About this course
This course provides foundational knowledge of the Danish language while also offering a unique exploration of Danish life and language through the perspectives of marginalized communities. Why do we encounter homelessness in a renowned and comprehensive welfare state like Denmark? How are drug users perceived in Copenhagen? What political measures and social services are in place to address young people at risk of gang involvement or facing critical personal struggles? What can we learn about Danish traditions, values, beliefs, and societal tensions through the perspectives of these groups?
Our language learning will focus on conversational Danish, reading comprehension, and foundational grammar, enabling you to engage in basic interactions with your local environment. This practical approach is reflected in classroom activities, hands-on exercises, and experiential learning through field studies in and around Copenhagen. We will also explore how cultural attitudes and perspectives on social policy are reflected in the language, focusing on the terms used in Danish to describe those at the margins.
Syllabus
Course note
As an alternative to this specialized section of Danish Language and Culture, DIS also offers a general Danish Language & Culture Level I course. The general course provides multiple perspectives on Danish society, history, and culture. Topics range from the Viking Age to the recent New Nordic Wave, Denmark under German occupation during World War II, Greenland and Denmark’s colonial past, the modern Danish welfare state, and concepts such as hygge, happiness, equality, and trust. Read more about Danish Language & Culture Level I course here.
Faculty
Tina Nielsen
FacultyTina Nielsen has a master’s degree in German and a BA in English from Aarhus University, School of Business and Social Sciences. In addition to that she has a master’s degree in Teaching Adults Danish as a Second Language, and several courses in cultural studies from the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen. With DIS since 2012.