About this course
The Danish Language & Culture course at DIS is your ideal entry point for living and studying abroad in Copenhagen. This focused section introduces you to Denmark through photographic activities in class as well as contemporary and historical work by Danish photographers.
The course explores how the images and perspectives of key Danish photographers continue to shape representations of Denmark. How do cultural and social phenomena such as the welfare state, youth culture, trust, hygge, sustainability, multiethnic Denmark, and the modern metropolis of Copenhagen look through their photographic lenses? We will study Danish portraiture, street photography, urban and landscape photography as well as contemporary art photography, and we will use our own cameras as a tool for exploring and interpreting the Danish reality we encounter.
Language learning in this course will focus on spoken, everyday Danish, reading and listening comprehension, as well as basic grammar, allowing you to interact in simple and practical ways in your local surroundings. This functional approach is also reflected in classroom interactions, hands-on exercises, and experiential learning through Field Studies in Copenhagen and the surrounding area.
Syllabus
The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be listed here as soon as it is available.
This is a draft syllabus. The final syllabus will be available here a few days prior to the new course’s first start date.
Recommendation for participation
It is recommended to bring a digital camera that allows for manual control of shutter speed, aperture, and light sensitivity. Phone cameras are acceptable.
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
Frank Sebastian Hansen
FacultyM.A. in Danish and Philosophy, University of Copenhagen, 2001, Photographer, Fatamorgana – The Danish School of Art Photography, 1999. Assistant Professor of Instruction for Danish and Scandinavian Cultures at the University of Texas at Austin (2021–2025). Danish as a Second Language educator (2001–2018). Instructor in Philosophy at Danish folk high schools since 2008. Literary critic at Ekstra Bladet and TV2 Go’ Morgen Danmark (2008–2020). Travel writer and travel photographer. With DIS since: 23-06-2025