Language policy and planning (LPP) as a discipline was initially developed as a part of sociolinguistics and language-in-society studies and emerged as a field of study in the 1960s (Kaplan, Baldauf, Liddicoat, Bryant, Barbaux, and Pütz 2000). After WWII, LPP as a result of decolonisation, moved from being primarily an integral part of nation building to a subject of academic enquiry. Recently, the academic field of LP has witnessed a critical turn, with a stronger focus on power relations and bringing in more critical and decolonial approaches. This course aims to develop an in-depth understanding of the complexity of language policies around the world via selected case studies and present case studies of the language planning and policy issues in various domains and institutions, e.g. constitutional laws, and public and private spheres, in a range of countries.

Key concepts in the field of language planning and policy will be introduced and discussed, with an emphasis on how language planning and policy decisions shape and are shaped by international, national, and local level sociolinguistic factors.

The course will also cover various frameworks and theories that have been developed to understand why certain language policies are formulated in a particular context, how they are implemented, and what their consequences and outcomes are for individuals and societies. Students may for example focus on the impact of language policies in multilingual contexts; consider the impact of a lack of policy; analyse the evolution of policies; study the actual implementation and monitoring of existing policies; consider unintended impact of policies.

Learning outcome

Students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of one or more specialised approaches to research on multilingualism
  • Explain the central theories and concepts of these specialised approaches
  • Critically consider the relevance of these approaches to an area of research that students may explore in their thesis

Admission to the course

Students must be enrolled in a Master's Degree Programme at one of the Circle U. universities.

Students enrolled in a four year Bachelor degree can attend the course in their final year of studies.

Contact your home institution regarding questions about getting the course approved as part of your degree. 

The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.

Apply by 6 January 2026

Teaching

Teaching will consist of 20 hours. There will be one week of teaching on campus (April 13-17), the rest of the teaching will be given digitally.

Students should participate actively in all sessions. Students must attend a minimum of 75% of sessions in order to receive credit for the course.

The course will be run as a combination of short lectures, groups activities and student led activities.

Each student must complete a compulsory assignment given by the teacher during the course of the seminar. The assignment may consist of several parts and must be approved by the teacher before the student can take the final exam.

Lectures

Digital lectures

  • 24 February, 14:15–16:00
  • 3 March, 14:15–16:00
  • 10 March, 14:15–16:00
  • 17 March, 14:15–16:00
  • 24 March, 14:15–16:00
  • 7 April, 14:15–16:00

On-site lectures in Oslo

  • 13–17 April, 09:00–16:00

Examination

Portfolio submission; details of the assignment will be provided in class.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you may submit your response in English, French or a Scandinavian language

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale.

Funding

The course is organized as a blended intensive program (BIP) within Erasmus+, and hence you may apply for a grant at your home university.

Please contact the mobility office at your university for more information:

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