Dutch

This course helps students discover the history and culture of the country in which they are now staying: The Netherlands. This course explores how and when the Netherlands grew to become the country it now is. When did the Netherlands become a Republic and how come it now also has a King? How did a country that emerged out of religious wars end up among the most ‘progressive’ countries when it comes to ethical questions such as birth control and euthanasia? Why does this small country on the international scene often present itself as a moral leader? How has living below the sea level influenced political cooperativeness and social egalitarianism? How tolerant was and is Dutch society? And how ‘Golden’ was the Golden Age that brought the country its famous painters, but also built on colonial profits? Analyzing the past to make sense of the present, the course explores the most relevant parts of Dutch history and also critically reflects on the concepts and categories often used to relate these to present issues. Can we speak of ‘a’ Dutch identity, and if so, what does it mean? What are the (inter)national images of Dutch culture, and when and why were they constructed? Paintings, songs, literature, and other sources are used to research Dutch national stereotypes in their national context. In weekly tutorials, key aspects of Dutch identity such as the love of independence, tolerance, and egalitarianism are discussed while chronologically moving through Dutch early modern history and modern history. All sessions are a mixture of interactive lectures and PBL format, allowing students to share their own experiences, bring in relevant background knowledge and phrase their own questions. Short individual presentations are used to zoom in on specific famous paintings, songs, novels, and other sources related to the theme of that particular week. This course runs during both block 1 and 2. 

This course consists of seven meetings of two hours each during block 1. The main focus of this course is communication, students learn the basic words and grammar needed to interact with Dutch people. Course participants learn to use common greetings and useful expressions; how to introduce themselves; simple grammatical constructions and words; tell the time in Dutch; order meals and drinks in restaurants and cafés; make payments and request the bill; and become more familiar with the Dutch culture.  The class uses the book “Start.nl” as the main material, however, homework relies on the digital learning environment in Canvas. During class meetings, students have the opportunity to ask questions of the teacher and to practice communication with fellow students. After class, students are expected to dedicate about 1 hour per session for homework. Assessment includes a mid-term and final exam, two assessments in order to assess your communicative skills. The final score consists of 3 notes: in-class participation, the mid-term assessment, and the final exam.

This course consists of fourteen meetings of two hours each over block 1 and block 2. The main focus of this course is communication, students learn the basic words and grammar needed to interact with Dutch people. Course participants learn to use common greetings and useful expressions; how to introduce themselves; simple grammatical constructions and words; tell the time in Dutch; understand train announcements, and train timetables, and how to navigate the public transportation system; order meals and drinks in restaurants and cafés; make payments and request the bill; and become more familiar with the Dutch culture.  The class uses the book “Start.nl” as the main material, however, homework relies on the digital learning environment in Canvas. During class meetings, students have the opportunity to ask questions of the teacher and to practice communication with fellow students. After class, students are expected to dedicate about 1 hour per session for homework. The class includes a field trip to experience Dutch specialties and practice language skills. Assessment includes a mid-term and final exam, two assessments in order to assess your communicative skills. The final score consists of 3 notes: in-class participation, the mid-term assessment, and the final exam.

The course is about Dutch art – with an emphasis on painting. Since the Middle Ages, the Netherlands has played a pivotal role in the history of European art and culture. Dutch and Flemish artists were the first to use oil paints, the first to visually document the lives and cultures of ordinary people, and the first to produce art for a free market. Painters such as Van Eyck, Brueghel, Bosch, Rubens, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Mondrian are counted among the great masters of history. Their art embodies qualities that are believed to be typical for the country, such as a devotion to truthfulness, attention to detail, and a love of textures. But there were many more artists whose works are still considered among the most important in history – if only because they were the first to notice the mundane things nobody else had paid attention to, such as the beauty of a still-life or the wonders of a cloudy sky. From the late Middle Ages through the Renaissance and the Baroque to the modern era, Dutch artists have tried to come to terms with ever-changing principles and conceptions regarding the world around them and have been constantly improving techniques to visualize it. The results of their efforts are the subject of this course. The course mostly follows a chronological order. In the first lecture, the (religious) significance of art in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Baroque is introduced. In the following lectures, students are given an overview of the development of Dutch art from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The course includes tours to various museums in Mauritshuis and the Hague. 

This course is for people with no prior knowledge of Dutch. Once you've completed this course you will be able to: present yourself; ask for and provide personal details; talk about daily activities; talk about your hobbies; talk about your family; and get around in a shops.

The language section of the course helps students develop and improve the skills and strategies necessary to successfully manage most uncomplicated oral and written tasks and social situations which may be confronted within daily life in the Netherlands. The culture & society section provides a basic understanding of present-day Dutch society and culture. Through reading articles covering Dutch culture, students learn to understand the Dutch way of approaching and discussing cultural and society issues.

Format
During the language section, the classroom language is Dutch. The main activity is the use of Dutch in a variety of oral and written communication tasks. The instructor provides input, instruction, and explanations.
In the culture section, topics on Dutch society and culture are introduced and discussed. Reading materials on Dutch culture are studied in English and/or Dutch.
Students are expected to give a presentation in English.

Country of tulips, windmills, bicycles, and canals, with friendly and open-minded people. There must be more to the Netherlands than is being suggested by such stereotypical images. This course explores peculiarities, intricacies, and dynamics of Dutch culture and society in a global context.
The course provides various perspectives on contemporary Dutch society and culture, discusses themes such as national identity, toleration, ethnic diversity, and the echo's of two world wars in the previous century. Each theme is presented within a historical dimension and includes case studies from Dutch literature, architecture, film, or painting. With reference to the concept of "cultural memory", narratives about the past featuring in today’s realities are explored. The course is designed for international exchange students, to familiarize them with Dutch society and culture as they find it during their stay in the Netherlands.