Course Syllabus
Danish Language and Culture
|
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Anthropology, Language |
| Minor Disciplines |
Education |
| Faculty Member: |
Esben Lydiksen (use Canvas Inbox) |
| Time & Place: |
Monday & Thursday, 14:50 - 16.10 in Fi6-Metro 101 |
Description of Course
This course is an integrated language and culture course with a special focus on integrating educational technologies in language learning. Serving as the ideal entry point for your studies abroad in Denmark, the course offers an introduction to both the Danish language while also exploring important themes in Danish culture and society. The course will help you navigate and understand your new environment, strengthening your sense of place and sense of belonging while studying abroad.
The language part of the course will be taught with an emphasis on testing and reflecting on the use of educational technologies in and outside the classroom. We will experiment with gamified language platforms, generative AI tools, VR scenarios and other educational technologies to better understand the potential and the possible blind spots of innovative edutech.
The language learning will centred around spoken everyday Danish, reading comprehension, and basic grammar which allows you to interact in basic ways with your local surroundings. The functional approach is evident both in classroom interactions, hands-on exercises, and experiential learning through field studies around Copenhagen and environs.
An important component of the course is your own observations of Danish society as you are studying abroad. In this integrated language and culture course we explore how culture is reflected in language through expressions, concepts, and keywords. By openly and critically studying values, symbols, and dominant and marginalized narratives in Danish culture and history we will begin to understand how these continue to shape identities today. With Denmark as your case study, you will develop your ability to understand and study other cultures 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
- Reflect critically on the use of technology in a language classroom
Faculty - Esben Lydiksen
|
I have an M.A. in Linguistics from University of Copenhagen (2006). I've taught Danish as second language and developed online course materials at Studieskolen, a language school in Copenhagen. Before coming to DIS in 2016 I worked as a senior consultant in online and blended learning at University of Copenhagen. Along with teaching at DIS, I manage the Faculty Learning Lab at DIS. |
Readings and other resources
Please see course calendar for further details about what to prepare for each class. Links and files will also be available through the calendar.
Required language material
Textbook: Danish at DIS - A Sense of Belonging
Required readings
- 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: 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", 2004
- Kingsley, Patrick: “Being Danish: The Immigrant Dilemma”, being Danish, Short Books ltd 2012
- Lidegaard, Bo: “Prologue”, A short history of Denmark in the 20th century, Gyldendal 2009
- Nørremark, Dennis: "Cultural intelligence for stone-age brains", Gyldendal 2013
- Sandemose, Aksel: ”The Law of Jante”, A Fugitive crosses his Tracks, Alfred A. Knopf 1936
- Trolle Linnet, Jeppe: ”Money can’t buy me hygge”, Academia.edu, 2011
Audio
On Canvas, you can find podcasts that you can use to practice vocabulary, phrases, and pronunciation. In the textbook DIS DANSK, they are marked with a little headphone symbol. The podcasts can be found on Canvas in the open course Danish Language Resources, Modules.
Ordbogen.com
DIS has a subscription to Ordbogen, a Danish-English/English-Danish online dictionary. Go to www.ordbogen.com and follow the instructions you will receive by email from Ordbogen.com early in the semester.
Continue learning outside the classroom
You are expected to continue learning outside of the classroom. You can download the app Duolingo in order to gain a larger vocabulary. Keep informed about what is going on in Denmark - it is expected that you will read the Danish news in English (and in Danish), gain a basic knowledge of Danish political and societal structures, and explore Danish culture on your own through movies, TV-shows, literature, and various cultural events offered in Copenhagen (and elsewhere).
Approach to Teaching
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 is both fun and hard work and so requires a lot of commitment. The ambition is to create a classroom culture in which everyone feels at ease trying to grapple with the unfamiliar Danish sounds and words.
Engaged participation is an integrated part of class and will be a large part of the course evaluation. Participating 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.
This class will be highly supported by online tools and resources, and it is therefore an expectation that you are curious about using new(er) technologies to support your learning.
Use of AI Tools
In this course, students are permitted to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for their academic tasks. We acknowledge these tools as beneficial resources in the learning process. Please ensure academic integrity by citing all usage of these tools in your work, following the provided guidelines.
Grading
| Assignment |
Percent |
| Participation & Contributions |
30% |
|
Cultural Assignments |
35% |
|
Online Language Worksheets* |
10% |
|
Oral Language Exam |
25% |
* Online Worksheets are part of the final grading and can be accessed in the "Danish at DIS: Worksheets, media and guidelines" Canvas course. We encourage you to complete the worksheets throughout the semester as they correspond to the chapters in Danish at DIS - A Sense of Belonging. The final deadline to complete the worksheets will be provided though the Danish at DIS course.
Field Studies
We have two Field Studies in this class. The purpose of the Field Studies is to use Copenhagen as our extended classroom.
Expectations of the Students
Please note, that failure to show up for the quizzes and exams or submit assignments on time for any other reason than illness or family emergency will automatically result in a Z. You will not be admitted to the exam room if you arrive late.
Classroom etiquette
Use of laptop computers in class is allowed for the purpose of note-taking only. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off and stored away unless instructed otherwise.
Disability and Resource Statement
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.
Policies
Attendance
You are expected to attend all classes, guest lectures, workshops and field studies. If you must miss a class for religious holidays, medical reasons, or other valid reasons, you must let us know as far in advance as possible of the absence and obtain information about the work you must do to keep up in class. If you miss a class for any other reason (sudden illness, family emergency, etc.), you should get in touch with us as soon as possible and arrange to make up the work missed.
It is crucial for your learning that you stay on task and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class. Late papers or projects will be marked down with 1/3 of a grade for each day it is late.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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