Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age l DIS

12 Pages·2017·0.65 MB·English

by  Keith Gumery

Final Syllabus

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age
Copenhagen Spring Semester 17, European Humanities 3-credit course
Monday & Thursday 13.15-14.35 in classroom N7-C24
Major Disciplines: Literature

Instructor: Janis Granger
Ph. D., Scandinavian Languages and Literatures, University of California – Berkeley, 1981;
M.A., Scandinavian Studies, University of California – Los Angeles, 1976; B.A., History,
University of California – Berkeley. Lecturer in Danish Language, Literature and Culture,
University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1981-1984. Written articles and reviews on Danish
literature and Scandinavian Crime Fiction. With DIS since 1984 as faculty, Academic
Counselor and Registrar; as of 2011 as full time faculty. Taught at DIS Stockholm for Fall
Semester 2016.

Office hours: by appointment, available before and after class

DIS contacts:
Matt Kelley, Program Assistant, European Humanities Department

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

Content
This course will be a study of approximately 30 fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen (1805-
75) as well as extracts from his travelogues, poems, diaries and his autobiography, The
Fairy Tale of My Life. Andersen’s significance as an international storyteller will be
emphasized by analyzing his tales using various 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 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

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 plays, novels,
poems, travelogues and songs.

The course will start with an introduction to the life and times of Hans Christian Andersen
and the reading of his early tales. We will begin looking at the tales from a biographical and
historical approach. We will also look at the influence of folk tales and other literary
influences on his writing.

As we will discover, Andersen’s tales are not just for children. Andersen gives insightful
commentary in his later tales, which reflect social and technological changes. The course
will give us an understanding of the Romantic Age and the Danish Golden Age as well as of
the social and economic changes that dramatically affected life in mid-19th Century Europe.
And we will discover how Hans Christian Andersen’s literary art is still pertinent in the 21st
century.

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

Evaluation

 Engagement 20 %
 Midterm 25 %
 Short Analysis 20 %
 Final Paper or Final Exam 35%

Engagement is your responsibility, so it is up to you what grade you receive in this area.
Consider how often you discuss, comment or ask questions in class; how many absences
you have during the semester, how often you complete all the readings for class; how often
you check your phone or Facebook or other non-class related media during a single class
meeting.

Students must complete all course work in order to receive a passing grade.

Expectations
Students are expected to have read the materials for each class and actively participate in
discussions. Students should come to class prepared with questions and points for
discussion. When posing questions or participating in discussions, students should, as
much as possible, refer to the readings to support the points they are making. If you are
shy about speaking up in class, you are welcome to email me your questions or ideas for
class discussions.

Approach to Teaching
I am enthusiastic about Hans Christian Andersen: the man; his tales and his times. I bring
this enthusiasm to my teaching. I will start out with some background lectures. Since I
take a cultural/historical approach to Hans Christian Andersen’s tales, there will be some
lectures about mid-19th Century Denmark and the Danish Golden Age. But for the most
part, the class will be based on analysis of the tales, in-class group discussions and class
discussions.

I am enthusiastic about analyzing writing and writing itself. We will start by learning or
refreshing our techniques as to how to closely read a piece of literature so we can discuss
the tales in depth. I like to give students different academic options, whether it is with
presentations, writing assignments, discussion techniques, since everyone learns
differently – and I like to learn from you, too. You will decide what we do in class on April 6
– it will be your class

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

Practical Matters/Classroom Policies
Students are expected to be on time to class. If students miss multiple classes, it will affect
their engagement grade. Allowances, of course, will be made in case of illness but missing
too many classes without cause may result in the student being referred to Director of
Academic Affairs and/or Director of Student Affairs.

Laptops may be used for note-taking. Please wait until the break or time before and after
class, to check email, Facebook and check and send text messages. If surfing the internet
or text messaging becomes a problem, laptops and cell phones will be banned from the
classroom.

No eating in the classroom. Students are, of course, allowed to bring water, coffee or tea
but eating of meals during class is not allowed. Students may consume lunch or a snack at
the break. Also bathroom visits should also be limited to before or after class – or during
the break.

Disability and Accommodations
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should
contact the Academic Support Office at [email protected] to coordinate this. In order to
receive accommodations, students should inform me of the approved DIS
accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

Due Dates

Short Analysis 20%
Due on Thursday February 16. An interpretation of a fairy tale by Andersen. You may
choose one of the tales we have read or a new tale. Your interpretation must include a
discussion of how to approach the text by analyzing it by a close reading. 3-4 pages in
length.

Midterm 25%
Midterm in class on Thursday, March 9. This in-class midterm will cover factual information
about HCA and the Danish Golden Age. There will multiple choice questions, short answer
question and one essay type question.

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

Final Paper or Final Exam 30 %
Due in class on Thursday, May 4

For the paper, choose to do one of the following:

 An academic paper (6-7 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.). Should at least include two outside, academic
sources.
 A re-writing of your short analysis expanding on the original topic, taking into account
comments given on the original paper. Must be 7-8 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, broadening
your comparisons and further qualifying your arguments.

Please follow this suggested structure for your papers:

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. Analysis: comments, discussions, comparisons

3. Summary and conclusion

4. Notes and bibliography
or
Final Essay Exam 30%
Choose to take a final exam. Several essay questions will be posed. You pick two. Each
essay must consist of approx. 600 words or two double-spaced pages, 12 font.

Field Studies
Thursday, February 16, 8:00pm-10:00pm
Ballet performance at the Royal Theater. The Royal Theater and the Danish ballet company
were important to the Danish Golden Age. Details and tickets to be given out in class.

Wednesday, April 19, 1:30pm – 4:00pm
A visit to Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli opened in August 1848 and Hans Christian Andersen was
there. The Chinese Pavilion was an inspiration for “The Nightingale.” After a tour of the
gardens, you will have time on your own to explore and have fun. We will meet in our
classroom 10-B25 at 1:30pm and walk over to Tivoli. You must enter with the class as we
have special group admission tickets.

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

Course Schedule

1) Thu. Jan. 19 Hans Christian Andersen and The Ugly Duckling
Introduction to the course, to the life and times of Hans Christian
Andersen (HCA); Analysis of The Ugly Duckling taking a
biographical approach.
Readings
The Ugly Duckling, Haugaard p.216
HCA: The Fairy Tale of My Life – An Autobiography, Introduction.
& p.1-44

2) Mon. Jan. 23 The Life of the Storyteller
Introduction to Danish literary Romanticism. Historical and
cultural background of the times of Hans Christian Andersen,
different approaches to two of his tales.
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) Thu. Jan. 26 Once upon a Time….
HCA and the folk tale, sources of inspiration
Readings
Grimm Brothers: The Six Swans, in course compendium
HCA: The Wild Swans, Haugaard, p.117
W.H. Auden: Grimm and Andersen, in course compendium

4) Mon. Jan. 30 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 compendium

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

5) Thu. Feb. 2 The Storyteller
HCA’s published his first collection of fairy tales in 1835. We are
going to read two of the four stories of the collection and pay
special attention to how he depicted the nobility and children. We
are also going to read his breakthrough poem The Dying Child.
Readings
HCA: The Princess and the Pea, Haugaard p.20
HCA: Little Ida’s Flower, Haugaard p.22
HCA: The Dying Child, in course compendium
Jens Andersen: Hans Christian Andersen, p.215-248

Core Course Week: Monday, February 6 – Saturday, February 11

6) Mon. Feb. 13 Hans Christian Andersen and Satire
Beneath the fairy tale surface there are satirical and (typical
Danish) comments on Danish mentality and society in HCA’s
stories.
Readings
HCA: The Emperor’s New Clothes, Haugaard p.77
HCA: The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep, Haugaard
p.297

7) Thu. Feb. 16 The Danish Golden Age, Romanticism and Hans Christian
Andersen
Short analysis due
The Danish Golden Age; key terms in Romantic thinking;
Biedermeier and the bourgeoisie, search for knowledge and
happiness, the new role of children
Readings
Danish Golden Age article posted on DIS Canvas

Thursday, February 16 8:00pm-10:00pm
Ballet performance at the Royal Theater. The Royal Theater and the Danish ballet
company were important to the Danish Golden Age. Meet at the theater no later than
7:30pm

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

8) Mon. Feb. 20 The Quest
The Little Mermaid is one of Andersen’s most complex stories.
We will – among other things – use a psychoanalytical approach
analyzing it. We will also look at one of the many adaptions of the
story: Disney’s animated version from 1989.
Readings
HCA: The Little Mermaid, Haugaard p.57
Roberta Trites: Disney’s Sub/Version of Andersen’s in course
Compendium

9) Thu. Feb. 23 Mothers & Children
How does HCA portray love between mother and child? How
does he write about his own mother?
Readings
HCA: The Story of a Mother, Haugaard p.360
HCA: She was No Good, Haugaard p.452
HCA: The Diaries of Hans Christian Andersen, in course
compendium

Study Tours/Break February 25 - March 5

10) Mon. Mar. 6 The Snow Queen
A close analysis of one of HCA’s most recognized artistic tales.
Readings
The Snow Queen, Haugaard p.234

11) Thu. Mar. 9 Midterm in Class

12) Mon. Mar. 13 The Snow Queen cont’d
We will continue our discussion of the Snow Queen, make
comparisons with The Little Mermaid and talk about the film
adaptation “Frozen”
Readings
Please re-read The Snow Queen, look over The Little Mermaid
and bring your questions and observation to class

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

13) Thu. Mar. 16 Love Story
In many of HCA’s stories he explores the idea of love and
obsession. We will look at HCA’s view on women, love and
marriage
Readings
HCA: The Snowman, Haugaard p.718
HCA: The Butterfly, Haugaard p.782
Lise Sørensen: Give me a Bride, in course compendium

Study Tours/Break March 18– March 26

14) Mon. Mar.27 The Dark Side
HCA delves into the darker side of man’s nature and gives
uncanny psychological portraits as well as exploring the theme of
the innocent vs. the intellectual
Readings
HCA: The Shadow, Haugaard p.334

15) Thu. Mar. 30 The Social Critic
Even though HCA rose to fame and wealth, he never forgot his
humble beginnings and showed sympathy for the poor
Readings
HCA: A Drop of Water, Haugaard p.354
HCA: The Little Match Girl, Haugaard p. 306

16) Mon. Apr. 3 Art vs. Nature
HCA’s stories take up the themes of the romantic over the
rationalist; culture vs. nature, the genuine vs. the artificial.
Readings
HCA: The Swineherd, Haugaard p.193
HCA: The Nightingale, Haugaard p.203

17) Thu. Apr. 6 The Artist
Vote to be taken as to what you want to do for Your Class on
April 20
How did Hans Christian Andersen perceive the role of the artist?
The importance of art and the artist. Hans Christian Andersen as
an artist
Readings
HCA: Psyche, Haugaard p. 785

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature
Final Syllabus

18) Mon. Apr. 10 Inanimate Objects
From the children’s nursery to the cook’s kitchen, Hans Christian
Andersen creates marvelous tales using objects. We will look at
the life story and the suffering portrayed in two tales about
objects.

Readings
HCA; The Darning Needle, Haugaard p. 271
HCS: The Teapot, Haugaard p. 845

Optional Tour/Break April 12 – April 17

Wednesday, April 19, 1:30pm – 4:00pm
A visit to Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli opened in August 1848 and Hans Christian Andersen was
there. The Chinese Pavilion was an inspiration for “The Nightingale.” After a tour of the
gardens, you will have time on your own to explore and have fun. We will meet in our
classroom 10-B25 at 1:30pm and walk over to Tivoli as a group.

19) Thu. Apr. 20 Your class
Depending on the outcome of the class vote on April 6

20) Mon. Apr. 24 Portrayals of Females in Hans Christian Andersen’s works
Hans Christian Andersen portrays women as children, mothers,
Grandmothers – and to a lesser extent as mothers. Was Hans
Christian Andersen a “feminist”? Or?
Readings
HCA: The Red Shoes, Haugaard p. 289
Review portrayal of female characters from The Shepherdess
and the Chimney Sweep, The Swineherd, The Little Mermaid,
The Snow Queen, etc.

21) Thu. Apr. 27 HCA: the Future and Technological Progress
With the industrial revolution, the end of absolute monarchy and
technical advances, the world was changing rapidly in the mid-
19th century. Along with societal and technical changes, there
were also changes in morals and values.
Readings
HCA: The Millennium, Haugaard p.428
HCA: Great Grandfather, Haugaard p.987
HCA: The Great Sea Serpent, Haugaard p. 1006

Hans Christian Andersen and the Danish Golden Age| DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Major Disciplines: Literature