African American Expats in Denmark

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Course Syllabus

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Syllabus for African American Expats in Denmark

African American Expats in Denmark

Semester & Location: Summer 2021, Session 2 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Study Tour:

Denmark

Major Disciplines: History, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Anthropology

Prerequisite(s):

None



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Faculty Member:

Syllabus for African American Expats in Denmark

Ethelene Whitmire, ewhitmire@wisc.edu (mailto:ewhitmire@wisc.edu) , +45 50 30 25 13

Program Director: Andreas Br?gger, abr@dis.dk (mailto:abr@dis.dk)

Program Coordinator: Sanne Rasmussen, sra@dis.dk (mailto:sra@dis.dk)

Time & Place:

Monday through Friday, 10AM - 1PM F24-402

Description of Course

This course examines the experiences of African American expatriates in Denmark. While many are familiar with the stories of James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright in Paris, few know about the experiences of African Americans in Copenhagen. Drawing on a rich archive that includes documentaries, novels, government records, memoirs, biographies, music, letters, interviews, paintings, and newspaper accounts, we follow in the footsteps of African Americans including Booker T. Washington and Billie Holiday among many others. The course examines unknown or forgotten, yet fascinating, educators, painters, social workers, writers, one baseball player (but a very important one), singers, diplomats, dancers, servicemen, and Black Panthers who lived, studied, performed in, and visited Denmark in the 20th Century.

Select Reading List:

Black against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party "Scandinavia" section

The Black Panther Party: An International History excerpt

Powell, Richard J. "William H. Johnson's Minde Kerteminde," Black American Literature Forum, Vol. 20, No. 4, Women Writers Issue (Winter, 1986), pp. 393-403.

Weisbord, Robert G. "Scandinavia: A Racial Utopia?" Journal of Black Studies Vol. 2, No. 4 (June 1972), pp. 471-488.

Course Objectives

Learn about Danish history and culture in the 20th and 21st centuries as it relates to African American history. Experience 21st century Danish culture through Nordic cuisine and the hygge lifestyle that has become an international obsession. Deepen your understanding about why Denmark regularly tops the World Happiness Index as one of the happiest countries in the world.



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Syllabus for African American Expats in Denmark

Learning Outcomes - Ethnic Studies Learning Outcomes

1. Be Aware of History's Impact on the Present Ethnic Studies courses highlight how certain histories have been valued and devalued, and how these differences have promulgated disparities in contemporary American society.

2. Be Able to Recognize and Question Assumptions Ethnic Studies courses promote recognition and application of critical thinking skills, specifically with respect to teaching students to harbor a healthy skepticism towards knowledge primarily as these relate to race and ethnicity. As part of this process, the course should challenge students to question their own assumptions and preconceived notions on these topics.

3. Be Conscious of "Self" and "Other" Awareness of self is inextricably linked with awareness of and empathy towards the perspectives of others. In constructing a space for this kind of discussion in their classrooms, Ethnic Studies courses give students an opportunity to think about identity issues, including their own identity, as well as the connections they might have to people "outside" their focused social circle.

4. Be Able to Participate Effectively in a Multicultural Society Ethnic Studies courses should be relevant to students' "lives outside the classroom", and pursuing the objectives above should not only lead to student behavioral change, but to action in the real world. The course should ultimately engender in students the ability to participate in a multicultural society more effectively, respectfully, and meaningfully. This participation may be as mundane as simply being able to discuss issues related to race with a colleague or friend, or to recognize inequities in interpersonal, institutional, or other contexts.

Faculty

Ethelene Whitmire (Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2001), Professor and Chair in the Department of Afro-American Studies, University of Wisconsin ? Madison, 2001-present. With DIS since 2018.

Study Tour

On this five-day study tour of Denmark we will visit places where African Americans studied, performed, and lived in the 20th Century including Elsinore where people studied at the International People's College, Kerteminde where William H. Johnson painted the locals and the local scenery, Horsens Prison where Marian Anderson sang to enthralled prisoners, Eugene Haynes befriended Danish author Karen Blixen and visited her home which is now a museum, he also performed at Hindsgavl Castle where we will celebrate the Danish midsummer, among many other spaces and places.

Field Studies in Copenhagen

The field studies will consist of exploring Copenhagen through tours to museums, sampling local Danish cuisine and listening to jazz.



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Assignments

Syllabus for African American Expats in Denmark

75% Essays[1]-- 3 Reflection essays about living in Copenhagen and traveling in Paris. Students will reflect on their observations informed by their identity described by Beverly Tatum as the Complexity of Identity--race, class, gender, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability (mental and physical).

25% Class participation ? This grade is combination of attendance and participation. A passing grade requires that a student contribute nearly every day and that their comments demonstrate a comprehension of the course materials. The highest marks will go to students whose comments demonstrate insight and engagement with the course materials and whose comments stimulate discussion from the class as a whole. You are required to attend every class and every fieldtrip unless there is a documented emergency.

#1 Pre-Departure Essay 15%

1. Describe the goals (academic, professional, personal), which you hope to accomplish through the study abroad experience. How will this particular program and location help you meet these goals?

2. What do you expect to be the most challenging aspects of studying in the country you have selected and how do you plan to address them?

#2 First Impressions 30%

Considering the readings and multimedia

1. Describe at least one thing that has surprised you about Danish life or culture since arriving in Copenhagen.

2. Think about why it surprised you. Did it challenge or disprove some of your own cultural expectations or assumptions?

3. Has anything you've seen or experienced in Denmark so far made you think differently about your life--or life in general--in the U.S.?

#3 Final Impressions and Reflections 30%

1. Reread your first two essays (your original essay and first impressions essay). How would you edit or expand them now? In addition to revising your initial thoughts, ask yourself, if someone were to take these essays as a full account of your time in Copenhagen and Paris, what would they be missing? What would you add to your entries to help someone understand Denmark and France and your experiences here? Include information about our readings and fieldtrips and experiences outside of the classroom while on your own.



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Syllabus for African American Expats in Denmark

[1] Revised from Humanities 350: Life & Culture in Denmark ? Dr. Carrie Lane, California State--

Fullerton

Academic Regulations

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations () on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

Course Enrollment and Grading (

conduct/academic-regulations/course-enrollment-and-grading/)

Academic Expectations and Honor Code (

resources/student-conduct/academic-regulations/academic-expectations-and-honor-code/)

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - ()

Course Summary:

Date

Details

Mon Jun 14, 2021

Arrival Day

Tue Jun 15, 2021

Essay #1 Pre-Departure Essay

Introduction - First Day of Class

Wed Jun 16, 2021

Denmark in the 1910s and

1920s

Lunch at Aamanns

Thu Jun 17, 2021

Denmark in the 1930s

Fri Jun 18, 2021

Denmark post WWII in the late

1940s and 1950s

Sun Jun 20, 2021 Mon Jun 21, 2021

Essay #2 First Impressions

Study Tour

Due 12am due by 9am 12:30pm

to

3pm 11:30am

to

1:15pm 1:30pm

to

3pm 10am

to

1pm 10am

to

1pm due by 11:59pm 12am



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Date Tue Jun 22, 2021 Wed Jun 23, 2021 Thu Jun 24, 2021 Fri Jun 25, 2021 Mon Jun 28, 2021

Tue Jun 29, 2021

Wed Jun 30, 2021

Thu Jul 1, 2021

Fri Jul 2, 2021

Syllabus for African American Expats in Denmark

Details

Study Tour

Study Tour

Study Tour

Study Tour

African American Expats in

Denmark

African American Expats in

Denmark

Tour of Christiansborg Slot

African American Expats in

Denmark

Tour of Museum of Copenhagen

African American Expats in

Denmark

Essay #3 Final Impressions and

Reflections

Last Day of Class

Class Participation

Due 12am 12am 12am 12am 10am

to

1pm

11am

to

1pm 2pm

to

3:30pm

11am

to

1pm 1pm

to

2pm 10am

to

1pm

due by 9am 10am

to

1pm



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