Course Syllabus
Course Title |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2026 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective course |
| Major Disciplines: |
Communication, Leadership, Political Science
|
| Related Disciplines |
Business and Sociology |
| Prerequisite(s): | None |
| Corequisite Course(s): | None |
| Faculty Members: |
Ditte Marie Egebjerg-Rantzau Peter Egebjerg-Rantzau (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Time & Place: |
Tuesday, 14.50-17.45 |
Course Description
This course aims to equip future leaders with skills that will enable them to engage in social change across lines of difference. Leadership happens at many levels in society, and we are all leaders in various contexts of our lives. So, you do not have to aspire to become a CEO or any other kind of personnel leader to sign up for this course.
We believe that the grand challenges we face today will require undergoing processes of inner transformation, contemplation, and deep reflection. Studying abroad offers students a unique opportunity to cultivate these essential leadership skills that will enable them to intentionally take agency as change leaders.
Learning Objectives
- to strengthen students' capacities to collaborate and to co-create participatory spaces of learning and growth
- to increase students’ level of self-awareness and enhance their capacities to engage in mutually committed communities or organizational settings
- to foster a mindset of lifelong learning guided by curiosity and creative grit
- to increase students’ awareness of dominant narratives and invite them to co-create new narratives rooted in ethical and sustainable considerations
- to increase students’ ability to work in a cross-disciplinary setting in group project based problem solving
Faculty
Ditte Marie Egebjerg-Rantzau
Cand. mag. in Nordic Literature and French, Vice Consul at the Royal Danish Consulate of Ethiopia (2000). Educator at Novo Nordisk and Mærsk (-2006). With DIS since 2006, Certified in True Storytelling 2023, Certified in The Inner MBA Program 2025, Certified in Leading From the Emerging Future (MIT) 2026. Other courses taught at DIS: Social Change and Active Citizenship (SU1), Postcolonial Storytelling, Narratives and Agency (SU2), Danish Language and Culture Through Personal Storytelling.
Peter Egebjerg-Rantzau
Master (Strategy, Organisation and Leadership; Copenhagen Business School, 2001), BA (Communication, Colorado State University, 1993). Previously employed as General Manager at From Function, Rosendahl A/S (2004-2006), International Brand Director at Pandora A/S (2006-2008), Joint CEO at Munio (2008-2012), Head of Department at Profilrejser (2013-2014), Managing Director of Kinraden from 2014-2016. Currently Special Consultant at Ballerup Municipality since 2016. With DIS since 2015. Certified in True Storytelling 2023, Certified in The Inner MBA Program 2025, Certified Coach in Narrative Practice from DISPUK 2026. Other course taught at DIS: Creative Industries: Business, Innovation, Politics and Culture.
Readings and references:
brown, adrienne maree: Emergent Strategy, Shaping Change, Changing Worlds, AK Press, 2017.
Colonna, Jerry: Reboot, Harper Business, 2019
Colonna, Jerry: Reunion, Harper Business, 2023
Davies, Jeffrey: Tracking Wonder: Reclaiming a Life of Meaning and Possibility in a World Obsessed with Productivity, Sounds True, 2021
Fersh, Robert and Levison, Mariah: From Conflict to Convergence – Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems, Wiley, 2024
Ganz, Marshall: People, Power, Change, Organizing for Democratic Renewal, Oxford University Press, 2024
Ginwright, Shawn: The Four Pivots – Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves, North Atlantic Books, 2022.
Hall, John A., Korsgaard, Ove and Pedersen, Ove K. (eds.): Building the Nation: N.F.S. Grundtvig and Danish National Identity. McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2015.
Hemphill, Prentis: What It Takes to Heal – How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World, Random House, New York 2024.
hooks, bell: Teaching to Transgress. Education as the Practice of Freedom, Routledge, 1994.
Kegan, Robert and Lahey, Lisa Laskow: Immunity to Change – How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization, Harvard Business Press, Boston 2009.
Kethledge, Raymond M. and Erwin, Michael S.: Lead Yourself First – Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude, Bloomsbury, 2017
powell, john a.: The Power of Bridging – How to Build a World Where We All Belong, Sounds True, 2024
Scharmer, Otto: Presencing - 7 Practices for Transforming Self, Society and Business, Berrett-Koelher Publishers, 2025
Field Studies
This is an explorative course with many activities outside the classroom. We will be visiting local organizations and businesses and using Copenhagen as our classroom. Please see calendar for more details. More info will be provided in class.
Approach to Teaching
You can expect an interactive, dynamic and co-creative learning environment. We will take our point of departure in the collaborative approach to learning practiced in the Danish People’s High Schools. The schools played a pivotal role in the development of Danish democratic traditions in the 19th century and their impact on Danish education and society can be traced to this day. In the tradition of the Danish People’s High School, education is seen as something that takes place in and between citizens – through conversations about who we are as individuals, as a community, and most importantly, who we imagine that we can become. In our initial modules, we will explore how this approach to democratic learning can support our formation as social change leaders today.
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
Active engagement
We are embarking on a collective learning journey, and from day one we will work on co-creating a strong class room community together. Active engagement is not only about raising your voice in class, but also about actively listening to guest speakers and not the least, the contributions of your peers. We will expect you to limit screen use in class, on field trips to a minimum. We will hand out notebooks for you to use throughout the course.
Discussion Posts
Discussion posts will be assigned to supplement our class room discussions. The discussion posts will offer us a chance to reflect on academic activities and raise questions which deserve further research.
Group project
The group project is an essential part of our collaborative leadership journey. The purpose of the group project is to allow for deeper engagement in problems or dilemmas that you have become interested in throughout the semester.
Reflection papers
You will write two short reflection papers. They will constitute crucial steps in your learning journey towards becoming a more self aware and socially conscious leader.
| Assignment |
Percent |
| Engaged Participation |
30% |
|
Group Project |
20% |
|
Reflection Papers |
30% |
|
Discussion Posts |
20% |
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 |
|---|---|---|