Final Syllabus Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age Fall 2017, European Humanities 3 credit course Major Discipline: Literature Monday & Thursday 13.15‐14.35, F24 203 Instructor: Morten Egholm Ph. D., Film Studies, University of Copenhagen, 2009. Cand. mag., Scandinavian Studies, Film and Media Theory, University of Copenhagen, 1997. Associate professor, Danish Language, Literature and Culture, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, 2002‐2006. Has written several articles in Danish, English and Dutch on Danish literature, Danish mentality, TV series and film history. Since January 2012 full time faculty at DIS. Tel. 60 81 40 71 [email protected] Office hours: Thursday, 1.15‐3.00 pm in Room 10 B‐15 DIS contacts: Sanne Rasmussen, Program Coordinator, European Humanities Department, [email protected] Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature Final Syllabus Course Content: Hans Christian Andersen (1805‐1875) is internationally known as the writer of fairy tales. Children all over the world know The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea and other tales. But Andersen also wrote very important works in many other literary genres. As we will discover, Andersen’s writings are not just for children. Further, Andersen very often in his works gives insightful commentary that reflects social, philosophical and technological changes throughout the 19th Century. This course will be a study of 30 fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen as well as extracts from his novels, travelogues, poems, diaries and of his autobiography, The Fairy Tale of My Life. Andersen’s significance as an international storyteller will be emphasized by analyzing his tales using various theoretical and methodical approaches and by seeing different perceptions of him through the eyes of his contemporaries and his readers of today. In order to get a feel for Hans Christian Andersen’s world, we will familiarize ourselves with the thinking of European Romanticism and important figures of the Danish Golden Age (1800‐1850). Andersen’s fairytales will provide the backbone for this course that will emphasize his genuine inventiveness and the complexity of his texts. Learning Objectives: The course will provide students with an in‐depth understanding and knowledge of the literary art of Hans Christian Andersen from his fairytales to other forms of prose. Students will learn to analyze, critically evaluate and appreciate the works to reach an understanding of Hans Christian Andersen as a literary giant—and not just the writer of children’s fairy tales. At the end of the course, students will be able to: Identify and distinguish the works of Hans Christian Andersen by themes, styles and influences Understand and discuss the historical context of Denmark’s Golden Age and gain an understanding of Danish society Understand the fairy tale/artistic tale genre as opposed to folktales Appreciate Hans Christian Andersen as a literary and artistic genius – and not just a writer of tales for children Disability and Resource Statement Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should immediately contact Office of Academic Support ([email protected]) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations. Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature Final Syllabus Evaluation: Engagement 25 % Midterm 25 % Short Paper 25 % Final Written Research Paper 25 % Engagement Attendance, active participation in class discussions, field studies, being prepared for class by doing the reading and preparing questions and observations. Written Assignments For the writing assignments, you will be assessed by how well you write. You don’t have to be an English major to write well. You just need to write clearly, and support your ideas and thesis with evidence from the texts – or from reference material being used. If you are unclear as to what I require – or what is rewarded – please ask. All written assignments should have a title, be double‐spaced, 12 font and approximately 300 words per page. Short Paper Due on October the 5th. An interpretation of a fairy tale by Andersen (choose between the two possibilities mentioned below). Your interpretation must include a discussion of how to approach the text by analyzing it by a close reading. 3‐4 pages in length. Analyze: Inchelina (Haugaard page 29) or a HCA tale of your choice (but not one we have read in class). Midterm Identification/Short Answer Test in class on October the 26th. This in‐class test will cover factual information about HCA, the Danish Golden Age, as well as some short essay type questions of all the tales we have read so far in class. Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature Final Syllabus Final Written Assignment Research paper due on December the 4th. Hand it in to me last day in class or e‐mail it directly to me on [email protected] DO NOT hand the paper in via Canvas or other online possibilities! For the last paper, you choose to do one of the following: An academic paper (7‐8 pages) on a theme of your choice (for example, the portrait of women, Christian elements, role of the child in HCA’s tales; development of HCA’s style; HCA as a visual artist, etc.). Could include all kind of works by HCA – should at least include two outside sources. A re‐writing of the short paper expanding on the original topic, taking into account comments given on the original paper. Must be 9 pages in length and include at least one more tale of HCA’s tales and at least two outside sources. If you choose this option, you may extend your original paper by revising your thesis, and broadening your comparisons. Please follow this suggested structure for your paper: 1. Introduction: presentation of the topic to be investigated; a brief overview of what you will do and a brief comment about the methodology (comparison, application of a specific theory) 2. Short description/summary of text(s) 3. Analysis: comments, discussions, comparisons 4. Summary and conclusion 5. Notes and bibliography Young Andersen (Rumle Hammerich, 2005, Denmark) Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature Final Syllabus Field Studies: Wednesday, October, 4, 9.15‐12.15: Walking in Hans Christian Andersen’s footsteps A walking tour of Hans Christian Andersen’s Copenhagen with highlights from the Danish Golden Age. Meet in the DIS Front Desk (Vestergade 7 at 9.15 am). We will be walking in Hans Christian Andersen’s footsteps around the old Copenhagen city center where he met, on his daily walks, the philosopher Kierkegaard and other cultural luminaries of this time. Many of the buildings, squares and sites of Copenhagen are the same as during the lifetime of Hans Christian Andersen. On this tour we will get a feel of how and where Hans Christian Andersen lived in Copenhagen, walk his daily promenades and relive, through our imagination, what life was like in the Danish capital in the mid‐19th century. Wednesday, November, 15, 1‐4 pm: Hans Christian Andersen’s life and fairy tales in film We will see clips from some of the most famous adaptations of HCA’s fairy tales, and clips from the Hollywood bio‐pic on the author from 1952 (Danny Kaye playing HCA). In total length we will watch the Danish film about HCA’s years at the Latin School in Slagelse, Young Andersen (2005, 115 minutes, directed by Rumle Hammerich). The Ugly Duckling Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature Final Syllabus Course Schedule: 1) Aug. 24th Hans Christian Andersen and The Ugly Duckling Introduction to the course and to the early life of Hans Christian Andersen (HCA); Analysis of The Ugly Duckling taking a biographical approach. Readings: HCA: The Ugly Duckling, Haugaard p.216 HCA: The Fairy Tale of My Life – An Autobiography, Intro. & p.1‐44 2) Aug. 28th The Young Hans Christian Andersen + Famous tales about soldiers Focus on the cultural life in the Copenhagen HCA arrives at in 1819. Analysis of two of his most famous tales – both of them with a soldier as the protagonist. Readings: HCA: The Tinderbox, Haugaard p.1 HCA: The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Haugaard p.112 Jens Andersen: Hans Christian Andersen, Chapter 1, p.17‐61 3) Aug. 31st Once upon a Time…. HCA and the folk tale; different sources of inspiration Readings: Grimm Brothers: The Six Swans, in course binder HCA: The Wild Swans, Haugaard, p.117 W.H. Auden: Grimm and Andersen, in course binder 4) Sep. 4th The fairy tale and Structuralism The structure of the fairy tale; structuralism as outlined by Vladimir Propp; HCA’s use of the fairy tale and the creation of his own art tales Readings: HCA: The Travelling Companion, Haugaard p.40 HCA: Clod Hans, Haugaard p.479 Vladimir Propp: 31 plot elements, in course binder 5) Sep. 7th. Romantic thinking and Hans Christian Andersen The Danish Golden Age; Pantheism and other key terms in Romantic thinking Readings: HCA: The Bell, Haugaard p.275 Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature Final Syllabus Sep. 12‐17th: CORE COURSE WEEK 6) Sep. 18th The satirical Hans Christian Andersen Beneath the fairy tale surface you very often find satirical and (typical Danish) sarcastic comments on Danish mentality and society in HCA’s stories. We are going to look at what phenomena he’s making fun of and how.