Programme Description for Myths and Fairytales - Copenhagen and Oslo ( credits)

Transcription

1 Programme Description for Myths and Fairytales - Copenhagen and Oslo ( credits) Minor revision approved by the Dean May 22, Introduction Why do stories and myths appeal to modern man? What is special about narratives? In what way can stories contribute to increased knowledge about today s cultural expressions, and about ourselves? All cultures have traditional stories. The fairytale is both local and universal. Myths describe how gods created the world and thereupon acted in it. Legends tell about what happened a long time ago. They all reflect basic values in their societies. All students possess unique cultural experiences. Together students from different countries and cultures share a significant cultural capital, which will be activated and presented. Meaning and significance cannot always be explained through a logic and rational language. Humans have created stories (unconsciously) in order to understand and interpret own and other people s behaviour, and to reflect what happened and what could have happened. Traditional stories deal with important, existential questions. They reflect human conditions and human psyche. The narrative patterns, structure, of tradition literature are basic patterns of literature. Knowledge about these structures will provide teachers and students with skills to easier recognise, understand and interpret various text expressions, in various circumstances. Today s mass media narratives are based on old stories and old story patterns. To understand and analyse these expressions a basic knowledge of the narrative traditions is essential. Earlier traditional stories were passed on orally. To learn how to pass stories on, in various ways, is essential also in modern in teaching institutions, and in modern coexistence in general. A deeper understanding of stories is often achieved through activities like writing, storytelling, dramatization, painting, puppet play, performing, discussing, music, etc. This course is about these issues. Goals Through the course the students are expected to: - develop their knowledge about myths, fairytales and legends - achieve an understanding of the content of the narratives, factual as well as psychological - learn basic narrative patterns and be able to use these in own productions - develop consciousness about own cultural heritage - work creatively with music, art, drama etc. - create different story based performances - experience and understand stories in a practical didactic context - write an individual paper on a chosen subject within the main subject of the course

2 Course Content Theory - The main theories of myth, basic mythology, fairytale theory - The differences between myths, fairytales and legends - Structural theories, psychological theories, eclectical theories - Myths and religions - Psychology of importance and meaning in fairytales Tradition stories as cultural expressions - The students' own cultural identity and stories - Hero tales and contemporary mass media narratives - Cultural exchanges - Excursions to museums, schools, kindergartens Stories as background for various artistic expressions - Puppet making and performing - Story writing - Radio theatre and other multimodal texts - Dramatisation - Stories and music Stories in a didactic perspective - The uses of fairy tales in education and therapy - Didactic reflections on the use of myths and fairy tales - Practise work with traditional narratives - Excursions to schools and kindergartens Course model The course is organised in two modules. Both modules make a whole term course. The modules Who What Module 1: 12 weeks International and local students Introduction and full time course 6 weeks in Copenhagen 6 weeks in Oslo Module 2: 6 weeks International and local students Individual in depth study Module 1 Working methods - Literature studies/theory - Lectures and supervision - Excursions - Workshops - Seminars - Cultural exchanges/discussions - Reflective journal - Individual and group papers/performances The students are expected to work approx. 40 hours per week, all weeks. Individual paper on chosen subject (not more than words).

3 The paper should - have an individually chosen theme - be a study of this individually chosen subject The theme must be approved by the course leader(s). Module 2 The student shall build upon experiences and work done in the first module, and extend this in a special study individual assignment resulting in a paper, not more than words (substantially less if combined with performance or production). The individual assignment should - have an individually chosen theme - be a deeper study of this individually chosen subject The assignment can - be a purely theoretic study/analysis - include practice studies - be a tryout of educational ideas connected to the subject - be a performance etc., including theoretic reflections about the choices made The theme must be approved by the course leader(s). Assessment Compulsory attendance In module 1: Participation in various group works. In module 2: Compulsory attendance in a writing seminar and two individual tutorials (more consultations are possible). Final Assessment Final assessment module 1 Individual paper on chosen subject (not more than words). Final assessment module 2 Individual paper on a chosen subject (not more than words). The papers are assessed by internal sensor(s). Course evaluation Graded end assessment based upon the student s total contribution throughout the course, both in Denmark and Norway. All minor and major individual or group works during the course are graded pass/fail. Papers and other documentation will be assessed by local lecturers participating in the course. The conclusive assignment will be assessed by examiners from both academic institutions (module 1). The special study assignment (module 2) will be assessed by internal examiners. Evaluation module 1 and 2 (30 credits) The final grade is a combination of the grades from module 1 and module 2. The grade from module 1 counts 51% of the total result.

4 The Transcript of Records paper will show result from module 1, result from module 2 and the final result. Grading scale A-F Assessment will be according to the ECTS grading scale. The scale ranks from A to E for approved and F for not approved. Assessment criteria for the grade scale A- F Symbol Name General, qualitative description of grade - outstanding subject knowledge and ability to use it in a cross-disciplinary A Outstanding - outstanding degree of independence and ability to relate subject knowledge to what is asked for in the assignment text - outstanding ability in written exposition - very good subject knowledge and ability to use it in a crossdisciplinary B Very good - very high degree of independence and ability to relate subject knowledge to what is asked for in the assignment text - very high ability in written exposition - good subject knowledge and ability to use it in a crossdisciplinary C Good - high degree of independence and ability to relate subject - high ability in written exposition - fairly good subject knowledge and ability to use it in a crossdisciplinary D Fairly good - reasonable independence and ability to relate subject - reasonable ability in written exposition - adequate subject knowledge and ability to use it in a crossdisciplinary E Adequate - adequate independence and ability to relate subject - adequate ability in written exposition F Not passed The assignment answer does not satisfy minimum requirements Assessment criteria for the grades pass/fail Pass The student/group shows reflection in relation to learning goals, educational practice, the specific character of the study unit and personal/group development. The student/group demonstrates a level of knowledge and skill which satisfies criteria set by the team of students and subject teachers

5 Fail The student/the group shows lack of reflection in relation to learning goals, educational practice, the specific character of the study unit and personal/group development. The student/the group does not demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill which satisfies criteria set by the team of students and subject teachers Applicable to Norwegian students only: Teaching Suitability Assessment The teacher training institution is obliged to assess whether the students are suitable for the profession. Students who show poor aptitude in mastering the teaching profession, must as early as possible during the study, be informed about their position in relation to the requirements of teacher suitability, and, if applicable, obtain advice and guidance on how to improve, or be advised to terminate their study. Assessments on suitability may be made throughout the study period. The assessment of suitability must be based on a comprehensive evaluation which includes academic as well as pedagogic and personal qualities necessary to be able to function as a teacher. (See also regulations concerning assessment of suitability for teacher training.) New or postponed examinations New or postponed examinations are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular examination. Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences. Students must register for a new or postponed examination. More detailed information about registration and times for new or postponed examinations is available at the web site Literature, Norway Bettelheim, Bruno: The Uses of Enchantment. The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales, 1988 Hourihan, Margery: Deconstructing the Hero, Routledge 1997 selected chapters Stabell-Kulø, Arnt: Myths, Fairy Tales and Legends in our contemporary Time. The Background Material, Volume One Spurkland, Marit: Norwegian Fairytales/Folk Tales/Eventyr, art. in Symposium Report Warner Marina: From the beast to the blonde, on fairy tales and their tellers, Vintage 1995 selected chapters Articles relevant to the teaching and progress of the course A selection of fairy tales and myths The list of Literature may be subject to revision upon approval of Head of Studies.