Required prerequisite knowledge

A year’s study (60 ECTS credits) of intercultural studies, ICS, or equivalent is preferable, but 60 credits in social studies or in humanities provides a basis for admission. The course can also be taken as an elective in journalism, social sciences, or teacher education.

Relevance within study programme

Elective in

• Bachelor in Intercultural Studies

Introduction

The purpose is for the student to gain insight into how fundamental assumptions about reality shape how we think and act. Increased insight into how our understanding and acting comes from our history and our context, we will understand how members of other societies have their understanding and actions based on their contexts.

Learning outcomes descriptors

On completion of the course, the candidate should have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the concept of worldview, its origin and later use.
• is familiar with how people acquire a worldview, and how this worldview shapes how people think and act.
• has knowledge of the relationship between culture, religion and worldview.
• has knowledge of different eras in European history and the main elements of the worldview in the respective eras.  
• has knowledge of how worldview changes at the individual level and in society.

Skills

The student

• is able to reflect on cultural and religious changes in Europe from the worldview perspective.
• is able to reflect on how worldview reflects and affects cultural and religious understanding.
• is able to apply methods to do research on worldview.

General competence

The student

• has knowledge of how worldview shapes cultural and religious perceptions and actions on the individual level and in society.

Content

Why do you think the way you do, and why do we think differently? Both time differences and cultural contexts have shaped and shape different ways of thinking. All societies shape their understanding of reality, which shapes how members of individual societies think and act as they do. What is logical and what is right and wrong are large categories where people think differently depending on the context in which they live. Simultaneously, there are significant individual differences in how we think even within a society. Where do all these different ways of thinking come from, and why are there also many common denominators in historical eras and cultural contexts? These are questions that are answered in the topic of real life comprehension/worldview.

By understanding how different eras in Europe have provided different premises for how one perceives reality and how the understanding of reality lays the ground for cultural and religious ways of being and thinking. The student will be able to identify, discuss and reflect on their understanding of society one is a part of, and thus be able to understand other cultural and religious contexts.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures.

Scope

300 hours.

Coursework requirements

The following coursework must be approved by the stated deadlines to enable the student to sit the course examination:

1. Attendance at lectures and seminars (80 percent)

2. Individual reflection note of 500 words and attendance at group discussion and group presentation (at a specific date)

3. Individual written presentation of a text (from recommended reading) of 750 words and attendance at group discussion and group presentation (at a specific date)

All coursework has specific guidelines. If coursework is not approved, the student will be given one further opportunity in the same semester. 

Final assessment

Written examination on campus, 5 hours.

Grading, examination

Grades are given on a scale from A to E for a pass and F for a fail grade.

Permitted aids under examination

None.

Assessment language

• Norwegian
• Scandinavian languages
• English

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

A course evaluation will be carried out in line with NLA´s quality system.

Available as Single Course

Yes

Digital reading list

Follow this link for reading list and academic resources.