H.C. Andersen and his Contemporaries

The course deals with literature and philosophy in the Danish Golden Age (ca. 1800-1850) with a special focus on Hans Christian Andersen's writing.

H.C. Andersen and his Contemporaries is an English course for all international students.

Based on relevant topics (including natural philosophy, medievalism, theory of genius, aesthetics, the big city, modernity and romanticism), parallels are drawn between Andersen and Danish contemporary writers: Adam Oehlenschläger, B.S. Ingemann, N.F.S. Grundtvig, H.C. Ørsted and Søren Kierkegaard.

Relevant theories discussed in the course: nationalism and national thought, existentialism, medievalism, natural philosophy, historicism, philosophy of history, romantic aesthetics.

Overall learning questions that the course will answer: Analyze and discuss central themes within Danish literature and philosophy during the Golden Age (c. 1800 – 1850) Reflect on and situate H.C. Andersen's authorship in a Danish and international context