Society & Structure: Sociological Tour of Denmark

Explore a country where college is tuition-free, healthcare is universal, and social trust is among the highest in the world! This trip to Denmark lets students experience firsthand how another society organizes social responsibility, citizenship, and global engagement.

Students will live and learn in two of Denmark’s most dynamic cities—Copenhagen, the country’s innovative capital, and Aarhus, a vibrant university city on the Jutland peninsula.  Along the way, students will engage with other college students and scholars at Aarhus University, visit public institutions and community organizations, and explore how Denmark’s social policies shape everyday life.

This course asks a powerful question: What responsibilities do governments have to the people who live within their borders—and to the wider world? Using Denmark and the United States as contrasting case studies, students will investigate three major themes:

• What do governments owe their citizens?

Explore policies on healthcare, education, labor protections, and social welfare.

• How are immigrants and refugees included—or excluded—from social systems?

Examine immigration policy, refugee integration, and debates about belonging.

• What obligations do nations have beyond their borders?

Discuss foreign aid, climate commitments, and international cooperation.

Denmark is an ideal place to explore these questions, combining universal benefits with high taxation and strong civic trust. By comparing this model with the more market-oriented and decentralized system of the United States, students will gain new insight into how culture, politics, and history shape policy choices.

Learning happens both inside and outside the classroom. Some of our visits will include the renowned “UN City,” the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, interact with college students, and visit the Danish Parliament. This program offers more than travel—it’s an opportunity to see sociology in action and challenge assumptions about how societies work.

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