Danish Language and Culture: Marginalized Groups and the Welfare State

 

Semester & Location:	Fall 2025 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:	Language, Anthropology, Sociology, Public Policy
Prerequisite(s):	None
Faculty Members:	Tina Nielsen
Time & Place:	Monday & Thursday 11:40-13:00.

Course Description

This course integrates language and cultural studies, offering a unique exploration of Danish life and language through the perspectives of vulnerable and marginalized communities. Serving as an ideal introduction to your studies in Denmark, the course not only provides foundational knowledge of the Danish language but also engages with key themes in Danish culture and society, focusing on the experiences of those at the margins. It aims to help you better navigate and understand your new environment, enhancing your sense of belonging and connection during your time abroad.

Denmark is renowned for its comprehensive welfare state, yet vulnerable and marginalized individuals still exist within society. In this course, we will examine key elements of Danish social policy and delve into the experiences of those affected. Why do we encounter homelessness in a welfare state like Denmark? How are drug users perceived in Copenhagen, and what political measures are in place to address this issue? Furthermore, what social services does the municipality of Copenhagen offer to young people at risk of gang involvement or facing critical personal struggles?

Our engagement with various vulnerable and marginalized groups will foster discussions and provide valuable insights into Danish culture, history, and politics more broadly. We will also explore how cultural attitudes and perspectives on social policy are reflected in the language, focusing on the terms used in Danish to describe these communities. What can we learn about Danish traditions, values, beliefs, and societal tensions through our exploration of these groups?

Language learning in this course will focus on conversational Danish, reading comprehension, and foundational grammar, enabling you to engage in basic interactions with your local environment. This practical approach is reflected in classroom activities, hands-on exercises, and experiential learning through field studies in and around Copenhagen.

Learning Objectives

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of Danish culture and society, focusing on the experiences of those at the margins in the welfare state
• 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

Tina Nielsen has a master's degree in German and a BA in English from Aarhus University, School of Business and Social Sciences. In addition to that she has a master's degree in Teaching Adults Danish as a Second Language, and several courses in cultural studies from the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen. She has been with DIS since 2012.

Readings

Bancroft, Morgan & Houborg, Esben: "Managing Coexistence: Resident Experiences of the Open Drug Scene and Drug Consumption Rooms in Inner Vesterbro, Copenhagen", SAGE, 2020

Benjaminsen, Lars et al.: "Family background and social marginalisation in Denmark", SFI - Det nationale forskningscenter for velfærd, Copenhagen, 2015

Benjaminsen, Lars: "Housing First in Denmark: An Analysis of the Coverage Rate among Homeless People and Types of Shelter Users", The Danish Center for Social Science Research, Copenhagen, 2018

Lidegaard, Bo: “Prologue. A short history of Denmark in the 20th century", Gyldendal,  2009

Mørck et al.: "Co-creating practices", Frydenlund Academic, The Luther and Frydenlund, Copenhagen, 2023

Qvotrup, Sune et al.:"Crime and Ethnic Minorities. Part II. Mapping Causal Explanations", University of Aalborg, Det Kriminalpræventive Råd, 2019

Videos:

"The danger of a single story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, TED, 2009 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zegLinks to an external site.

Field Studies

In this course we have two field studies, during which we will visit various projects in Copenhagen that support socially marginalized people. These visits will complement class presentations and discussions providing practical insights that will deepen students' understanding of the course topics.

Guest Lecturers

In this course, we will have a guest lecturer who used to work as a crisis psychologist at ‘Mændenes Hjem’ (The men’s home) on Vesterbro in Copenhagen. A place for marginalized people with dual diagnoses - for example, a drug addiction and different mental issues. 

Approach to Teaching & Expectations of the Students

The teaching style of this class is interactive. You are expected to actively participate in class discussions, to have done the readings and other homework, and come to class with notes, questions and relevant observations.

Learning a language is hard work and requires a lot of commitment. The ambition is to create a classroom culture in which everyone feels at ease trying to pronounce the unfamiliar Danish sounds and words.

Engaged participation is an integrated part of class and will be a large part of the course evaluation. Participating in class discussion requires a high level of preparation and a voluntary contribution of knowledge and ideas. In addition, when speaking Danish or discussing the connection between language and culture it is important to meet the level of preparation required to be an active participant.

DIS Accommodations Statement 

Your learning experience in this class is important to me.  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

Learning a new language means making mistakes, so don’t worry about perfection—just dive in and have fun with it. Focus on mastering new sounds and vowels, keep practicing, and you’ll soon be able to form phrases and understand what’s being said around you. Completing worksheets, listening to podcasts, and practicing Danish as much as possible are key to your success in this course, so come prepared to each class.

The assigned culture texts cover important aspects of Danish history, values, and society from the perspective of the socially marginalized people. In class, we’ll go beyond the texts, discussing these topics in depth, and I expect you to read carefully, take notes, and reflect on how they compare to your own culture. Your participation in discussions will help create an engaging, vibrant classroom experience.

Grading

Assignment	Percent
Engaged Participation	30%
Cultural Assignments (1+2)	35%
Online Worksheets*	10%
Oral Exam	25%

• Online Worksheets for chapter 1-5 are part of the final grading and can be accessed in the "DLC: Resources, Worksheets, audio and video files, and exam guidelines" Canvas course. We encourage to complete the worksheets throughout the semester as they correspond to the chapters in the text book. The final deadline to complete the worksheets is the same as the oral exam deadline midnight - see Canvas calendar for details. 

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