viðfangsefnin

Viðfangsefnin is the definite plural form of viðfangsefni, a term used in Icelandic to denote topics, issues, or questions that are intended to be addressed in study, research, or work. In educational settings it refers to the subjects or themes that guide a course or an assignment, as well as the questions a student is asked to investigate. In research and project planning, viðfangsefnin identify the core problems or topics the work will explore and respond to.

The word is a compound formed from við- and fang with the noun-forming suffix -fni, yielding roughly “things to be faced” or “issues to address.” The definite plural form is viðfangsefnin.

Usage: In a syllabus, one might specify the viðfangsefnin of a course; in a research proposal, they outline the central questions. The term emphasizes substantive content rather than the concrete tasks, and it is often used alongside or in contrast with verkefni, which denotes assignments or tasks to be completed.

See also: kenningum or learning science terms such as námskrá, rannsóknarspurningar, markmið, kennsluaðferðir.