DAN 103, Spring Quarter 2024
Meeting Times: M-F 9:30 - 10:20 a.m.
HRC 155
Course instructor:
Morten Bøje Stensgaard Larsen, Visiting Lecturer of Danish
Office: Raitt Hall 305X
Office hours: By appointment
Email: mbsl@uw.edu
About Danish at UW: Vil du gerne lære at tale dansk? (Want to learn to speak Danish?). Danish is a modern Scandinavian language closely related to Norwegian and Swedish. Learning to read Danish is easy – there are many cognates with English. Denmark is the gateway to Scandinavia and the North Atlantic, and Danish is an official second language spoken in Greenland, the Faeroe Islands, and Iceland. Denmark is the homeland of famous writers - including Hans Christian Andersen, Søren Kierkegaard, and Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) as well as of LEGO, 'Danish Modern' design and world-class cinema!
We offer three levels of instruction in Danish at UW (beginning, intermediate and advanced). Each autumn quarter a new sequence of Danish starts with DAN 101. If you already speak some Danish, you may enroll in a higher level and earn Credit by ExaminationLinks to an external site.. As a student of Danish at UW, you are encouraged to study in Denmark via UW Study AbroadLinks to an external site. and are eligible for a UW ScanDesign Fellowship and other many other scholarships.
DAN 103 Course description: Velkommen til dansk (Welcome to Danish)! DANISH 103 is the third in a sequence of the three beginning Danish language courses, which offer instruction in the Danish language and also provide an introduction to Danish culture. The course is taught using the communicative language teaching mode with in-class activities and homework focusing on speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. Class will be conducted primarily, but not exclusively in Danish. Authentic Danish materials are used in class. The course will introduce some examples of Danish literature, cinema and pop culture as part of the language learning process. The learning goal is to achieve regular and lively interaction in the classroom in order to make the learning of the Danish language and culture enjoyable. The course strives for a learning atmosphere that challenges the students' skills in a supportive way. Emphasis is given to all language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. To succeed in this course, students are expected to participate regularly.
Student Learning Goals for DAN 101-102-103:
- Listening comprehension: understand simple phrases and conversations about everyday situations/subjects in slow and clear speech.
- Reading comprehension: understand information from different everyday texts; identify facts from simple everyday authentic texts.
- Speech: talk about themselves, family, living accommodations, and university studies using simple phrases and opinions; describe everyday situations and subjects with simple language.
- Communication: participate in simple and everyday conversations with slow and clear speech; ask and answer simple questions within everyday subject areas.
- Writing: use language in everyday situations such as short, personal letters and texts.
- Other: research and share knowledge of Danish society and culture.
Required Textbook: "Aktivt Dansk" and "Gramma and Word List"
They should be available at UW Bookstore.
This hyperlink shows a copy of the text book: https://praxis.dk/aktivt-dansk-grundbog-3udgLinks to an external site.
Online Dictionaries:
- Danish/English dictionary: ordbogen.com
Gives you 5 look-ups a day. Unlimited look-ups can be purchased through a $6 monthly subscription. - Danish dictionary is available at: ordnet.dk/ddo (Den Danske Ordbog; click on “English” in the upper-right corner for English settings). Also have audio pronunciation of the respective words.
Textbook supplements: Aktivt Dansk has a wide rage of audio files, which can be accessed here: https://online.praxis.dk/Product?productId=43644Links to an external site.
Lesson plan: See Modules - OBS! Subject to change.
For leisure activities:
- The Danish Wordle (Wørdle) can be fun: https://xn--wrdle-vua.dk/Links to an external site.
- Podcast in English about Danish Culture: What The DenmarkLinks to an external site.
- News about Denmark in English: https://www.thelocal.dk/Links to an external site.
Evaluation criteria: Participation, Assignments, Assessments
20% Weekly Journals. The weekly journal is your personal learning tracker. Here, you have the opportunity to reflect upon the lessons and synthesize new vocabulary and phrases.
30% In-class Participation. For the majority of classes, we start by a communicative exercise. These exercises aim to build vocabulary, grammar structure and practice oral skills. Regularly participation in this installment is key to succeed in this class. Participation also covers:
- Completing the assigned homework
- Showing up prepared
- Asking questions during class
30% quizzes. During the quarter 2-3 quizzes will be assigned to you to asses how you have synthesized the class material.
20% final project. At the end of the quarter you will get a change to demonstrate your language skills by creating
Grading Scale:
97-100%=4.0; 93-96%=3.9 ; 91-93%=3.8 ; 90%=3.7 ; 89%=3.6 ; 88%=3.5 ; 87%=3.4 ; 86%=3.3 ; 85%=3.2 ; 84%=3.1 ; 83%=3.0 ; 82%=2.9 ; 81%=2.9 ; 81%=2.8 ; 80%=2.7 ; 79%=2.6 ; 78%=2.5 ; 77%=2.4; 76%=2.3; 75%=2.2; 74%=2.1; 73%=2.0; 72%=1.9; 71%=1.8; 70%=1.7... (0-60%=0.0)
Diversity and equity
The Department of Scandinavian Studies builds cultural awareness and understanding through research, teaching, service and community outreach. The students in this class engage curricula and field experiences structured to foster knowledge of others and their cultures. Awareness of and respect for difference is essential to preparing students for citizenship. The Department of Scandinavian Studies views each student as an individual and supports the equal treatment of all those who enroll in this class in particular. This class is an inclusive space where all religions, ethnicities, genders, sexualities are welcomed, valued and appreciated. If you have personal requests or requirements in this regard, please come talk to me about it.
Land acknowlegdement
The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations” including the Duwamish, on whose traditional lands the University of Washington-Seattle stands in violation of the Treaty of Point ElliottLinks to an external site..
Religious Accommodation Policy: Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/)Links to an external site.. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/)Links to an external site..
This course adheres to the University of Washington Religious Accommodations Policy.Links to an external site.