MIED4100 – The Norwegian Education System in its Nordic Context

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

This course is divided into two parts.

Part 1:?The Norwegian Education System within its Nordic Context

To provide a general departure for studying children and youth from cultural comparative perspectives in the context of contemporary social change, the first part will introduce you to the Norwegian education system within its Nordic context. It aims to enable you to gain a thorough understanding of all the relevant components of the Norwegian education system. In addition, it will introduce you to the notion of ‘the Nordic model’, its historical and cultural context, how it affects Norwegian education, as well as how it relates to European and other educational models.

This first part will cover both formal and informal institutional practices in education and address questions about the ideas and ideals of democracy and the welfare state. It will discuss various related issues, such as inclusion and exclusion, gender roles, student involvement, the role of knowledge and expertise, and the historical and philosophical context of "A School for All".

Part 2: Introduction to Education and Social Change: Childhood and Youth Studies (ESCY)

In the second part, you will first be introduced to some main theoretical perspectives on contemporary social change. Then, childhood and youth studies will be introduced and discussed from historical, social change and cross-cultural perspectives. This part of the course discusses key issues, perspectives and policies related to children and young people’s life and education in our contemporary world.?It will enable you to examine how childhood and youth are conceptualized in the Nordic and Norwegian socio-cultural contexts, in relation to the European and global contexts. ?It will also facilitate a comparison of the Nordic models of education and childhood to other cultural perspectives and social-political models and practices related to children and youth in the world.

Learning outcome

The purpose of this two-part course is to provide you with a solid introduction into the Nordic education model with a special focus on the Norwegian education system, and to introduce you to ESCY as a research field.

Upon completion of the course, you should have acquired the following learning outcomes

Knowledge:

  • have a thorough understanding of the Norwegian education system in its Nordic context against the larger backdrop of global social change
  • have critical understanding of the inter-disciplinary nature of ESCY as a research field
  • be able to identify and understand theories and concepts as well as current and emerging issues and themes that pertinent to ESCY

Skills:

  • be able to critically compare the Nordic education model, its tensions and historical and cultural context, with education models developed and used in other parts of the world
  • be able to analyse and critically relate to various sources of information?and apply these to specific issues and topics in ESCY
  • be able to identify relevant concepts and perspectives within ESCY ?and work independently with practical and conceptual problems

Competencies:

  • be able to apply your acquired knowledge and skills with respect to the Norwegian education system and the ‘Nordic model’ in relevant professional contexts
  • be able to communicate about field-specific problems, analyses and conclusions within ESCY with academic specialists as well as a general audience of interested lay people
  • be able to apply your acquired knowledge and skills in carrying out academic assignments

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.

This course is primarily for students enrolled in the master’s in education.

Other master students at UiO, as well as eligible exchange students at master’s level, who are interested in taking this course, can be admitted if there are available places.

Only students who have been admitted to this course may attend the lectures, seminars, and examinations.

Ranking:

All first-year students accepted to the Master’s in Education programme have equal access to the course.

Other applicants may be considered based on capacity. If there are available places, exchange students will be prioritized before master students on other programmes.

Capacity: maximum 60 students

Overlapping courses

Teaching

The course combines lectures, seminars, group work, discussions, and student presentations. Active participation in group work and class-based discussions is expected of each and every student.

Obligatory Components:

  • You are required to contribute to the development and presentation of a group assignment on a given topic in both parts of the course.

  • There is a mandatory 80% attendance requirement for this course.

If you do not fulfil the mandatory attendance requirement, you must complete an additional assignment prior to passing the course. The requirement for the additional assignment is at the discretion of the lecturer(s).

All the educational activities organized as part of the course will take place at the University of Oslo Blindern campus.

The course is a part of a full-time programme.

Access to teaching:

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

The exam will take place after the completion of the whole course. It consists of two written home assignments: one for part 1 of this course and the other for part 2 of the course. Each assignment shall be no longer than 4000 words. More concrete instructions for the assignments will be posted on Inspera in time.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Assignment 1 will count for 50% of the overall grade. Assignment 2 will count for 50% of the overall grade. You will receive one overall grade for the course. You must submit and pass both assignments in order to receive the overall final grade.?

Resit an examination

  • If you fail the exam, you have the opportunity to re-sit the exam during the same semester.
  • If you are ill?during the exam period?or have valid absence from the assignment you are allowed to re-sit the exam within the same semester.
  • If you wish to retake the exam in order to improve the grade, you may do so during the next offering of the course. You have the opportunity to retake the exam without retaking the compulsory components unless there are changes to the requirements in the course in the semester that you register for retake.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) May 31, 2025 9:34:10 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
20
Teaching
Autumn
Examination
Autumn
Teaching language
English

Contact

Department of Education