Syllabus
Description
This course will familiarize you with Norwegian and Danish records.
Danish and Norwegian church records are some of the oldest documents in the world and are of the most worth to genealogists. They contain important vital records that cannot be found anywhere else. Knowing how to read and interpret these records is essential to genealogical research in these countries. In one area of Denmark, civil registration records can also be of great use in research. In this class, you will learn why church and civil registration records are important and what they contain. You will learn how to use these records to do Danish and Norwegian genealogical research.
Other records which will be studied are census, emigration, probate, military and tax records. You will also learn how to use maps and gazetteers.
This course, in conjunction with the other courses in this program, will help prepare you to apply for a professional genealogy credential through ICAPGen or BCG. This course has been designed to provide you with solid academic content and develop practical research skills which are critical for a professional genealogist across many research settings.
Prerequisites
You must successfully complete 251D before taking this course.
Course Outcomes
As a result of completing this course, students will be able to do the following:
- Identify church records and record-keeping jurisdictions.
- Identify the emigration and census sources and their use in research.
- Describe, use, translate, and extract probate, tax, military, and guardianship records in research.
- Evaluate genealogies and biographical sources and their use in solving research problems.
- Complete research projects for Denmark and Norway. Include all documents including a research log, a research report, pedigree, and family group sheets.
- Utilize genealogical collections and printed sources in the genealogical process.
- Extract and translate genealogical information found in genealogical collection and printed sources.
Learning Model Architecture
The course follows a weekly cycle of Prepare, Teach One Another, and Ponder & Prove activities.
Prepare
You will prepare by studying records, research methods, and lessons specific to the Nordic region. These will help you to complete assignments, research Nordic documents effectively, and perform valuable work in the future. You will have a lot to study each week and will be responsible for thinking ahead and establishing your own productive schedule.
Teach One Another
You will teach one another as you complete specific assignments throughout the semester. Each week you will have the opportunity to share what things you have learned with your classmates as well as learn from them. Many of the skills that you obtain will come from these teaching and learning activities.
Ponder & Prove
You will demonstrate your work each week by completing activities and quizzes.
Required Materials
For this course you will need to use the RootsMagic software. You should have the software from previous courses in the program. The software costs $30 if you have not already purchased the software in one of your former Family History Genealogy courses. You can purchase and download the RootsMagic software here.
If you do not already have the Microsoft Office Suite downloaded to your computer, obtain it now by visiting the BYU-I Microsoft Student Download page, and clicking on the “Download” link. You will need to sign in with your BYU-I username and password. This valuable download is free to BYU-I students.
Course Expectations
General outline of each week
- Each week there are discussion boards, activities, projects, and assignments. Some lessons have many activities and assignments and it may appear overwhelming. Though it may appear daunting, please note that many of them are small activities and may take as little as 20 minutes to complete.
- Discussion boards are opportunities for you to participate in discussions and to teach one another. Participation is important not only for you but also for other classmates. All of your posts will be based on whether or not you contribute and move the discussion forward. Be thoughtful and respectful in all of your posts. If you post something like “I agree” or “That’s a good point” without a solid supporting argument, you will receive no credit for your post.
- Assignments are different from activities in that the instructor will personally grade them. They allow you to ponder what you have learned and to prove that you know the materials you have been studying.
- At the end of each week, you will write a reflection of the things that you have learned and the impressions that you have had. These reflections will be a valuable asset for you as you refer back to them often.
- After finishing the Danish lessons you will be expected to complete a nine hour project in Denmark. The Norwegian project at the end of the semester will act as your final exam. It is also a nine hour project.
- There is an actual exam for your midterm in the middle of the semester.
Writing Requirements
As you complete your assignments throughout the semester, you will be graded on grammar and spelling. As a professional genealogist, you will be expected to write professional type documents. Grammar and spelling errors reflect poorly on your business. Spend time to learn to become a good writer. There are many resources available to help you with this task. In addition, BYU-Idaho offers writing center services.
While writing, make sure that all work is original. If you use other sources, make sure to site them properly. Plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment and possibly the course. Read the following guidelines about plagiarism on BYU-Idaho’s academic honesty site.
Weekly Time Commitment
The online class policy is that for every credit hour, you should expect to spend 3 hours of work per week. For this class, you should plan on spending approximately 9 hours per week.
Grading
Grading in this course will be as follows:
Category | Points |
---|---|
Activities | 2500 |
Assessments | 2755 |
Assignments | 3300 |
Reflections | 325 |
Discussions | 550 |
Total: | 9480 |
Grading Scale | |
---|---|
A | 93%—100% |
A- | 90%—92% |
B+ | 87%—89% |
B | 83%—86% |
B- | 80%—82% |
C+ | 77%—79% |
C | 73%—76% |
C- | 70%—72% |
D+ | 67%—69% |
D | 63%—66% |
D- | 60%—62% |
F | Below 60% |
Plagiarism: (To steal/pass off the ideas of another as your own/without giving credit) of any kind will not be tolerated. Any form of plagiarism, cheating, or attempt to deceive will result in a failing grade.
Resources
Be aware that Google Chrome and Firefox browsers may attempt to block you from entering external sites. With the Google Chrome browser, simply click on the shield on the right side of the URL bar and it should give you access.
If any technical difficulties arise throughout the course, contact the Online Support Center or the Help Desk before contacting the instructor.
Missing Content
Most modern browsers block content that is not secure or does not meet certain security specifications. There may be times when content in this course does not display properly. If you experience this, you may download this document for help.
Online Support Center
Phone: (208) 496-1411
Email: onlinelearning@byui.edu
Website: http://www.byui.edu/online/online-support-center
Text Messaging: (855) 808-7102
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM, MT
Skype: onlinesupportcenterbyui
Live Chat: Available on the Online Support Center Website
Help Desk
Phone: (208) 496-1411
Email: helpdesk@byui.edu
Website: http://www.byui.edu/help-desk
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 9 PM; Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Copyright
Materials on BYU-I I-Learn and related sites may be protected by US Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code). These materials are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.
Additional Information
University Policies
Please become familiar with the University Academic Honesty Policy. Pay particular attention to the links under the BYU-Idaho Standards Related to Academic Honesty.
Policy on Sexual Discrimination/Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an education program or activity that receives federal funds, including Federal loans and grants. Title IX also covers student-to-student sexual harassment. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please contact the Personnel Office at (208) 496-1130.
Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office, (208) 496-1158. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by this office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Personnel Office at (208) 496-1130.
Personal Conduct
All of your correspondence with the teacher or other classmates must be respectful. Writing something disrespectful or “venting” is unprofessional and not becoming of a university student. In addition, it is not in accordance with the Honor Code of BYU-Idaho, and you will be subject to discipline accordingly. You are invited to re-read the BYU-I Honor Code and the “Principles of Personal Honor.” http://www.byui.edu/student-honor-office/ces-honor-code