Course Syllabus
Danish Language and Culture |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Prerequisite: |
Must speak a Scandinavian langauge |
| Faculty Member: |
Tina Bacher |
| Time & Place: | Mondays and Thursday 10.05-11.25, Room: V23-303 |
Course Description
This course is an integrated language and culture course that serves as the ideal entry point for your studies abroad in Denmark. Offering a continuation of your level in Danish 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, the emphasis is on both spoken and written Danish, reading comprehension, and basic grammar which allows you to interact 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 its 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 more Danish
Gain an understanding of the connections between language and culture
Enhance intercultural awareness and critical reflection
Develop a sense of belonging
Faculty
Tina Bacher holds an MA (cand.mag) in French and Culture Journalism from Copenhagen University and has also taken some modules in Danish as a second language. Tina has worked as a Danish instructor since 2009, mainly with Studieskolen, a prominent language school in Copenhagen, as well as at other language schools and in her own company in parallel. Tina has worked with DIS as an external lecturer of 'Danish Language and Culture' since spring 2018. Speaks English and French, knowledge of elementary German, Swedish and Norwegian. She has been a translator for the State Department and interpreter for the Danish Police. Tina has a background as a business consultant in local businesses and tourism.
REQUIRED READINGS
Kierkegaard, Søren, (excerpt of) Enten-eller, Gyldendal, 2013
Fibiger, Mathilde, (excerpt of) Clara Raphael 12 breve, Lindhardt og Ringhof, 1976
Sareen, Manu, artikel: Moderne ligestilling er også for mænd, Information, 2011
Lundquist, Lita, artikel: Humor – helt seriøst, Weekendavisen, 2012
Bennike, Christian, artikel: Hygge har ikke gjort os til verdens lykkeligste folk. Tværtimod, Information, 2016
Wiking, Meik, The Little Book of Lykke, The Happiness Research Institute, Penguin Random House, 2017
NB! Please note that you will need to pick up the Danish learning material for the first class of this course at the DIS library. The material is called 'Danske stemmer'.
Also, you will need to pick up The Little Book of Lykke at the DIS library. You will be reminded of this in the Canvas calendar later in the semester.
Field Studies
We will be visiting Assistens Kirkegård (a cemetary) to have a guided tour of some important individuals who har buried there. This field study connects with our cultural topic on a few famous Danish authors from the 1800s.
We will also be visiting Lykkemuseet (The Happiness Museum) as happiness is a cultural topic we will be covering.
Guest Lecturers
A guest lecturer on LGBTQ+ will be visiting us as part of our equality cultural topic. There will be a background reading.
Approach to Teaching
This Danish class is based on going through parts of a Danish learning material. Homework will be both exercises and texts from the book to prepare and/or other exercises and texts that you haven't prepared.
The cultural part of this class will be disussion based, sometimes with questions for homework but also questions that you haven't prepared for - as well as a free discussion (answers and discussions all in Danish as much as possible). There will be texts and/or videos as homework and often also a presentation to watch.
DIS Accommodations Statement
Your learning experience in this class is important to me. If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support acadsupp@dis.dk.
Expectations of the Students
Active participation in class and preparation ahead of time are crucial for practicing your skills and for being successful in this course. It is not sufficient to simply be present in class. Your participation will be graded according to your active participation during classes. Taking notes in order to remember fx new words or grammar is part of participation in this class.
Evaluation
In this class, you are expected to show interest for the language. We will be working with the Danish language in all the disciplines of speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Your efforts will be corrected as this is a language class but we're not aiming for perfection. However, doing one's best is expected. Your pronunciation will be corrected as well and with all corrections, you are expected to take them in as much as your ability allows.
For the cultural topics, you are expected to show interest as well. English is allowed and will be used in a small part of this area but in class, we will try our best to speak as much Danish as possible when treating cultural topics.
There will be two cultual assignments that will be graded. They will both consist of an essay and an oral presentation (with slides). As it is your cultural learning and knowledge that will be graded, both the essays and the presentations will be in English.
Grading
|
Assignment |
Percent |
|
Engaged Participation |
40% of your course grade |
|
Cultural Assignments (1 + 2) |
35% of your course grade |
|
Oral Final Exam |
25% of your course grade |
Additional information
All homework assignments are due on the day assigned by your instructor unless in case of an emergency.
Use of laptops or phones in class are allowed only for class work. It is advised to have a notebook for notes on fx vocabulary and grammar.
Ordbogen.com
DIS has a subscription to Ordbogen, a Danish-English/English-Danish online dictionary. Go to http://www.ordbogen.com/ (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) follow the instructions you will receive by email from Ordbogen.com.
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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