Course Syllabus

Exploring Art, Design, & Everyday Life in Denmark 


//Course Description

In both popular thought and academic discourse, design from Scandinavia stands as an embodiment of best practices in Modernist form and user centered, participatory practice. The VCD curriculum explicitly revolves around these fundamental approaches, so it is fitting to experience, first-hand, the culture that gave rise to participation in design, which embodies user-centeredness in daily living.

Exploring Art, Design, and Everyday Life in Denmark is a 1.5-credit course wrapped around a week-long study abroad visit to Copenhagen, Denmark, one of the capitals of Modernist design in Europe. Students will attend lectures from leading design organizations, visit sites of cultural significance, and experience public and private spaces that typify user or people-centered design. This trip is unique in its access to leading design organizations (the INDEX: Foundation) and the opportunity for immersion in everyday experiences, such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, and commuting.

Before departure, we will host 3 orientation meetings to introduce course objectives, orient you to Copenhagen and Danish culture, and help you prepare for our journey. After our trip, we will meet again to reflect upon what we experienced, and present our learning outcomes to Herron upon return to Indianapolis.  

//Learning Objectives

Students will learn:

  • how societal and cultural values inform design decisions
  • how the experience of daily life is a direct outcome of design
  • how civic spaces affect human interactions and relationships
  • how to identify icons of modernist Danish design through direct experience
  • how to document objects, actions, and spaces as they relate to design
  • how to write and show (visually communicate) about the connection between design and culture, society, behavior, and overall quality of life

//Course Assignments (Deliverables)

  1. Pre-departure reference sheet (not graded)
  2. The Main Assignment 70%
  3. Public presentation of course outcomes (upon return to Indianapolis) 30%


//Course methods

Course content will be delivered through visits to design studios, museums, and sites of special interest to community-oriented designers and artists. See itinerary for details.

//Travel in Denmark

Accommodations

Generator Hostel, Adelgade 5 – 7, 1304 København, Denmark

The Generator is next to Kongens Have / Rosenborg (The King’s Garden). It is centrally located in Copenhagen.

On the ground transportation

To experience daily life in Copenhagen, students will be provided commuter bicycles and helmets for daily transit. In inclement weather, we will resort to Copenhagen’s extensive bus and Metro system. We will take the train to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebaek (45 minutes). 

A Note on Cycling in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is among the world’s safest cities for bicycles. In most parts of the city, a curb elevates bicycle traffic above the level of automobile traffic, and bicycles ride next to the sidewalk (between parked cars and pedestrian sidewalks), and not right next to moving traffic, as is the norm in the U.S. Accommodations can be made for those not using bicycles.  

Language

Most Danes are fluent in English and American slang is commonly used. Our students should have no problem communicating with anybody in the general public.

Orientation

Three pre-departure sessions will prepare students for our trip. The 2-hour long meetings will give students a basic introduction to Denmark and Danish design, and help them prepare for international travel (currency, cell phone connectivity, weather, local customs, etc.). The Study Abroad Office provides extensive logistical support to ensure the safety and security of all students and faculty.

 

ITINERARY

This is a rough itinerary and is subject to change. 

Access on Google Docs here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lwDbfpD78ixM_z3BDA6mDM5FsijYfa63BhX74stcHe0/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

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