Teaching for Prosperity? Preparing American Studies Students for the Job Market

This essay explores the challenges faced by American studies faculty and students in Denmark, specifically those preparing for careers in Danish-American relations outside academia. It discusses the evolution of American studies programs at Danish universities, particularly the University of Southe...

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Main Author: Anne Mørk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: CBS Open Journals 2024-12-01
Series:American Studies in Scandinavia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://rauli.cbs.dk/index.php/assc/article/view/7376
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author Anne Mørk
author_facet Anne Mørk
author_sort Anne Mørk
collection DOAJ
description This essay explores the challenges faced by American studies faculty and students in Denmark, specifically those preparing for careers in Danish-American relations outside academia. It discusses the evolution of American studies programs at Danish universities, particularly the University of Southern Denmark, in response to criticism regarding the applicability of humanities degrees in the private sector. The essay highlights curricular changes that emphasize practical skills, such as the inclusion of business courses and internships, while maintaining the interdisciplinary foundation of the program. Additionally, it examines the cultural and academic benefits that American studies students bring to business and diplomatic sectors, especially in understanding US-Danish transnational relations. The article also addresses the broader dilemma faced by humanities programs in balancing traditional academic virtues with practical job skills. Finally, it reflects on the shifting global influence of the US and its implications for future American studies faculty and students in Denmark.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0044-8060
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher CBS Open Journals
record_format Article
series American Studies in Scandinavia
spelling doaj-art-4b96d42cfd98457492bbf8fb2a8af0732025-01-18T15:22:53ZengCBS Open JournalsAmerican Studies in Scandinavia0044-80602024-12-0156210.22439/asca.v56i2.7376Teaching for Prosperity? Preparing American Studies Students for the Job MarketAnne Mørk This essay explores the challenges faced by American studies faculty and students in Denmark, specifically those preparing for careers in Danish-American relations outside academia. It discusses the evolution of American studies programs at Danish universities, particularly the University of Southern Denmark, in response to criticism regarding the applicability of humanities degrees in the private sector. The essay highlights curricular changes that emphasize practical skills, such as the inclusion of business courses and internships, while maintaining the interdisciplinary foundation of the program. Additionally, it examines the cultural and academic benefits that American studies students bring to business and diplomatic sectors, especially in understanding US-Danish transnational relations. The article also addresses the broader dilemma faced by humanities programs in balancing traditional academic virtues with practical job skills. Finally, it reflects on the shifting global influence of the US and its implications for future American studies faculty and students in Denmark. https://rauli.cbs.dk/index.php/assc/article/view/7376American studiesDanish-American relationshumanitiesacademic job skillstransnational understanding
spellingShingle Anne Mørk
Teaching for Prosperity? Preparing American Studies Students for the Job Market
American Studies in Scandinavia
American studies
Danish-American relations
humanities
academic job skills
transnational understanding
title Teaching for Prosperity? Preparing American Studies Students for the Job Market
title_full Teaching for Prosperity? Preparing American Studies Students for the Job Market
title_fullStr Teaching for Prosperity? Preparing American Studies Students for the Job Market
title_full_unstemmed Teaching for Prosperity? Preparing American Studies Students for the Job Market
title_short Teaching for Prosperity? Preparing American Studies Students for the Job Market
title_sort teaching for prosperity preparing american studies students for the job market
topic American studies
Danish-American relations
humanities
academic job skills
transnational understanding
url https://rauli.cbs.dk/index.php/assc/article/view/7376
work_keys_str_mv AT annemørk teachingforprosperitypreparingamericanstudiesstudentsforthejobmarket