. “Uteskole” – a working method, where the everyday life of the school, a whole day or parts of a day, is being moved out into the local environment is also a part of the study. All students will be offered an introductory course in Norwegian.
Working methods
The theoretical part of the study will mainly take place in plenary sessions, while practical lessons will be organised together with groups of Norwegian Physical Education students. The subjects will often be presented as student work or lectures held by a teacher. By linking the subjects to the background and experiences of the students, they will become involved and be motivated for participation in groups and in plenary work. Students will work with tasks linked to different topics. Individual tasks will be undertaken, as well as in groups, which will help in the compilation of a coursework journal. In this way the students will acquire more knowledge, consciousness and understanding of the role of Physical Education and Sports in society. A part of the study will be accomplished by attending sports activities, where knowledge of the history behind the event and observations of the atmosphere under the arrangement will be an essential part. Holmenkollen Ski Festival, arranged in Oslo in March every year, will be a good example. Spending a couple of nights in a “lavvo” in the area will be a potential event.