About this course
This course is an integrated language and culture course with a major focus on learning Danish through the exploration of food, taste, and sustainability in Denmark. Local food and traditions are a rich source of information about cultural values, beliefs, and relations, often permeated by national narratives and symbols. By exploring practices around food in Denmark, we will make observations on Danish society while using our senses and curiosity.
An important component of the course is also to discuss various aspects of food sustainability:
How does sustainability manifest itself in the Danish food scene and even in the Danish language? How is Danish society addressing food waste? What are sustainable, innovative ways that Denmark deals with food consumption and production? When studying the Danish language, we employ a communicative and functional approach, emphasizing everyday spoken Danish, reading comprehension, and basic grammar. Learning Danish in this course will allow you to interact in basic ways with your local surroundings, strengthening your sense of belonging while studying abroad.
With Denmark and Danish food cultures as your case study, you will develop your general ability to understand and study other cultures from an intercultural perspective.
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.
Recommended experience
Many classes will be spent visiting sites via bicycle, so confidence in cycling is mandatory.
Faculty
Bianca Katarzyna Liberski
FacultyCand.merc.int. (Intercultural Management, Copenhagen Business School, 2005). B.A. (European Business and French, Manchester Metropolitan University, Université Blaise Pascal, 2000). Project Coordinator, Danish Refugee Council, 2010. Ethics Officer, Borealis, Bruxelles, 2006-2007. With DIS since 2009.
Victoria Petersen Amargos
FacultyM.A. (Cross-Cultural Studies, University of Copenhagen, 2021). B.A. (Linguistics, University of Copenhagen, 2018). Project Manager (Danish Board of Technology (Now: Democracy X), Hvidovre, 2020-2022). With DIS since 2024.