European Culture & History
The European Culture & History program is designed for students majoring in the humanities. The program offers a wide variety of courses allowing you to gain in-depth knowledge and analytical skills in the fields of the European cultural tradition – from ancient art and religious studies to modern film and European history.
The core course and study tours, by applying the themes of memory and identity to specific European destinations, offer you a comprehensive view of the social, political and artistic culture as well as the historical background of an important European country; an understanding of factors that contribute to the creation of specific national cultures and identities in general; and the ability to make comparative observations between the country under investigation, Denmark, and your home country.
Core Course
This 3-credit course forms an interdisciplinary study of a major European country from the perspective of its 'memory and identity', i.e. its history, national myths, ways of dealing with a troublesome past, plus, for the present, power relations, production and wealth, and ethnic relations. You can choose among three different sections of the course: France, Germany or the Czech Republic. Please click the links below for further information on the specific tours.
Study Tours
- A short regional study tour in Denmark
- A longer European study tour related to your region of interest:
Czech Republic: Prague-Ceský Krumlow | France: Paris-Reims-Verdun | Germany: Berlin-Dresden
The study tours, which are covered by the DIS tuition, form an integral part of the core course. Through visits to the capital city and a provincial town, they introduce you to the cultural past and contemporary affairs of the country studied in class.
Elective Courses
In addition to the required core course, you are free to select any combination of courses from the DIS curriculum. Please click here for a full course overview. If you want to learn more about the fruits of European cultural history, from ancient art to modern film, check out courses listed under History, Art History, Literature, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Film Studies, etc.
Kierkegaard in Copenhagen
Denmark’s most radical author, Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), lived in, worked in, and was shaped by Copenhagen. In collaboration with the Søren Kierkegaard Research Center at the University of Copenhagen, we offer a variety of courses that focus on his authorship, as well as other thinkers from continental Europe who have critically appropriated elements of this thought. This includes courses on Kierkegaard's pseudonymous writings, existentialism, an honors level seminar on specific Kierkegaardian texts, and a course on religion and philosophy in 18th and 19th century Denmark. These courses are taught by scholars at the Research Center and take place in the heart of historic Copenhagen. While most of these courses are designed for those with varying levels of experience in philosophy, theology, or comparative literature, the honors course allows majors in these fields the opportunity for more detailed and nuanced discussion.
Music in Copenhagen
In addition to offering courses in history, literature, art history, and other humanities disciplines, DIS offers a chance for serious music students to continue their work with a principle instrument or voice. This 6-credit music performance course offers participation in an instrumental ensemble at the Royal Danish Academy of Music as well as individual training in principal instrument or voice in the student’s primary area of study. The Academy ensembles, through regular practice and rehearsal, prepare for performance both locally and regionally in concert and workshop settings. All students participate on an ongoing basis in different related activities such as orchestral playing, concerts, musical drama, ensemble singing and master classes, depending on the student’s area of study.
