Course Syllabus

African American Expats in Copenhagen and Paris

Course Description

This course examines the experiences of African American expatriates in Copenhagen and Paris and their relationship to counter-storytelling. While many are familiar with the stories of James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright in Paris, few know about the experiences of African Americans in Copenhagen. Drawing on a rich archive that includes documentaries, novels, government records, memoirs, biographies, music, letters, interviews, paintings, and newspaper accounts, we follow in the footsteps of African Americans, including Booker T. Washington and Billie Holiday. The course examines unknown or forgotten, yet fascinating, educators, painters, social workers, writers, one baseball player (but a very important one), singers, diplomats, dancers, servicemen, and Black Panthers who lived, studied, performed in, and visited Denmark while comparing the experiences of African American expatriates in Paris. 

This archive will be studied through the lens of counter-narratives/storytelling. What are counter-narratives? How and why are these stories counter-narratives? What is the importance/role of counter-storytelling? 

We will also briefly dive into Denmark's colonial past which provides a more nuanced understanding of its historical connection to the African Diaspora. 

Learning Objectives

• Learn about counter-narratives/storytelling and its role in African American Expats' experiences in Copenhagen and Paris. 
• Learn about Danish history and culture in the 20th and 21st centuries as it relates to African American history; this will include a brief introduction to Denmark's colonial past to understand its relationship to the African Diaspora. 
• Experience 21st-century Danish culture through Nordic cuisine and the hygge lifestyle that has become an international obsession.
• Deepen your understanding of why Denmark regularly tops the World Happiness Index as one of the happiest countries in the world.
• Learn about French history and culture as it relates to Black citizens and African Americans

Selected Readings

Roy De Coverley, “Beauty, Beer and Beechwoods” Challenge, Volume 1, Issue 3, pp. 38-43, May 1935.

The Gay Black American Who Stared Down Nazis in the Name of Love https://narratively.com/the-gay-black-american-who-stared-down-nazis-in-the-name-of-love/

Langston Hughes, Parisian excerpts from The Big Sea

James Baldwin, “Equal in Paris” essay

• Malone, Leonard W. "The Negro in Europe. Part 1." Pittsburgh Courier (1955-1966), City Edition ed.: 2. Feb 10 1962.
• Malone, Leonard W. "The Negro in Europe. Part 2" Pittsburgh Courier (1955-1966), City Edition ed.: 1. Feb 17 1962.
• Malone, Leonard W. “The Negro Reports from Denmark.” The Crisis August-September
  1961, 451-454.

(full list of material wills be available upon session start)

Approach to Teaching

I like to combine lecture and discussion. We will have texts to read but I also show related videos in class.

Expectations of the Students

Your experience with the course will be enriched if you complete the readings before class and come to class prepared to discuss the content of the readings.

Evaluation

The assignments ask you to reflect on the readings, videos, tours, and your experiences in Copenhagen and Paris.

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

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org