Course Syllabus
| Location: |
Tuesday & Friday - 10:05-1:00 |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 6 credits |
| Faculty: |
Janne Helene Knutzen |
| Anticipated weekly prep time: |
6-8 hours |
| Class representatives: |
Sofie, Anna, Hunter, Conrad, Joseph, Abby, Jake |
| Padlet: | |
| Danish Music: |
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
Janne Helene Knutzen holds an M.A. in Danish and a B.A. in Linguistics from Copenhagen University. With a rich teaching background, she worked as a language teacher at Copenhagen Language Center from 2012 to 2019 and as a Danish teacher at KBH Syd from 2019 to 2021. Janne has been a part of DIS since 2021.
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
Audio
In Canvas, you can find podcasts that you can use to practice vocabulary, phrases, and pronunciation. In the textbook "Danish at DIS", they are marked with a QR-code. The podcasts can be found by scanning the QR-code or on Canvas under Danish at DIS - A sense of belonging.
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: Breakfast & Citywalk in Copenhagen
- Field Study 2: DAC - Danish Architecture Center
- Field Study 3: Explore Copenhagen's neighborhoods - Group work
- Feld Study 4: A visit at a Danish high school
Approach to Teaching
The teaching style of this class is interactive and dynamic. Active participation in class discussions, completing readings, and other homework (8-10 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
| Assessment |
Percent |
| Engaged Participation in class and field studies (language assignment, quizzes, presentations and initiative in class and 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 that match what we're learning in 'Danish at DIS'. So, before the class starts on Chapter 2 in the book, please finish the worksheets for Chapter 2 independently.
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:
| Date | Details | Due |
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