BLH3210 Culture and Identity - Nordic Childhoods Emneplan

Multi-cultural Identity in a Global World is an English language international course at the Faculty of Education and International Studies, at Oslo and Akershus University College, implemented from the spring of 2005. The course is focusing on the concepts of "Culture" and "Identity", in the context of present-day globalization.

We live in a time of rapid changes, where information travels around the globe within seconds, and where we as ordinary people are influenced by impulses from all over the world. Children and young people from different cultures are influenced by the same rock-stars, whether they live in Nairobi, Tokyo, New York, Buenos Aires or Berlin. We see some of the same channels on TV, we use the same internet, we eat the same fast-food, and we travel from one continent to another more than ever. We live in a global world. We have become internationally conscious to a degree that was unthinkable in previous generations. This globalization affects everybody, also children in kindergartens and schools. Many children are also brought up in a country different from their parents- home-country. We will, in this course, attempt to probe into the complex matter of Culture and Identity, with special reference to Childhood.

Target group

Target group is international exchange students at Faculty of Education and International Studies from preschool and primary school teacher education institutions.

Students must be prepared to participate in various outdoor activities.

The course is designed to offer a full-time study-program in English for students of Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher Education. The period of study will be for 3 months. The students may decide to prolong their length of the stay from 3 to 4 months after arrival. The language of all teaching and supervision is English, and the students should therefore have a working knowledge of both spoken and written English.

Admission

Admission as an international student at Faculty of Education and International Studies. Students from other academic areas may also be accepted. Students must have completed at least one year of their undergraduate degree studies at their home institution in order to be accepted.

No prerequisites.

After completion of the course, the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The student

• has awareness and knowledge of what factors constitute a person's identity
• has knowledge of the concept of "Culture", and an awareness of the culture of the individual student in particular
• has knowledge about childhood and identity construction

Skills

The student

• has skills in observation and analysis of a new educational and cultural setting
• has skills in communicating across cultural and linguistic borders
• has ability to facilitate inclusive practices in groups characterized by diversity.

General competence

The student

• is able to reflect upon experiences of languages and cultures of other international students
• has an awareness of the implications of living in a globalized world
• is able to reflect upon experiences of the multiple cultural settings in kindergartens / schools in Oslo

This is a full-time study-program, where the topics will be treated through lectures, seminars, student-presentations and discussions. In addition to the period of regular hours of teaching, there will be a period of fieldwork, report-writing, and presentations. There will also be a variety of excursions to museums, cultural and other institutions relevant to the course.

The students are expected to share aspects of culture and language from their own countries as a basis for their own presentation and the discussions in the class.

The course will give opportunities to interact with Norwegian students, who will be able to assist in practical matters and give some guidance for exploring the Oslo region.

Fieldwork in schools and kindergartens is an integrated part of the course. The students spend 2 weeks of fieldwork, where they observe and analyse different educational and cultural aspects of the classes or children's groups they attend.

• Active participation in classes and discussions (minimum 80% attendance).
• Individual presentation of one's own culture with reference to educational challenges.

Course requirements shall be met within fixed deadlines. Course requirements are evaluated Passed/Not Passed.

The right to take the examination depends on the successful fulfilment of course requirements. Obligatory course assignments which are not completed by the agreed closing date will not be accepted, and the students lose their right to take the examination. Students are responsible themselves for keeping informed about relevant deadlines. In cases of illness or other inconveniences, students must make an appointment with their tutors for an extension, within the time limit of the course requirement. Requirements which have been handed in at the right time but which have not been accepted, will be given a new deadline.

In cases where course requirements are on time but are not accepted, students are entitled to maximum two new attempts. Students who have lost their right to take the examination because of unaccepted course requirements, must get in touch with their tutors to make another appointment about completing the requirement the following term/study year.

- Paper on a subject treated in the course, of approx. 2000 words (25% of final grade). - Fieldwork paper, of 4000-5000 words, followed by a 20 min. presentation in class (75% of final grade).

The grades in the two units are used in the calculation of the aggregate grade for this course. The final certificate of 20 ECTS will be awarded upon the completion of the above mentioned requirements and examinations.

Re-examination

In case of failing the exam or in case of valid absence at the time of the exam, the student is entitled to make a renewed attempt the next semester. The re-examination will be arranged in the same manner as the regular exam. The students are themselves responsible for registering for the re-examination within given deadlines.

All

Grading will be according to the ECTS-grading scale, with A-E as pass grades and F as fail grade. Criteria for the different grades will be presented to the students at the beginning of the course.

Paper is reviewed and approved by two internal examiners.

Fieldwork paper is reviewed and approved by internal and external examiner.