Course Syllabus

"Danskeren er en tvivler fordi Danmarks historie er historien om en stærk stammes undergang." (Johannes V. Jensen, 1901)   “The Dane is a skeptic, because Denmark's history is the story of the downfall of a powerful tribe”

 

Course Instructor

Suzanne da Cunha Bang,

Cand.mag. et art. (Scandinavian Literature and Languages, English Literature and Language, History of Art, University of Copenhagen). DIS Professor of “Danish Language and Culture”, “Impressionism in Paris”, “Venice, Power Art and Urban Space” since 2004. Previously art gallery owner and art consultant to Danish companies.

Contact: sdc@dis.dk

Office hours will be scheduled with students individually.

 

Description of Course

This course is an integrated language and culture course. We will study different aspects of Danish culture and we will operate with a complex view on culture through various representations. The focus will be on dominant national narratives, values, and symbolism, which we will approach from both a historical and contemporary perspective.

When studying the Danish language, we will employ a functional approach. The course will focus on spoken everyday Danish, reading comprehension and basic grammar.  

The course will explore how culture is reflected in language. By analyzing keywords and concepts and applying appropriate etiquette, you learn how to navigate in a foreign culture.

An important component of the course will be your own observations and critical analysis.

 

Learning Objectives

• Acquire a higher level of cultural awareness
• Acquire knowledge and overall understanding of Danish history, culture, and society.
• Be able to speak, read and understand Danish on a basic level
• Get an understanding of the connection between language and culture

Important dates:

• Field Study 1: Wednesday, October 7, 8.30 -12.30
• Field Study 2: Wednesday, November 18, 13.00 - 17.00
• Special event: November 26, 17.00 - 18.15
• Written midterm: Friday, October 16
• Written exam: November 24
• Oral Exam: Friday, December 4
• Turn in Cultural assignment 1, October 11 
• Friday, November 27, Students' presentation in class - Cultural Assignment 2
• Upload PP with presentation to Canvas
• Rubrics to be found on Canvas in Calendar and Assignments

 

Field Studies

We will have three course integrated  Field Studies during the semester. Participation is mandatory. Each FS will offer you a hands on perspective  and experience on topics dealt with in class and will be included in tests and exams.

Day and time: Please see “Important dates" above.

 

Course Resources

Audio Files and Online Worksheets

In the Canvas course Danish Language Resources, you will find audio files and online worksheets that you can use to practice vocabulary, phrases, pronunciation, and grammar throughout the semester. In your textbook DIS DANSK I, the texts with complementary audio files are marked with a headphone symbol. 

Online Dictionary: Ordbogen.com

DIS has a subscription to Ordbogen, a Danish-English/English-Danish online dictionary. Go to http://www.ordbogen.com/ and follow the instructions that you have received directly from Ordbogen.com.

 

Required Readings 

Adriasen, Inge: “Summary Volume II”, Nationale Symboler i Det Danske Rige, Museum Tusculanums Press 2003

Andersen, Benny: “Verdensborger i Danmark”, Verdensborger I Danmark og andre digte, Borgen, 1998

Andersen, H.C.: “Klods Hans”, Samlede Eventyr og Historier, Gyldendal 2011

Andersen, H.C.: ”I Danmark er jeg født”, Samlede Digte, Gyldendal 2011

Carlsen, Jørgen: “The Folk High School – Freedom and the Living Conversation”, Learning in Denmark

Grundtvig, N.F.S.: “Langt Højere Bjerge”, Salmer og Aandelige Sange, Karl Schønbergs Forlag 1981

Jenkins, Richard: ”Everyday social democracy”, Being Danish: Paradoxes of Identity in Everyday Life, Museum Tusculanum Press 2012

Knud J.V.Jespersen: A History of Denmark

Kingsley, Patrick: “Being Danish: The Immigrant Dilemma”, being Danish, Short Books ltd 2012

Kramsch, Claire: ”The relationship of language and culture”, Language and culture, Oxford University Press, 1998

Kramsch, Claire: ”Language and cultural identity”, Language and culture, Oxford University Press, 1998

Lidegaard, Bo: “Prologue”, A short history of Denmark in the 20th century, Gyldendal 2009

Oehlensläger, Adam: ”Der er et Yndigt Land”, Sanlede Digte, Nabu Press 2010

Rose, Flemming: The Tyranni of Silence

Rasmussen, Halfdan: “Noget om helte”, Halfdans sange, Schønberg 2015

Sandemose, Aksel: ”Zoologi”, A Fugitive crosses his Tracks, Alfred A. Knopf 1936

Sandemose, Aksel: ”The Law of Jante”, A Fugitive crosses his Tracks, Alfred A. Knopf 1936

Steensgaard Pernille: Copenhagen

Svendsen, Tinggaard Gert & Lind Haase Svendsen, Gunnar: “Social Capital and the Welfare State”, The Nation-State in Transformation, Aarhus University Press 2010

 

Approach to Teaching and Expectations of the Students

The teaching style of this class is interactive. You are expected to actively participate in class discussions, to have done the readings and other homework, and come to class with notes, questions and relevant observations.

Learning a language requires  hard work and commitment. The ambition is to create a classroom culture in which everyone feels at ease trying to pronounce the unfamiliar Danish sounds and words.

Engaged participation in  class discussion requires a high level of preparation and a voluntary contribution of knowledge and ideas. In addition, when speaking Danish or discussing the connection between language and culture it is important to meet the level of preparation required to be an active participant.

 

Evaluation

When learning a new language, mistakes are inevitable so forget about perfectionism for a while and get in the game. Aim at having fun with learning new vowels and new sounds, keep trying and eventually, you will be able to start constructing phrases and to pick up some of the language spoken around you. Doing the assigned worksheets at home, going over dialogues, listening to podcasts and try to practice your Danish at every chance you get is crucial for the progression expected in this course and you are expected to meet prepared for each class.

When speaking Danish, you also need to know the cultural codes for when to say what. Be curious, have an open mind and pay attention to how people behave and what they say outside the classroom which will enhance your understanding of the cultural values and norms. The assigned culture texts offer wide aspects of topics concerning Danish history, values and contemporary society. When in class, I do not just go over what is on the assigned text; I take it elsewhere, offer additional information and ask you to discuss and analyze issues concerning life in Denmark. It is therefore of utmost importance that you require the basic knowledge of the topics through reading the assigned texts thoroughly, take notes, reflect on differences and similarities compared to you own culture and bring comments and thoughts to class in order for all of us to have good discussions and create an inspiring and vibrant classroom.

 

Assignment                            Percent

Participation                               5 %

Written midterm                    15%

Written exam                            20%

Oral exam                                   20%

Cultural Assignment  1        15%

Final assignment                      25%

Grading is based on the rubrics found in the Canvas course Danish Language Resources.

 

Participation grade is  based on the following: 

Quality contribution to and participation in class discussions 

Doing the Worksheets (Canvas) on time

Notice that pop-up quizzes will be given when needed and count in your participation grade

 

Formal guidelines for end of semester assignment to be found in Calendar. 

 

COVID-19 

We all have a collective responsibility to avoid the spread of COVID-19 at DIS. If you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 (Dry cough, high temperature, breathing difficulties, sore throat, headache, muscle pain), please stay at home and inform your faculty that you won’t be in class or at a field study – this will count as an excused absence. Keep up with the work and join activities via distance learning, if you are able to and if it is an option in your class (check with your faculty). If you are too sick to do work, reach out to the care team at care@dis.dk for medical support and coordinate with your faculty to make up missed class time. 

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic RegulationsLinks to an external site. on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

• Course Enrollment and GradingLinks to an external site.
• AttendanceLinks to an external site.
• Coursework, Exams, and Final Grade ReportsLinks to an external site.

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.orgLinks to an external site.