History, one year

See study programme

Autumn 2024 (1. semester)

Spring 2025 (2. semester)

HIS1000
10 sp

The one-year programme is divided into themes from Norwegian, North Norwegian, European and World History. The course gives insight into political, economic and social development and aims to provide greater understanding of the human situation under differing societal circumstances. The programme provides a broad review of the development of human societies, from the beginning of historic times to the present day. The scope is global, but there is a special focus on Norway and the circumpolar areas.

The programme contains a component that focuses on the history of historical theory and method. Through the syllabus and instruction, students learn the principles of source criticism and are trained in the critical analysis of historical sources.

Courses are organized so that they can be followed both on campus and online. The main language is Norwegian, but some teaching and literature will be in English. Assignments and exams may be written in a Scandinavian language or English.

The one-year programme has received positive student evaluation for many years. In one of the latest national investigations, the history study programme in Bodø gained the highest score with regard to student satisfaction.

The study represents the first year of the bachelor's degree in history, and students can continue with several courses in the history at the 200-level and complete a bachelor's degree in history. The program is divided into five basic courses (100- courses) of 10 credits each, and an advanced course (200-course) giving 10 credits.

Knowledge:

After completing the programme, candidates have:

  • basic historical knowledge of central political, economic and social-historical events and topics.
  • Some knowledge of historical theory and of different perspectives that are used to explain basic topics in Norwegian and international history.
  • knowledge of connections between regional, Norwegian, European and global history.
  • Candidates are familiar with the general principle of source criticism and how knowledge of history is established.
  • Candidates have some knowledge of historiography.

Skills:

  • Candidates can manage independent written work that meets formal requirements for academic work.
  • Candidates are able to relate specific topics to major historical contexts and development processes, and to conduct their own academic investigations based on literature and sources from the curriculum.
  • Candidates are able to discuss historical issues and to draw conclusions of their own.
  • Candidates are able to conduct historical source criticism as well as to reflect upon historical explanations.
  • Through colloquiums/seminars candidates are able to participate in a historical scientific community, where reflections on historical scholarship take place. They are able to discuss issues of theory and method both orally and in writing.
  • Candidates have the ability to reflect on how historical developments have affected people's lives in relation to topics such as:
    • public health and life skills,
    • democracy and citizenship,
    • sustainable development.

General competence:

  • Candidates are able to familiarize themselves with academic literature, read scholarly texts and convey relevant knowledge from them.
  • Based on this literature, they are able to argue their own views in written assignments that abide to formal academic standards.
  • Candidates are able to argue serious thoughts and reflection in the form of oral presentations and written work.
  • Candidates are able to access a theoretically oriented academic literature, and to explain theoretical and methodological principles in their own written work.
  • Candidates are able to follow scholarly debates and has some understanding of how they unfold.

Applicants must fulfil the requirements for Norwegian General Study competence as well as language proficiency requirements in Norwegian and English language.

Read more about admission requirements

The History programme aims to contribute to personal maturation and a reflective approach to social and cultural issues. History is a multi-faceted and comprehensive subject which is useful in many circumstances. History is relevant for teachers, for media, politics and public debate, journalists and professionals of the cultural sector, for tourism and for people working in the various professions of the Welfare State.
The one-year course can be built on to gain a bachelor degree in History. The entire course or parts of the course can also be used as elements in a number of other bachelor degree programmes.
No special costs except semester registration fee and syllabus literature.
The programme employs a variety of assesment methods depending on the course; either home exam, oral examination, written assignment or portefolio, with regular Norwegian grading system (A-F).
The final graduation examination for the study programme consists of the bachelor assignment.
The study programme is evaluated annually by students using course evaluation studies and by the programme director. The evaluations are included in the university's quality assurance system.