About the Program

This program is based in Copenhagen and addresses the interplay of public art and activism, as well as their role in making visible histories and identities in Denmark, past and present.  Students will gain a grounding in Danish history, cultures, and cultural heritage institutions and explore how public art installations such as I AM QUEEN MARY (now virtual) have consciously brought together artists, cultural heritage institutions, government, and communities to engage in the complex process of social justice activism through public art. An interdisciplinary investigation of the emerging role of cultural-heritage institutions will involve students developing their own research projects and becoming active learners in the community. We will work with partners at the University of Copenhagen, as well as community partners and artists in the city of Copenhagen. 

The program will examine the role of publicly funded cultural heritage institutions and their relationship with community artists and public art. Some of the questions we’ll explore are:

• How does this relationship illuminate previously neglected historical layers of the city and culture?  
• How does public art provide value in the public sector? What is the role of oppositional art in an emerging pluralistic society? 
• What is the value statement made through collaborations between public artists, art institutions and government to produce new permanent cultural heritage sites? 

We will explore different approaches to conceptualizing and demonstrating public value and how that relates to publicly funded and managed initiatives in public arts and cultural heritage, as well as how public art and advocacy enriches and challenges the paradigms and positionality of ‘public art’ and ‘cultural heritage.’

Learning objectives

• Engage in informed conversation within a close-knit learning community to learn about Denmark, its history and culture as a foundation to investigating the topics of the program
• Read different genres within Danish writings (in translation)
• Through writing and discussion, articulate understanding of topics from lectures, texts, guest speakers, and individual research projects
• Engage in generative group discussion as well as individual reflection
• Facilitate personal reflection to gain awareness and to engage in complexities of identity and its construction within Denmark (individual, family, community, nation, etc.)

The program includes a long weekend excursion to Aarhus, Denmark.

Housing

Students will be housed in the centrally located top rated Generator hostel. For more information visit their website.

Program Credit / Course Description

Honors 384, Interdisciplinary (cross-listed with INFO 497, students select either HONORS or INFO).

Interested graduate students should send an email to Professor Trent Hill for credit information. 

VLPA / I&S, “W”, “DIV”

5 credits, 3 weeks in Denmark

Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Science will inform program readings, discussions, research, and other assignments.

We will work together in a close knit community to learn deeply, dialogue honestly, even if uncomfortable, and be sensitive, informed visitors to Denmark. 

Program Leadership

Dr. Juliana Villegas is associate director of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program and affiliate assistant professor in the department of English.  Dr. Villegas regularly teaches abroad, most recently at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany.  Villegas has created and directed many study broad programs during her time at the UW and is an experienced international educator. She holds her Ph.D. in English from the University of Washington (The Racial Shadow in American Literature) where her research is grounded in critical mixed race and comparative global immigration and migration narratives. A recent focus of her scholarship is within digital storytelling and its impact on identity formation and representation of memory.

Dr. Trent Hill is an Associate Teaching Professor for the iSchool, where he has served on the faculty since 2002. Dr. Hill teaches courses in knowledge organization, human information behavior, the history and foundations of librarianship, and instructional design. His published research is on the history and concept of “genre” in music as well as its relationship to classification systems. Trent has been traveling to northern Europe, particularly the Netherlands and Denmark, both professionally and personally since 1996, and has been directing study abroad programs since 2008, including a Denmark program from 2013-17.

 

Program Expenses

The costs listed includes tuition via concurrent enrollment fee and all housing and excursions in Copenhagen. The Aarhus weekend excursion is an additional $350 ($4,250).

Students are responsible for most meals, airfare, study abroad fee, and insurance.

Program fee: $3,900 + $350 (Aarhus excursion)

UW concurrent enrollment fee: $470

Average Airplane Ticket: $1,200-1,500

Daily out of pocket food costs (approximately): $45

Payment Schedule:

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Payment Type	Payment Amount	Payment Due Date
Non-Refundable UW Study Abroad Fee	$470	TBD
Program Fee Balance	$3,900 + $390	TBD
TOTAL FEES CHARGED	$4,770	–

Making the program affordable

The Honors Program is passionate about study abroad and the incredible impact it can have on a student’s life. Don’t assume you can’t afford to study outside of the U.S. Here are resources to help you get started on your global adventures!

Honors Program Scholarships

The Honors Program offers a number of scholarships for current Honors Program students. These scholarship funds may be used for UW approved study abroad programs or exchanges. Students may apply beginning in late January (deadline is March 30).

Study Abroad Scholarships at UW

Every student who applies and is accepted to a study abroad program is considered for a scholarship. Scholarship awards are dependent on need and students may be awarded up to $4,000. Visit the study abroad office in 459 Schmitz Hall to learn more or click here. Students may also email goglobal@uw.edu for an advising appointment.

There are several outside resources for study abroad scholarships. Visit the UW’s Study Abroad Scholarship page for more information on scholarship support as well as information about GET funds and how you may apply the GET to your study abroad costs.

Using Financial Aid for Study Abroad

You may find more information about using your existing financial aid for study abroad on the Study Abroad Office’s Financial Aid webpage. In general, all financial aid awarded may be used to support study abroad. Exceptions to this include tuition waivers, work-study awards, or scholarships that are specific about using the award for tuition (although there may be flexibility with some scholarships, please check with the financial aid office). Tuition waivers and work-study are never allowed for study abroad.

Revision of Need

You may also turn in a “Revision of Need” form with the Financial Aid Office if you have a FAFSA on file. Once you are accepted to a study abroad program, visit the Study Abroad Office to obtain a budget for your study abroad program then complete the Revision Request and turn in both the budget and the revision request to the Office of Student Financial Aid in Schmitz Hall.

Visit the Financial Aid Study Abroad Funding Website for more information about applying for Summer quarter financial aid and for information about Exploration Seminar financial aid timeline (different than A or B term financial aid disbursement timeline.

Application Process

This program is for students in the Honors Program and Information School as well as all undergraduate students at the UW Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma campuses. Program values are grounded in intersectional justice and equity, recruiting and welcoming students from all backgrounds.

Students will receive Honors core credit, interdisciplinary VLPA and I&S (Areas of Knowledge designation), as well as additional writing (“W”) and Diversity credit.  LIS graduate students should contact Trent Hill for more details about credit (LIS 519).

APPLY NOW 

March 1, 2022 Deadline