Course Syllabus
|
|
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2026 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: |
None |
| Faculty Member: |
Jacob Cold |
| Time & Place: |
Monday and Thursday 13:15 - 14:35 |
Course Description
This course offers an integrated approach to Danish language and culture, grounded in embodied and mindful learning. Through movement, play, conversation, and reflection, we explore what it is like to live and study in Denmark. The course aims to mobilize your mental and physical awareness,, to empower you, and deepen your understanding of self.
We will encounter Danish culture through walks, visits, discussions, interactive language practice, and conversations with locals. Engaging in games, creative exercises, shared meals, and physical activities will help us challenge and nourish our bodies and minds. Often outdoor, these activities will make use of the varied urban landscape, but all practices will be accessible to everybody — and every body.
We also read and discuss Danish literature and philosophy — from classic to contemporary — to challenge our way of thinking, and perhaps our life choices. We engage with themes such as trust, happiness, despair, authenticity, conformity and attention span.
Language learning will take a joyful and interactive approach, focusing on spoken, everyday Danish and providing enough repetition for your body to remember it. You will be using the Danish language in your daily life — shopping, small talking, asking questions —gaining the tools and the courage to actually speak Danish. You will, once and for all be able to let go of any silly idea you might have that 'you are not good at languages'.
Major Disciplines: Anthropology, Language, Literature
Related Disciplines: Psychology, Creative Writing
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
Grading
|
Assignment |
Percent |
|
Engaged Participation |
30% |
|
Cultural Assignments (1+2+3) * |
35% |
|
Online Worksheets* |
10% |
|
Oral Exam |
25 % |
|
Total |
100 % |
- Cultural Assignments include a) literary analysis and reflection b) group video om Copenhagen neighbourhood c) cultural reflection portfolio.
- 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 DIS Dansk I. The final deadline to complete the worksheets is the same as the oral exam deadline - see Canvas calendar for details.
Faculty
Jacob Cold
Jacob has 20 years of experience in education: as a teacher at university, folk high school, and high school. He writes travel pieces for Denmark's largest newspaper, Politiken, and has directed and written plays for theatre. Jacob is also an eager athlete, playing water polo, doing yoga, running and more. He has been with DIS since 2017.
Jacob has an MA in English & Drama from King's College London & Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and a BA in Comparative Literature & Social Anthropology, University of Copenhagen.
Please contact Jacob via canvas inbox. He appears under 'People' alongside students. As a secondary option - preferably only for after course contact - use email: jacob.cold@dis.dk
Syllabus
Extracts from the following texts are assigned as homework. Other sources are used, including a variety of podcasts, videos and songs/music.
Andersen, Hans Christian: Complete Fairy Tales and Stories, First Anchor Books Edition, 1983
Alexander, J. & Sandahl, Iben D: The Danish Way of Parenting, Penguin, New York, 2016.
Bregman, Rutger: Human Kind - A Hopeful History' Bloomsbury, London 2020.
Brinckmann, Sven: The Joy of Missing Out, Polity Press, 2019
Carlsen, Jørgen: The Folk High School , The Danish Cultural Institute, Århus, 1997.
Dinesen, Isak (Karen Blixen): Out of Africa, Vintage Books. New York, 1989.
Haari, Johan: Stolen Focus : Why you can't pay attention. Bloomsbury, London 2022.
Ibsen, Henrik: A Doll's House, Methuen Drama, London, 2020.
Iyer, Pico: Why We Travel, Pico Iyer Journeys, https://picoiyerjourneys.com, 2018.
Jensen, Carsten: Welfare, Princeton University Press 2024.
Jespersen, Knud J. V: A History of Denmark', Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
Løgstrup, K.E: The Ethical Demand, University of Notre Dame Press, 1997.
Kierkegaard, Søren: The Essential Kierkegaard, Princeton University Press 2023
Knausgård, Karl Ove: My Struggle, Part 1 Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013
Korneliussen, Niviak: Last Night in Nuuk, Blackcat Publishing, 2019.
Lidegaard, Bo: A Short History of Denmark in the 20th Century, Gyldendal, 2009
Steensgaard, Pernille: Copenhagen: People and Places, Gyldendal, Copenhagen, 2015
Field Studies
Field Studies are experiential encounters with Danish culture and chances to get out of the classroom. They are longer and more in depth than the regular out- of- class -activities They may involve excursions to important cultural highlights, visits to Danish institutions, practical tasks employing the Danish language and much more. Field studies typically involve high school visits, meeting locals & practical interactions with Danes.
Course Resources
Audio Files and Online Worksheets
In the Canvas course Danish Language Resources, you will find audio files and online worksheets that you can use to practice vocabulary, phrases, pronunciation, and grammar throughout the semester. In your textbook DIS DANSK I, the texts with complementary audio files are marked with a headphone symbol.
Online Dictionary: Ordbogen.com
DIS has a subscription to Ordbogen, a Danish-English/English-Danish online dictionary. Go to http://www.ordbogen.com/ and follow the instructions that you have received directly from Ordbogen.com.
Approach to Teaching and Expectations of the Students
The teaching style of this class is highly interactive. You are expected to actively participate in class discussions, to have done the readings and engage in the various exercises involving mind and body.
Learning a language is hard work and requires commitment. It is also a lot of fun. It is a bit like being a child again. Playful. Scary. The ambition is to create a classroom culture in which everyone feels at ease and to make you use Danish outside the classroom daily.
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.
Grading is based on the rubrics found in the Canvas course Danish Language Resources.
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 |
|---|---|---|