FALL 2025

ENGL 110: College Composition I - 3 credits
Instructor:  Dr. Robin Smith, American College of Norway

Immersion in college-level critical reading and expository writing, emphasizing revision and careful preparation of manuscripts. English Composition is a foundational course for students who will be transitioning to university. It is designed to increase your ability to construct prose that reflects your thoughts, analysis, synthesis, interpretations, and ideas about texts, research, literature, essays, and the like.  In essence, you will learn to read critically, which entails, among others, identifying problems, assumptions (stated and unstated), inferences, analyzing arguments, and testing conclusions.

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ENGL 226: Creative Writing - 3 credits

‍Instructor: Dr. Robin Smith, American College of Norway

In this course students will explore the process of writing fiction and poetry.  Throughout the semester they will be expected to bring in examples of their own work to share with their peers.  (Don’t worry.  Everyone has to do it.  This is part of the process.)  Class discussions will focus on constructive criticism, thus giving the writer ideas for revision.  At the end of the semester participation and a small body of work demonstrating revision and dedication will be used to determine a grade.

THEA 210 - Ibsen as an Influencer - 3 credits
Instructor: Eric Todd Guggisberg, American College of Norway
This course is designed for students who have interests in social media, cinematography, and  cultural studies. The course melds practical skills like learning effective filming and camera techniques with a theoretical understanding of messaging and communication. In addition to studying old and new influencers and gaining practical experience with camera techniques and social media, we will spend time in Oslo throughout the course where we will hopefully have the unique opportunity to conduct research, meet Scandinavian icons, visit Norway’s National Theater, along with other arts venues.‍

We will focus on Ibsen and the social, cultural, and gender issues he addressed in his works. We will look at the social, cultural, and gender issues in the United States for a brief period. From there students will “modernize” a specific part of Ibsen's work so that it addresses the issue that they have chosen to highlight.

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THEA 397: Cooperative Education, Events - 1 credit
Instructor: Tonje Kristiansen, American College of Norway
This is a 1 credit interactive course offering students practical experience in performance and event planning.  Students will work collaboratively to plan special events, organize performance pieces as needed, and participate in running events and any performances. College is a pivotal time for students to expand their horizons, gain real world experience and build community. Specifically, clubs and societies on campus are one of the many ways students can get involved. Being an active member of an organization not only helps enrich a student’s college life, but can help them strengthen various qualities both personally and professionally.

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POLS 220 International Politics - 3 credits
Instructor: Dr. Kat Hodgson, The University of North Dakota
This course will provide students an introduction to the world of international relations, encompassing the different perspectives from which they are viewed, as well as an overview of the international system, with its major actors and issues.

The Arctic region will be a special focus in this course, examining how global affairs and issues outside the Arctic affect the region, as well as how international relations are conducted within the Arctic region.

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POLS 225 Comparative Politics - 3 credits
Instructor: Dr. Kat Hodgson, The University of North Dakota
In this course, students are invited to contemplate larger issues within the field of comparative politics, such as the nature of the state system and varieties of democracy through a comprehensive introduction to two similar, yet uniquely different, democratic government systems – the USA’s and Norway’s.

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PSYCH 299: Cultural Influence on Behavior - 3 credits

‍Instructor: Abbey Marie Schneider, American College of Norway

The demand for understanding the impact of culture on human behavior continues to grow  as the human experience is increasingly characterized by intercultural contact. To  acknowledge variation among cultures is a first step. This course will delve deeper into the ways in which culture impacts our behavior, the way we think, what we believe and our own  identity. The course will be organized in three parts beginning theoretically and moving  toward practical applications.  

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SPRING 2026

ENGL 130: College Composition II: Writing for Public Audiences - 3 credits

Instructor: Dr.  Robin Jewel Smith, American College of Norway

College Composition with an emphasis on rhetoric and critical thinking. Requires the writing and production of both primary and secondary research, while asking students to apply that research to larger community issues. Students will practice writing with an immediate and explicit public purpose.

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ENGL 231: Literature & Social Issues- 3 credits

Instructor: Dr.  Robin Jewel Smith, American College of Norway

“Anti-Heroes and Villains in Literature” What can society’s most dangerous, deviant, or defiant figures teach us about ourselves? This course explores the cultural work of anti-heroes and villains in literature, from Gothic monsters to modern misfits. We will study characters such as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, who weaponizes her trauma against systems of patriarchal violence; Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, whose descent into brutality mirrors the emptiness of consumer capitalism; and Elphaba in Wicked, who reframes the “wicked witch” as a misunderstood revolutionary resisting authoritarian power. Through novels, plays, and contemporary retellings, students will examine how these characters embody and critique social issues such as patriarchy, capitalism, consumerism, systemic bigotry, and political corruption. Coursework will include close reading, comparative analysis, and creative-critical projects that invite students to consider how “bad” characters disrupt cultural norms — and why we can’t look away from them.

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SOCI 314 - Environment and Society - 3 credits
Instructor: Susan Joel, PhD, Springfield College

This course focuses on the interconnectedness of human communities and their environment, exploring current environmental issues using the tools and insights of sociology. Using a case study approach, the course centers on environmental justice, exploring controversies and debates from the US and other societies focused on how vulnerable and marginalized populations - the incarcerated, undocumented workers, rural populations, racial and ethnic minorities - bear a disproportionate share of environmental risks.

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‍SOCI 101 - Introduction to Sociology - 3 credits
Instructor: Susan Joel, PhD, Springfield College

This course provides an introduction to sociological thought, research, concepts, and theory. How can food and eating be sociological? This course draws upon a variety of perspectives to examine the social processes that shape how food is produced, prepared and consumed in the United States. We start the course by focusing on the environmental and political dynamics that characterize both global and U.S. food systems. We then turn toward the subjects of farm labor, hunger and food security, the politics of nutrition advice, and the rise of alternative food movements. Following this, we draw from theories on the sociology of the body to understand how dieting is gendered. We then look at the intersection of gender, race and social class with regard to foodwork. We end the course with a focus on food media and emerging food trends.

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SOCI 312 - Genders in Society - 3 credits
Instructor: Susan Joel, PhD, Springfield College

This class focuses on sociological analysis of gender relations. Sociological concepts andtheories help to explain both differences and inequalities between men and women in United States society. Why is it “ok” for women to wear pants, but it’s not “ok” for men to wear dresses? Through independent study, interactive classroom discussions, and group projects we will examine biological sex, genders, and sexuality to develop an understanding and appreciation for the ways we, as members of society, produce and reproduce socially shared definitions and expectations of genders, sex, and sexuality. The work we do in this course will involve critically examining scholarly research, academic theories, and contemporary social and political issues through a sociological lens.

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HUM 224. Integrated Social Science Inquiry. 3 Credits.  

Instructor: Abbey Marie Schneider, American College of Norway

Readings and discussion of selected works that reflect the methodology and concerns of the social sciences; integration of social science topics and methods with other Integrated Studies courses/topics. F,S.

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HUM 391 - Advanced Humanities Seminar - Marketing and Social Media  - 2 credits

Instructor: Tonje Kristiansen, American College of Norway

What makes for a successful presence on social media and in the field of marketing? How do you engage your audience effectively and elevate a brand in the ever expanding digital realm? This class will explore the intricacies of social media and marketing through real life cases - and provide the opportunity for students to promote the American College of Norway through the role of a Student Ambassador. The students will take part in the annual Open House on campus and have a genuine impact on ACN’s marketing presence.  

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POLS 491: Arctic Symposium - Travel Course (Svalbard) - 1 credit
Instructor: Dr. Tami Carmichael, University of North Dakota
This course is built around a five-day, four-night group trip to Norway’s fascinating Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Our primary aim is to stimulate and deepen interest in the Arctic, a region of increasingly vital importance to our world, as well as in the far north of Norway. During our time we will experience firsthand the climate of the High North, sample life in Longyearbyen, one of the world’s most northernmost towns, and expand our understanding of Svalbard’s history and status. Along the way will also learn more about its beautiful but fragile ecosystem and about the interlinking global processes of climate change. This is truly a rare opportunity that will unfold a unique place.

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*Courses subject  to change

For complete course descriptions, please email info@americancollege.no.

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