Course Syllabus

A Sense of Belonging

Semester & Location:	Fall 2024 DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:	Elective Course - 3 credits
Faculty Members:	Nina Honoré Lahav
Time & Place:	Tuesdays & Fridays 10:05-11:25 V10 A23

Padlet access: https://padlet.com/ninalahav/danish-language-and-culture-5pg296sixj9rb2q6

Course Description

This course is an integrated language and culture course which serves as the ideal entry point for your studies abroad in Denmark. Offering an introduction to the Danish language while also exploring important themes in Danish culture and society, this course will help you navigate and understand your new environment. It will strengthen your sense of place and sense of belonging while studying abroad.

In terms of language learning, we emphasise 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.

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

 

Grading

Assignment	Percent
Engaged Participation	30%
Cultural Assignments	35%
Online Worksheets*	10%
Oral Exam	25%

* Online Worksheets are part of the final grading and can be accessed in the "DLC: Resources, Worksheets, audio and video files, and exam guidelines" Canvas course. We encourage to complete the worksheets throughout the semester as they correspond to the chapters in DIS Dansk I. The final deadline to complete the worksheets is the same as the oral exam deadline - see Canvas calendar for details.

 

Faculty

Nina Honoré Lahav holds a Master's degree in Teaching Danish as a Second Language from Aarhus University, which she earned in 2001. In 1993-95, she pursued Hebrew studies in Israel, and in 1996-97, she completed courses in linguistics and psychology at Harvard University. In addition, she holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Spanish Business Language from Copenhagen Business School, which she obtained in 1992. Since 2001, Nina has been a valuable member of the DIS team.

Readings

Alexander, The Danish Way of Parenting

Andersen, Clod Hans

Andersen, The Little Mermaid

Andersen, The ugly duckling 

Andersen, The little match girl

Jan Gehl, Spaces between Buildings

Bo Lidegaard, Prologue 1849-1901

Bo Lidegaard, Countrymen

Jørgen Carlsen, The Danish Folk High School

Claire Kramsh, The Relationship between Language and Culture

Feilberg, Messel and Stout, Fighting for the Flag

Erin Meyer, The Culture Map

Gert Tinggaard Svendsen, Trust

Jenkins, RichardWhere the Crows Turn

Jesper Trollet Linnet, Money can't by me Hygge

Knud Jespersen, Church and Culture

Knud Jespersen, A tribe or a nation?

Craig, Mullan, Parenthood, gender and family life

Kreiner, Svarer, Danish Flexicurity

Zerlang, Bagdad in Tivoli

 

Film

Thomas Vinterberg; DRUK (Another Round)

Thomas Vinterberg; Jagten (The Hunt)

 

TV Drama

Adam Price, Borgen

 

Field Studies 

We have three Field Studies in this class. The purpose of the Field Studies is to use Copenhagen and surroundings as our extended DIS classroom. (For details see study plan).

• Field Study 1: Copenhagen museum and Film I History & Drinking
• Field study 2: School visit I Education
• Field study 3: Tivoli I Bagdad in Copenhagen

 

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 is hard work and requires a lot of 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 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.

 

Guest Lecturers

Lærke Steensbæk, Community building

Sanne Vils Axelsen, Photography

 

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