January 5th– 26th ,2020
Course Description
DANC 299 DANCE DENMARK is an intensive three-week long study abroad program that foregrounds dance as a lens through which students learn about the cultural fabric of Denmark, community engagement and meaningful social change.
The program consists of two key components: 1) Dance studies – studying contemporary and urban dance forms; and 2) Danish culture immersion. The cultural component includes looking at the influence dance and other performance forms have on the rise and shaping of social democracy in Denmark; first experiences of Danish culture through authentic social exchange; and visits to historical and cultural sites.
Full program component overview:
- Studio course work
- Classroom teaching
- Field/Sightseeing trips
- Creative performance project
This course is open to all UMBC students, and satisfies a GEP requirement in Arts and Humanities (AH) or Culture (C).
Course Goals and Objectives
The goals for this program are for the individual student to strengthen their proficiency in dance and gain cultural competence and awareness accomplished through studio and classroom learning experiences with people from a different culture. Furthermore, the program aims to facilitate opportunities for the individual student to engage withbasic concepts and creative research methods found in contemporary dance and explore how those ideas can be reexamined when immersed in a different culture. Through active participation in the various program components, the individual student will find themselves in various processes that look at how the influence of culture informs art to examine communication, identity and social behavior.
Course Content and Procedures
DANCE Studies
Gerlev Sports Academy offers a comprehensive dance training that bridges the gap between classical dance technique and the professional world of commercial dance.
Dance technique class (mandatory)
Student will develop the technical, creative and performance skills needed to become an individual and versatile dance artist. Styles taught could include, but not limited to: contemporary, hip hop, house, voguing, funk, etc. Instructors are all professional artists/educators with many years of teaching experience. All instruction will be in English. Placement assessment will happen during the first dance class; there will be a placement assessment for contemporary and for urban street styles. Thereafter, students will be placed in the appropriate dance technique classes together with the Danish dance majors at Gerlev.
Creative Research (mandatory)
Alongside dance techniques classes, creative workshops will help each student shape their artistic practice and develop their choreographic voice. This course component builds on basic concepts and creative research methods found in contemporary dance and explores how those ideas can be reexamined when immersed in a different culture. Each student will work on an individual creative performance project that draws inspiration from their experiences/interactions throughout this program. Each student will be mentored by UMBC faculty leader, Ann Sofie Clemmensen. Final project can be either a solo or duet. All complete works will be performed informally at Gerlev towards the end of the program.
CULTURAL Immersion
Danish Culture Sessions (mandatory)
These sessions are classroom based where students will explore how the influence of culture informs art to examine communication, identity and social behavior.
Field trips (mandatory)
Participants will visit the Viking Ship Museum and the youth rock and pop museum Ragnarock in Roskilde. They will also have a workshop with the children dance theater Aabendans. During our two-day stay in Copenhagen students will visit Rosenborg castle, The Royal Opera, see a performance, and tour some of the city’s major historical attractions.
Kitchen duty (mandatory)
At Gerlev, the community means a lot. Together, we deal with the daily chores, and among other things you will learn how to cook healthy food and how to play yourself through cleaning. Alongside the Danish students, participating UMBC students will be assigned kitchen duty throughout the three weeks, which include helping to set up for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as clean-up.
Gerlev Social Event(s) (mandatory)
A crucial element of experience Danish culture is full immersion in the peer community established at Gerlev Sports Academy. That includes participating in classes (Joint-class) and social events hosted by Gerlev. Students will experience a theme event, which involves – but not limited to – developing costumes, rehearsing a song or a sketch, set-up for gala dinner, etc. For these events, UMBC students will be blended into groups with Danish students.
Optional Activities
Students have the opportunity to join/try out additional subjects offered. Student can commit to one subject and join these classes on an optional basis.
Host Institution | Location
Gerlev Sports Academy is a Danish folkehøjskole* that offers non-formal adult education. Students must be 18 and older to attend; there are no requirements for admittance and no exams. Full-time students will receive a diploma as a proof of their attendance. This type of institution is approved and regulated by the cultural ministry of the Danish parliament. Since its founding in 1938, Gerlev has been highly focused on developing and creating excitement about movement and sports. Gerlev has pioneered outdoor life as a subject and a pedagogical activity in Denmark. Since the late 1990’s Gerlev has contributed to revising the image of sports through dancing / creative movement and parkour. Gerlev has over 40 years of experience with international students. At Gerlev one in four students has an international background, and the two main languages used in and out of classes are Danish and English.
Gerlev Sports Academy is partnering with Southern Danish University – CISC (Centre for Sports, Health and Civil Society) and NUMO (National Development Center Against Obesity). For more information visit the school’s website www.Gerlev.dk
Location
Gerlev Sports Academy is located an hour west of Copenhagen, on the outskirt of the city Slagelse. Transportation from and to Copenhagen airport is included in the program, as are all other excursion/sightseeing transportation.
Accommodation
Accommodation includes shared double dorm rooms. Each dorm floor has shared shower facilities and additional facilities are available in the recreation buildings. UMBC students will share room with another UMBC students. The total group will be dispersed among the different dorm floors – living door to door with Danish students. Duvet, pillow, linens, sheets and towels will be provided.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as afternoon and evening snacks are all included. The dining hall serve delicious organic food, including vegetarian and vegan options. There is also options available for students with specific allergies. For excursion/sightseeing days, students will be able to create their own lunch package.
Facilities
Gerlev has a variety of dance spaces and class rooms. Additional facilities include, but not limited to: laundry room, computer room, swimming pool, TV-room, etc.
Alcohol & Smoking
No smoking indoors. Only beer and wine bought from the student café may be enjoyed at school parties. No outside alcohol or liquor are allowed on campus. Consumption and possession of hash or other psychedelic drugs will lead to an immediate expulsion.
Health, welfare, safety and security
Regarding health, welfare, safety and security in Denmark, students will be in traveling in “low-risk” areas for the majority of the program. There are currently no DOS alert or warnings for Denmark, as well as no currently Travel Health Notice for Denmark. Visitors from all nations are entitled to free hospital treatment or use of casualty wards if an unexpected sickness or accident should occur during a temporary stay in Denmark. Doctor visits has an associated fee; claims can be filed through student’s insurance. If home transport is needed it is covered by the treated person. If the medical facility determines that the emergency occurred as a result of a pre-existing condition, the tourist must be prepared to pay for all services received.