Course Syllabus

Course Title

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

Davidson, Richard J. and Dahl, Cortland: Born to Flourish - How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Path to Thriving, Avid Reader Press, 2026

Davies, Jeffrey: Tracking Wonder - Reclaiming a Life of Meaning and Possibility in a World Obsessed with Productivity, Sounds True, 2021

Ganz, Marshall: People, Power, Change, Organizing for Democratic Renewal, Oxford University Press, 2024

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

Kethledge, Raymond M. and Erwin, Michael S.: Lead Yourself First – Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude, Bloomsbury, 2017

Macy, Joanna and Johnstone, Chris: Active Hope - How to Face the Mess We're in with Unexpected Resilience and Power, New World Library, California, 2022

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 and we will be using Copenhagen as our classroom. More information and details will be provided in class. 

Approach to Teaching

You can expect an interactive, dynamic and co-creative learning environment inspired by 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 19^th century and their impact on Danish education and society can be traced to this day. Throughout the semester we will use an explorative approach to democratic learning that 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

Engaged Participation

We are embarking on a practice oriented learning journey and from day one we will work on co-creating a strong classroom community together. Active engagement is not only about raising your voice in class, but also about engaging in reflective practices in and outside of class, as well as actively listening to your peers. Screen use will be limited to a minimum. We will hand out notebooks for you to use throughout the course.

Reflection papers

You will write three reflection papers throughout the semester. They will constitute crucial steps in your learning journey towards becoming a more self aware and socially conscious leader. 

Group projects

The group projects are essential parts of our collaborative leadership journey. The purposes of the group projects are to allow for deeper engagement in problems or dilemmas that you have become interested in throughout the semester. These will be graded as pass/fail.

Assignment	Percent
Engaged Participation	30%
Reflection Papers	40%
Group Projects	30%