ESNT501 Education and Society in Norway Today
Course description for academic year 2025/2026
Contents and structure
The aim of this course is to understand the sosiocultural foundations of Norwegian approaches to education through encounters with schools, heritage sites, and innovative practices. At the same time, students will learn to appreciate approaches to research that serve as a basis for understanding educational practices in context.
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of the course, the student shall have the following overall learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The student
- can understand the structures, objectives and conseptual underpinnings of education in contemporary Norway
- can recognize how education is shaped by differing sociocultural contexts and their related philosophical foundations.
Skills
The student
- can understand and apply Scandinavian innovations in educational technology
- can understand and apply Scandinavian approaches to outdoor environmental education
- can understand and apply Scandinavian approaches to soundscape education: using sound to explore natural and social environments and to create innovative new expressions.
General competence
The student
- can understand different research methods used to study the cultural foundations of education.
Entry requirements
None
Recommended previous knowledge
None
Teaching methods
Interactive lectures, experiental outdoor learning (e.g. museum tour, school visit), group discussions, collaborative group work.
Compulsory learning activities
- Participation and contribution in class discussions.
- Mini exercise before and after each topic.
The mandatory obligatory requirements specified above need to be passed before a student can register for the exam.
Assessment
Reflection assignment and oral presentation.
- Part 1: Reflection assignment, 2,000 words (excluding references).
- Part 2: Oral presentation with slides, approximately 10 minutes.
Grading scale: Pass/Fail.
Both parts must be passed in order to receive a grade in the course. If one part is not passed, that part may be retaken separately.
Examination support material
- Part 1 Reflection assignment: All.
- Part 2 Oral presentation: Slides.