Course Syllabus
Intense 6-credit Danish Course
| Time & Location: |
Tuesday & Friday - 8:30-11:25 |
| Prerequisites: |
None |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 6 credits |
| Faculty: |
Janne Helene Knutzen |
|
Class Representatives: |
Alicia, Casey & Mira |
| Anticipated weekly prep time: |
8-10 hours |
| Audio & Worksheets Level I |
|
|
Audio & Worksheets |
|
| Dictionary |
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
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Acquire knowledge and understanding of Danish culture and society
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Speak, read, and understand Danish on a basic level
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Understand the connections between language and culture
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Enhance intercultural awareness and critical reflection
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Develop a sense of belonging
Faculty
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 & Online Worksheets
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.
The online worksheets to the textbooks are mandatory, and they count towards your participation grade. The worksheets are aligned with the textbook chapters and must be completed as we progress. You are expected to submit the worksheet for each chapter before we start working on the next one—please refer to the individual deadlines listed under "Assignments" on Canvas. Late submissions will result in a deduction to your participation grade.
Dictionaries
DIS has a subscription Links to an external site. to Ordbogen, a Danish-English/English-Danish online dictionary.
For pronunciation issues, www.sproget.dk Links to an external site. 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 Links to an external site..
A simple video with Danish vowel sounds.
Field Studies
We will have the following field studies to explore Danish culture beyond the classroom:
- EXPLORE CPH + Class Dinner at Absalon
- City Walk
- Amalienborg Palace
- KU.BE
- Visit to 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 per week) is 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, commitment, and 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 on in class, which is part of my didactic strategy, please communicate this to me so we can find a solution together.
Collaboration in pairs and groups will be frequent. Please show respect to your partner(s) by coming prepared and on time. Being late for class may impact your participation grade.
Sickness and absence
If you are feeling unwell, please inform me via the Canvas Inbox before class to be excused from participation. Medical proof from a doctor is not necessary; I trust your honesty.
Please be aware that there will be no extra credit assignments. You can compensate for an absence by participating especially well when you are present.
As a standard policy, the Academic Support Team will be notified after two unexcused absences. For any particularly difficult situations, you can always reach out to care@dis.dk.
Disability and Resource Statement
Any student who needs accommodations based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. To receive accommodations, students must 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% |
| Oral Midterm (Language) |
10% |
| Written Final Exam (Language) |
20% |
| Oral Final Exam (Language) |
20% |
You are required to complete worksheets that correspond with Danish at DIS. For example, before the class begins Chapter 2, you must independently complete the worksheets for Chapter 2 (see the Calendar for more details).
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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