Course Syllabus

Active Citizenship in Denmark

Course Description

Denmark is renowned for a strong civic society characterized by equality and social trust, but this is never a given. Democracy depends on citizens to actively engage in society. In this course, we discuss civic responsibility, social cohesion, and the importance of active citizenship, and we learn alongside Danish students by visiting a Danish højskole (‘People’s High Schools’) – a unique living and learning community characterized by a high level of engagement and enthusiasm.

Learning Objectives of the Course

The students taking this course will gain insight into:

• the idea of democracy as a way of life
• how an emphasis on dialogue and conversation in education can increase social cohesion
• how civic engagement is developed through individual growth

Faculty

Ditte Marie Egebjerg-Rantzau

Cand. mag. in Nordic Literature and French, University of Copenhagen. With DIS since 2006. Instructor in Danish Language and Culture and Postcolonial Europe. 

Contact: deg@dis.dk.

Approach to Teaching

• Discussion based
• Interactive
• Case studies relating to current issues and events
• Hands on approach: Multiple visits to højskoler, grassroots organizations, and local associations

Expectations of the Students

Active participation in class is essential for the success of the course. In each meeting, your contribution includes raising questions in relation to the day’s topic and responding to your peers’ contributions. Preparation for class includes close reading of the texts, entries to your blog (to be discussed), and reflection on visits and previous class meetings. In class discussions, you will be asked to refer to specific course materials and course experiences to support your interjections.

Field Studies

This is a course with a strong hands-on approach, with many activities outside the classroom. We will be doing visits to local institutions and organizations, city walks, outside lectures, trips to højskoler, and more. Be prepared to learn and be active outside the classroom as much as in it.

Grading

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.

Course Evaluation

Readings and suggested references

Some readings will be assigned for class discussions, other readings will serve as references for your written assignments. Detailed instructions and page indications will follow in calendar.

• Andersen, Randi; Korsgaard, Ove; Walters, Shirley: Learning for Democratic Citizenship. Aarhus Universitetsforlag, 2001.
• Broadbridge, Edward, Jonas, Uffe and Warren, Clay: The School for Life: N.F.S. Grundtvig on Education for the People. Aarhus University Press, 2011.
• 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.
• Jaffe-Walter, Reva: Coercive Concern. Nationalism, Liberalism, And the Schooling of Muslim Youth. Stanford University Press, 2016.
• Korsgaard, Ove: The Struggle for the People. Danish School of Education Press, 2008.
• Hervik, Peter (ed.), Racialization, Racism and Anti-Racism in the Nordic Countries. Palgrave Macmillan, 2019.
• Marcela, Milana and Sørensen, Tore Bernt: Promoting Democratic Citizenship Through Non-Formal Adult Education: The Case of Denmark. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Reseach. Vol 53, No. 4, August 2009, 347-362.
• Kærgård, Niels: Social cohesion and the transformation from ethnic to multicultural society: The Case of Denmark. In: Ethnicities, Vol 10, No. 4, 2010. Sage Publications. 

Academic Regulations

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

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