Course Syllabus

 
  

Semester & Location:	Fall 24 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 6 credits
Prerequisite(s):	None
Course Instructor:	Mika Sun Black: mbl@dis.dk
Time & Place:	Tuesday & Friday 10:05-13:00 in Room F24-303
Padlet Collage	Pictures, videos and student submissions

 

Course Description

This is an intensive six-credit language and intercultural course that combines the content of two semesters into one, offering you the opportunity to make rapid progress and earn six language credits while studying abroad. Full beginners are absolutely welcome, but please be aware that the course will require a significant amount of work and independent studies. Some classmates may have Danish family or live with Danish host families, which will make them very motivated to learn beyond the classroom.

The teaching approach to Danish is functional, meaning that you will be introduced to everyday spoken Danish through practice, repetition, automation, and continuous reinforcement.

The course will enable you to conceptualize and understand the dynamics of culture. You will develop a comprehensive perspective on culture through various representations of Danish culture. The focus will be on dominant national narratives, values, and symbolism, approached from both historical and even more so contemporary viewpoints. English and Danish texts on history, literature, society, and politics are part of the curriculum. Along with your personal experiences, they will provide a solid foundation for field studies, assignments, and engaging class discussions. Your own observations and critical analyses will be essential components of the course.

You are expected to continue learning outside of the classroom. Download the app duolingo.com in order to gain a larger vocabulary. Keep informed about what is going on in Denmark - it is expected that you will read the Danish news in English (and in Danish), gain a basic knowledge of Danish political and societal structures, and explore Danish culture on your own through movies, TV-shows, music, literature, and various cultural events offered in Copenhagen (and elsewhere).

Learning Objectives  

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of Danish culture and society
• Ability to speak, read, and understand Danish on a basic level
• Gain an understanding of connections between language and culture
• Enhance intercultural awareness and critical reflection
• Develop a sense of belonging
  
  

Faculty

Mika Sun Black holds a Master of Arts in Danish with elective studies in Education from Copenhagen University. Additionally, she has completed a Master’s Programme in Teaching Danish as a Second and Foreign Language to Adults and Adolescents. Moreover, she has authored two educational books about Danish grammar.

A selection of course readings (find all readings under "Files" - email me for broken links)

• Adichie, Ngozi Chimamanda: The danger of a single story, TED Talks, 2009
• Alexander Joelle, Jessica & Dissing Sandahl, Iben: Authenticity in The Danish Way of Parenting, Little Brown Book Group, 2016
• Damsgaard, Pernille Mette: Young people in Denmark are becoming more and more stressed, Science Nordic, 2017
• Erdbrink, Thomas and Sorensen, Martin Selsoe: A Danish Children’s TV Show Has This Message: ‘Normal Bodies Look Like This’, The New York Times, 2020
• Henderson, Jason & Gulsrud, Natalie Marie: Street Fights in Copenhagen - Bicycle and car politics in a green mobility city, Routhledge, 2019
• Hofstede, Geert, Hofstede, Gert Jan, Minkov, Mikael: Cultures and Organizations, McGraw Hill, 2010
• Reiter, K., L. Sexton & J. Sumner: Denmark doesn't treat its prisoners like prisoners - and it's good for everyone, The Washington Post, 2016
• Sørensen, Lasse: Fellow student: What would you prefer? Being called a ‘wog’ or an ‘immigrant’? University Post, 2019
• Trolle Linnet, Jeppe: Money Can't Buy Me Hygge, Berghahn Books, 2011
• Tinggaard Svendsen, Gert: Trust, Aarhus Universitetsforlag, 2018
• Zuckerman, Phil: Society without God, New York University Press, 2020

 

Audio

On Canvas, you will find audio files available for practicing vocabulary, phrases, and pronunciation.
In the textbook DIS DANSK, these audio files are indicated with a little headphone symbol. You can access the audio files on Canvas under Danish Language Resources, Modules.

 

Dictionaries

DIS has a subscription to Ordbogen, a Danish-English/English-Danish online dictionary.

For pronunciation issues, www.sproget.dk will be useful.
Type the Danish word, and press the speaker icon to hear the Danish word pronounced.

For clarification on e.g. nouns' genders, past tense forms, etc., please go to www.dsn.dk.

A simple video with Danish vowel sounds.

 

Field Studies

We will have the following field studies to explore Danish culture beyond the classroom:

• Field Study 1: Sep 4 @ 08:30-12:30: Visit to the Danish Architecture Center
• Social Field Study: "Giant Steps" Ballet on Sep 18 @20:00-23:00 in The Danish Royal Theater (voluntary)  Deadline for sign up: Aug 30!
• Field Study 2: Oct 2 @ 08:30-12:30: Hygge + "Another Round" (movie)
• Feld Study 3: Oct 23 @ 13:00-17:00: Find Calendar Event
• Field Study 3: Nov 13 @13:00-17:00: Danish Childhood + "RITA" (TV Show)
  
  
• Furthermore, we will visit The National Gallery and a Danish High School within regular classes. 

Approach to Teaching

The teaching style of this class is interactive and dynamic. Active participation in class discussions, completing readings, and other homework (1-3 hours per class = 4-12 hours pr. week) are expected, along with bringing notes, questions, and relevant observations to class.

As part of the overall evaluation, there will be quizzes and smaller weekly assignments.
Please note that late submissions might not be evaluated or could result in a grade deduction.

Learning a language requires hard work and commitment, as well as active engagement.
The goal is to foster a classroom culture where everyone feels comfortable attempting to pronounce unfamiliar Danish sounds and words. If you feel uncomfortable with the approach of being called out in class, which is part of my didactic strategy, please communicate this to me, and together, we will find a solution.

Collaboration in pairs and groups will be frequent.
Please show respect to your partner(s) by coming prepared and on time.

Being late for classes may impact your participation grade.

 

Sickness and absence

If you are feeling unwell, please inform me via email before the class to be excused from participation.
Medical proof from a doctor is not necessary; I trust your honesty.

Please be aware that there won't be any extra credit assignments provided.
You can compensate for the absence by participating extra well when you are present.

As a standard policy, the Academic Support Team will be notified after 2 unexcused absences.
For any particularly difficult situations, you can always reach out to care@dis.dk.

Diasability and Resource Statement

Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

 

Course Grade

	Percent
Engaged Participation incl. Field Studies	20%
Cultural Assignment 1 (Video Project)	10 %
Cultural Assignment 2 (Final Paper)	20%
Written Midterm (Language)	10%
Oral Midterm (Language)	10%
Written Final Exam (Language)	15 %
Oral Final Exam (Language)	15 %

This teacher requires you to do worksheets (find in 'modules') that match what we're learning in the DIS DANSK book. So, before the class starts on Chapter 3 in DIS DANSK, please finish the worksheets for Chapter 2 independently. 

Formatting in Final Paper

• To ensure impartial grading, please don't include your name in the paper.
• Font: Arial or Times New Roman
• Font size: 12
• Line spacing: 1,5 lines
• To pass, this paper must include a minimum of 2 relevant references, with at least 1 source being scholarly to display obtained knowledge about Danish culture and society.
  • References within the paper should follow this format:
    Surname, year, page, e.g.: (Svendsen, 2014: 12).
  • Provide a full reference list at the back of the paper with the author's name, title of the work, publishing house/website name, and year, e.g.:
    Svendsen, Gert Tinggaard: From Ice Age to Welfare: Trust, Aarhus University Press, 2014
  • Add the URL if the article is from a digital site.

>> Avoid "commonsense facts". Support statements with references and examples:

"Danish children are more independent than American children.

Late papers will get a reduced grade.

Academic Regulations 

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

• Course Enrollment and Grading
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org