Course Syllabus

Class Representatives

Jonas, Denver, Cameron

---

Danish Level I & II - Course Description

Danish Level I & II is an intensive six-credit language and intercultural course that combines the content of two semesters into one. The course gives you the opportunity to make rapid progress in Danish while developing a deeper understanding of Danish culture and society.

Complete beginners are absolutely welcome. However, because this is an intensive course, you should be prepared to invest significant time in independent study and practice. You may also find that some classmates have Danish family members or live with Danish host families, giving them additional opportunities and motivation to use Danish outside the classroom.

Our approach to Danish is functional and communication-oriented. You will learn Danish as it is actually used in everyday life through speaking, listening, repetition, practice, automation, and continuous reinforcement. The goal is not simply to learn about Danish, but to develop the confidence and skills to use Danish in real-life situations.

Alongside language learning, the course explores the dynamics of culture and the ways in which culture is expressed, negotiated, and experienced. We will examine Danish culture through a variety of perspectives and representations, with particular attention to dominant national narratives, values, norms, and symbols. While we will consider historical perspectives, our primary focus will be on contemporary Danish society.

English and Danish texts on Danish history, literature, society, and politics are part of the curriculum. Together with your own experiences and observations in Denmark, these materials will provide a foundation for field studies, assignments, and class discussions. Your own observations, questions, and critical reflections are an essential part of the course.

---

Faculty

---

Learning Objectives  

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of Danish culture and society.
• Speak, read, and understand Danish at a basic level.
• Understand the relationship between language and culture.
• Develop intercultural awareness and the ability to reflect critically on cultural differences and similarities.
• Develop a sense of belonging and greater confidence navigating Danish society.

---

Field Studies
Throughout the semester, we will explore Danish culture beyond the classroom through field studies and visits, including:

1. Museum of Danish Resistance
2. City walk - Livability in CPH
3. Christiansborg Palace
4. Highschool visit
5. Social Field Study: Dinner at Folkehuset Absalon

These activities are an important part of the course and provide opportunities to connect what we discuss in class with Danish society and everyday life.

---

Course Expectations

This is an interactive and dynamic course, and your active participation is an essential part of your learning. You are expected to:

• Participate actively in class discussions, pair work, and group activities.
• Complete assigned readings, worksheets, and other homework.
• Spend approximately 8–10 hours per week on course-related work outside of class, including preparation and independent study.
• Bring notes, questions, and relevant observations to class.
• Complete quizzes and smaller weekly assignments.
• Arrive prepared and on time.

Learning a language requires practice, persistence, and a willingness to make mistakes. You will be encouraged to experiment with unfamiliar Danish sounds, words, and expressions and to gradually build confidence in speaking.

Being called on in class is part of my teaching strategy and gives everyone regular opportunities to practice speaking. If this approach creates a particular challenge for you, please talk to me so that we can find a solution together.

Collaboration in pairs and groups will be a regular part of the course. Please respect your classmates by coming prepared, participating actively, and arriving on time. Repeated lateness may affect your participation grade.

Late assignments may not be evaluated or may result in a deduction to your participation grade.

---

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Language learning does not stop when class ends. You are expected to actively seek opportunities to use and encounter Danish outside the classroom.

To support your learning, you should:

• Use Duolingo or another language-learning app to expand your vocabulary.
• Keep up with current events in Denmark by reading Danish news in English and, whenever possible, in Danish.
• Develop a basic understanding of Danish political and societal structures.
• Explore Danish culture through films, TV shows, music, literature, museums, and cultural events in Copenhagen and beyond.
• Pay attention to the Danish language around you and bring interesting words, expressions, questions, and observations to class.

---

Course readings 

A selection of course readings includes:

• 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

All course readings can be found under “Files” in Canvas. Please contact me if you encounter a broken link.

---

Audio & Online Worksheets

In Canvas, you will find podcasts designed to help you practice vocabulary, phrases, pronunciation, and listening comprehension. In the Danish at DIS textbook, these podcasts are marked with QR codes. You can access them by scanning the QR code or through Canvas under Danish at DIS - A sense of belonging. 

The online worksheets are mandatory and count toward your participation grade. They follow the chapters in the textbook and should be completed as we progress through the course.

You are expected to submit each chapter's worksheet before we begin working on the following chapter. Please check the individual deadlines under Assignments in Canvas.

Late submissions may result in a deduction to your participation grade.

---

Dictionaries, Language Resources 
DIS provides a subscription to Ordbogen, an online Danish-English/English-Danish dictionary.

For pronunciation, www.sproget.dk is a useful resource. Enter the Danish word, and click the speaker icon to hear its pronunciation.

For questions about grammar, such as noun genders, verb forms, and other language details, www.dsn.dk. can be helpful. You will also find a short video introducing Danish vowel sounds in Canvas.

---

AI and Language Learning

AI can be a useful learning tool, but it cannot replace your own language practice. Learning Danish requires you to build vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and communication skills through repetition, mistakes, feedback, and active use.

As an experienced Danish instructor, I can usually tell when written language does not reflect a beginner’s actual level. The purpose is not to catch students using AI, but to make sure that your assignments reflect what you can actually do in Danish.

You are welcome to use AI to ask questions, practice vocabulary, or get explanations. However, when an assignment asks you to produce Danish, the Danish should be your own. The goal is not perfect Danish—it is to become able to communicate in Danish yourself.

---

Sickness and absence

If you are feeling unwell, please inform me through the Canvas Inbox before class so that your absence can be excused. Medical documentation is not necessary; I trust you to make responsible decisions about your health.

Please note that there are no extra-credit assignments to compensate for absences. If you miss a class, you can demonstrate your engagement by participating especially actively when you return.

As a standard DIS policy, the Academic Support Team will be notified after two unexcused absences.

If you are dealing with a particularly difficult situation that affects your attendance or participation, please 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).