Subject Didactics of Nordic Language and Literature

Nordic subject didactics is associated with established subject disciplines in respect of Nordic studies - Nordic language, Nordic literature, Norwegian as a second language and Old Norse philology. Subject didactics is also related to educational science as part of the vocational subjects in Teacher Training and PPU (Practical Pedagogical Education). At the same time subject didactics also constitutes a separate field of knowledge. Research and education in respect of subject didactics are thus based on specific approaches to problems which are established in academic practice, rather than serving as a "bridge" between specialist knowledge and educational theory.

Subject didactics can be defined as being all the thoughts which can be connected to a subject and teaching such a subject, and it is common to divide subject didactics into three subject questions:

1. What? (Reflection on what a subject is all about, i.e. what is relevant in a subject).
2. Why? (Reflection on what makes a subject relevant, i.e. what legitimises a subject).
3. How? (Reflection on the way in which a subject can be learned, taught and developed).

As a concept in use of the Norwegian language, «subject didactics» started to be used during the 1970s and the term was associated with the expansion of subject methodology perspectives. During the first decade Norwegian subject didactics was strongly associated with the German subject didactics tradition, focussing on Bildung theory and being preoccupied with defining the subject's distinctive character. In later years language and literature didactics have been based more on specific linguistic and literary methods.

The subject didactics section at the LLE has special responsibility for the various Nordic teacher training programmes:

- Teacher training for classes 8-13
- 1-year practical pedagogical training
- Experience-based Masters with in-depth studies in Norwegian

All teacher training programmes have compulsory study components in subject didactics and these are provided at levels 100, 200 and 300.

Teacher training practice is linked to subject didactic topics, and teachers of Nordic subject didactics are responsible for the professional follow-up of practice in Norwegian and Norwegian as a second language. Our students acquire practical experience in secondary schools and sixth form colleges.  

Master's students are welcome to write a Master's thesis on subject didactics. Personal tuition will be provided as work progresses.