Semesters

HI150 Norway in the World, 800-2000

Course code: 
HI150
Duration: 
1 semester
Credits (ECTS): 
15
Level of study: 
Foundation level (bachelor’s degree level)
Teaching semester: 
2024 Autumn
Assessment semester: 
2024 Autumn
Language of instruction: 
English
Required prerequisite knowledge

None. 

Course content

According to the Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland (1808-1845), Norway was a secluded, ‘hyperborean corner of the world’, separate and protected from mainland Europe by nature itself through the ‘deep abyss’ of an ocean and ‘palisades of numerous cliffs’. This view of Norway as an entity somewhat separate from the rest of the world, which came to life during the romanticism of the 19th century, does not hold up to historical scrutiny. Rather, the history of Norway is one of widespread social, cultural and political interaction not only with its neighbouring countries, but also on a global scale, an interaction that is key to understand how modern Norway came about. From this starting point, the course will give an overview of Norwegian history from the Viking era (800-1050), through the Union with Denmark (1300s-1814) and the union with Sweden (1814-1905), as well as the history of the modern Norwegian state (1905-2000). The overarching topics will be the political-, cultural-, and social history of Norway in a broad sense, with underlying themes such as the state-citizen relationship, migration, trade and foreign policy, as well as societal and cultural developments, focusing on both long- and short term trends in Norwegian history.

Learning outcome

According to the national qualification framework the student will have the following learning aoutcome after having finished the course:

 

Learning outcome knowledge

The student should have:

  • a general overview of Norwegian history for non-Norwegian speaking students, with a special emphasis on transnational history and cultural exchanges in Norwegian history. 
  • gained knowledge and understanding of the main events, institutions and people who have helped shape Norwegian history from the Viking age onwards. 
Learning outcome skills

The student should be able to:

  • reflect on the broad trajectories in Norwegian history and the main explanations put forward by historians
  • discuss critically these trajectories, especially with regard to how features and developments in Norwegian history relate to the broader development in Nordic, European and World history
Learning outcome qualification

The student should be able to:

  • analyze historical problems and formulate research questions independently and to choose as well as to apply adequate historiographical methods to answer them

  • identify, assess and use relevant primary material and scholarly literature from a diverse set of sources on a historical problem

  • meet the formal requirements for the conduct of academic research within the field of history and employ the appropriate ethical standards and code of conduct 

 

Working and learning activities

The teaching will take place in the form of lectures.

Each student will be assigned a supervisor to mentor and approve the course requirements.

Course requirements and other assignments will be submitted through the e-learning platform, Canvas. Basic internet skills (i.e. use of a browser, participation in online discussion forums, up- and downloading of files) is a prerequisite.

 

Assessment requirements

The requirements for the course are:

  • Submission of paper and written exam

Attendance is compulsory, with reference to Regulations governing studies and examinations at Volda University College, §7.3 concerning attendance/participation in teaching. Students who do not meet this requirement may submit a written application to the faculty member with course responsibility, asking for dispensation. Such a dispensation may be given if the student submits a written paper on a given theme. This paper must be approved by the faculty member before the student is allowed to progress in the subject.

 

 

Evaluation system
Minimum number of students: 
10
Maximum number of students: 
35
Person in charge: 
Chalak Kaveh
Used in other programs
  • Language and Literature - bachelor
Assessment FormGroupingDurationGrading scaleProportionCommentSupport MaterialsScope
Oppgave
Individual
1 Semester
A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade
60
At least 3500 Words.
Written Exam
Individual
4 Hours
A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade
40
Approval signature: 
Randi Bergem 23.02.2023