Course Syllabus

Danish Language & Culture Level 1

                                                              Photo: Nina Honoré Lahav

Course Description

This course is an integrated language and culture course which serves as the ideal entry point for your studies abroad in Denmark. Offering an introduction to the Danish language while also exploring key themes in Danish culture and society, this course will help you navigate and make sense of your new environment. It also supports a growing sense of place and belonging during you time abroad.

Language learning focuses on spoken, everyday Danish, reading and listening comprehension as well as basic grammar, allowing you to interact in simple and practical ways in your local surroundings. This functional approach is reflected in classroom interactions, hands-on exercises, and experiential learning through field studies in Copenhagen and surrounding areas.

As an integrated language and culture course, we will examine how culture is embedded in language through common and distinctive expressions and concepts. We will also engage openly and critically with the values, symbols, and both dominant and marginalized narratives in Danish culture and history, exploring how these elements continue to shape identities today. An important part of this process will be your own observations of Danish culture and society during your study abroad experience. With Denmark as your case study, this course will enhance your ability to reflect on and engage with other cultures from an intercultural perspective.

Journal: To support your learning in this course, you will keep a journal throughout the semester to help you develop your critical thinking and study culture from an intercultural perspective.

 

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

Faculty

Nina Honoré Lahav holds a Master's degree in Teaching Danish as a Second Language from Aarhus University, which she earned in 2001. In 1993-95, she pursued Hebrew studies in Israel, and in 1996-97, she completed courses in linguistics and psychology at Harvard University. In addition, she holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Spanish Business Language from Copenhagen Business School, which she obtained in 1992. Since 2001, Nina has been a valuable member of the DIS team.

Pedagogy and Student Expectations

Classroom Culture: The teaching style of this class is highly interactive. You are expected to actively participate in discussions, complete all readings and homework beforehand, and arrive with notes, questions, and relevant observations.

Language Learning: Learning a new language is hard work and requires a high level of commitment. Our ambition is to create a supportive classroom culture where everyone feels comfortable practicing unfamiliar Danish sounds and words.

Analogue in a Digital World: In this class, you will receive a physical journal. This is where you will take class notes, complete homework, record observations, and do exercises. You are expected to use it daily, as we will share entries and collaborate using these journals throughout the semester. The journal will contribute directly to your participation grade.

Engaged Participation: Active engagement is an integral part of this course and heavily influences your final evaluation. Participation requires thorough preparation and a voluntary contribution of knowledge and ideas. Additionally, specific tasks—such as photography assignments, Danish audio recordings, and journaling—will be assessed as part of your participation grade.

Reading List

Bagdad in Copenhagen, Martin Zerlang
Copenhagen City Walls, Copenhagen Museum
Denmark -A big small state, Uffe Østergaard
Dogma 95
Flexicurity, Claus Thustrup Kreiner and Michael Svarer
Life between the buildings, Jan Geel
Money Can't Buy Me Hygge, Jesper Trollet Linnet
Prologue 1849-1901, Bo Lidegaard
Solidarity as a legal and Constitutional Principle, Duru, Sejersen, Trends
The Danish Way of Parenting, Alexander
The Folk High School, Jørgen Carlsen
The Nordic Welfare Model, Mary Hilson
Trust, Svend Tingaard Svendsen

Grading

Assignment	Percent
Engaged Participation	30%
Cultural Assignments (1+2)	35%
Online Worksheets*	10%
Oral Exam	25 %
Total	100 %

About Online Worksheets

Worksheets are part of the final grading and can be accessed in the "Danish at DIS" Canvas course.

Please note: Worksheets for Chapters 1–5 must be fully completed to receive credit; incomplete sheets will receive 0 points.

Final deadline: December 4 at 11:59 PM

Please see Guidelines and assessment criteria for worksheets.

Field Studies

Field Studies This course includes three Field Studies designed to use Copenhagen as an extension of our classroom. Your experiences and observations during these sessions will serve as foundational material for your course journal (assessed through participation) and will directly inform your final group video project. Because these sessions are integral to your coursework, missing a Field Study will negatively impact your participation grade.

 

Field study 1: When Bagdad came to Copenhagen. Tivoli assignment.

September 3 at 18:00

 

Field study 2: Gymnasium in Denmark. Danish High School visit.

September 30 at 8:30

 

Field study 3: Film Festival. Posthusteatret for a film screening.

November 11 at 13:00