Norwegian Literature as a Resource for Diversity in Education Exploring Hamsun, Undset, and Bjørnson

Introduction   

PART I 

1.           Hamsun’s Growth of the Soil: Celebrating Self-Reliance

2.           Johann Gottlieb, Teutonic Ideals and Hamsun’s racism   

3.           Hamsun, Luther, and the Sacredness of Whiteness           

4.           Inger’s Journey in Hamsun’s Forest: Bound but Strong      

5.           Isak as Homo Economicus: Capitalism and Colonial Mindsets 

6.           White mobility: Village to Forest and Sellenrå to the USA

7.           Applying Dialogic Theory to Hamsun’s Growth of the Soil              

PART II

8.           Garlands of Honor: Kristin Lavransdatter and Izzat             

9.           Kristin Lavransdatter: A Mirror of Religious and Cultural Evolution           

10.        Father-Daughter Bonds in Kristin Lavransdatter    

11.        Foucault, Kristin Lavransdatter, and the Patriarchal Panopticon

12.        Romantic Hierarchies: Class in the Garland           

13.        Lady Åshild: A Postcolonial Challenge to Religious Hegemony   

14.        Applying a Pedagogy of Discomfort to Kristin Lavransdatter         

Part III 

15.        Solbakken & Granliden: Bjørnson’s Intercultural Shadows            

16.        Rural Roots, Urban Realities: Synnøve Solbakken and Intercultural Identity              

17.        Words as Weapons: Symbolic Violence in Bjørnson’s Tale            

18.        The Scars of Abandonment: From Aslak to Afghanistan  

19.        Church and School in Synnøve Solbakken: Norway’s Civilizing Missions              

20.        Reclaiming Emigration: From Synnøve Solbakken to Coming to America              

21.        Applying Postcolonial Pedagogy to Bjørnson’s Synnøve Solbakken         

Conclusion    

Biography

Paul Thomas (PhD, King’s College, London) is a Professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway, Institute of Pedagogy, Department of Educational Science at the Faculty of Humanities, Sports and Educational Science. His academic expertise spans multicultural and religious education, emphasizing the intersection of religion, science, and pedagogy. Thomas has authored several books of which recent ones include: Media and Education: Addressing Racism in Norway published by Brill (2025), Education and Cultural Evolution in Norway’s Multiethnic Society: Bridges to Belonging published by Springer Nature (2025) and Too Black to Be Here? Exploring Racism in Norway through Four Critical Case Studies (Emerald). His research often explores issues of diversity, race, and inclusion, critically analyzing Norwegian society’s multicultural realities. A co-leader of the research group “Minorities and Education”, Thomas actively engages in media debates, public lectures, and policy discussions, advocating for diversity and inclusion in education. His work aims to promote critical pedagogy and combat racism, fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse communities.