Course Syllabus
Travel Writing |
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2025 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Communication, Creative Writing, Literature |
| Prerequisite(s): |
None |
| Faculty Members: |
Tore Grønne (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Time & Place: |
Mondays & Thursdays 14:50-16:10 - S26-100 REGARDING ACCESS TO THE ROOM From Skindergade, Please use this CODE: Key-button +2024 to open the green gate and two following doors. |
Course Description
The world is full of fascinating people and places – and stories waiting to be told. Travel writers capture these stories and pass them on to their readers. Good travel writers make us care about the world we live in.
In this class, you will learn to identify relevant stories, how to gather material and how to release all of this in well-written pieces. Our main focus is narrative journalism – the kind of stories you would normally see as features in travel magazines.
This is a hands-on workshop-based class. You will be writing your own stuff from the very first day. You will also be expected to find stories in the local community and approach locals to engage in conversations. Several sessions will take place outside the classroom in the streets of Copenhagen.
In the classroom, we invest a lot of time in giving each other feedback on our writing. This way you will improve your ability to read both your own and others’ work in a critical light, which will strengthen both your analyzing and writing skills.
You will also read inspiring articles by published authors, meet interesting guests, and get an insight into travel writing on a professional level.
Learning Objectives
- To use writing as a tool for discovering, sharing, and interpreting personal encounters with people, places, and cultures.
- To master narrative techniques like writing scenes, finding your own voice, and structuring the story.
- To learn the conventions of good travel writing.
- To develop a portfolio of work that draws on your experiences during this term abroad and includes observation, description, and reflection.
- To raise awareness of ethics in travel writing and pitfalls like stereotyping foreign cultures.
Expectations of the Students
I expect you to attend all class sessions unless prohibited by illness or an emergency. Participation makes up 20 % of your grade.
Regardless of whether the work under consideration is by a famous published writer or by a fellow student, I expect you to read it closely and come to class prepared to discuss it respectfully and thoroughly.
I expect you to turn in assignments on time (this is necessary to give your readers a chance to thoroughly consider your papers before they are workshopped) and to incorporate the constructive opinions of the workshop as you revise.
I also expect that, while being honest, you will be kind and respectful when you critique others’ work and will strive to be open and receptive when others critique yours.
Travel Writing is a course that benefits from class discussions. This demands full engagement from all and students are not allowed to use smartphones in class.
Faculty
Tore Grønne. Author, editor in chief of an outdoor/adventure magazine, freelance writer and keynote speaker. Member of The Adventurers' Club of Denmark. BA in Journalism from Danish School of Journalism & San Francisco State University. Written and photographed travel features on 6 continents. Author of three books about his own travels and contributor to a number of books about travels, expeditions, and adventurers. With DIS since 2022.
Readings
All readings will be posted on Canvas.
The following titles are examples of readings, not a complete list.
- Erika Fatland – Love in the Time of the Taliban
- Geert Mak – The Bridge – A Journey Between Orient and Occident (extract)
- Alain de Botton - The Art of Travel
- Will Hunt – A Three-Day Expedition To Walk Across Paris Entirely Underground
- Thomas Swick – A Moving Experience
- William Zinsser - Travel Writing
- Jack Hart - Story Craft
- Sarah Menkedick – On interviewing
- Alexandra Fuller – Patagonia Cowboys
- Tahir Shah – The Caliph’s House – A Year in Casablanca (extract)
- Bruce Chatwin – In Patagonia (extract)
Guest Lecturers
During the semester a couple of experienced travel writers will stop in and share their stories and approach to telling good stories.
DIS Accommodations Statement
If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support academicsupport@dis.dk
Evaluation
Over the course if the semester, all students will turn in different papers.
The Main Paper makes up 30 % and ''Hidden Places of Copenhagen' makes up 20% of the total grade. In connection with these papers workshopping, rewriting, and refining are important parts of the writing process. The grade you receive for the papers will be based mainly on the final version, but I will also consider the effort you put into improving the pieces throughout the entire process.
You will also receive a grade based on different writing exercises in the first weeks of the semester, People and Place. This makes up 20 % of the total grade.
Finally, the Participation grade make up 30 %. Your effort during workshopping sessions are also a part of this grade.
Grading
PARTICIPATION; 30 %
Participation includes attendance, coming prepared to class, joining thoughtfully in class discussions, completing the readings, and doing in-class writing exercises.
VARIOUS ASSIGNMENTS - PEOPLE AND PLACE: 20 %
Overall grade based on various writing exercises and assignments in the first weeks of the course. All small assignments (both those handed in on Canvas and handwritten ones based on street exercises). 'Hidden Stories of Copenhagen' will be graded separately.
HIDDEN STORIES OF COPENHAGEN: 20 %
1,5–2 pages (line spacing 1,5). A nonfiction story that takes place in Copenhagen. You get to work with people, place and story relevance.
MAIN PAPER: 30 %
3-4 pages (line spacing 1,5) from Copenhagen or from one of your travels in Denmark this semester.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
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