Concordia College Department Histories

Norwegian and Scandinavian Studies Past

Department Description:

The Norse department offers courses with the following objectives: (1) ability to speak and to read the Norse language; (2) understanding of the relationship of the Norse language to the Anglo-Saxon elements of English; (3) appreciation of the religions and social ideals of the Norse people and an insight into the religious and cultural currents that have served as factors in shaping those ideals, with special emphasis upon love of home, church, school, and democracy; (4) development of spiritual life and character of the individual student through the presentation of the Christian life-view and ideal reflected in the material used in the courses of study. (Quoted from the 1938 Concordia College course catalog)

Department Head:

Ole Tonning (who is pictured in the image on the 1911 page) had a Master of Arts and specialized in teaching Norwegian to students who attended the college.

No other faculty were specified to teach the courses in the Norwegian department.

Courses of Study Offered:

There were no majors or minors specified, however, there was a general Norwegian course of study offered to students.

Sampling of Courses taught:

Classes were most likely held in Main Building, which is now known as Old Main.







Fun Facts:

Norwegian classes were held as early as the founding of the school in 1891. Norwegian was taught in much the same manner as English was. Students were expected to be able to read and write correctly in Norwegian.

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