Course Description:

*Willemoes and the Wars of England* is intended for students in upper elementary school and secondary school who are studying history.

This highlights a local aspect of the national and international history surrounding the Anglo-Danish Wars, as the naval hero Peter Willemoes from Assens took part in the Battle of Reden in 1801 and the Battle of Sjællands Odde in 1808.

The guide includes a proposal for a major inquiry-based, project-based unit in which students, acting as historical investigators, are to create an independent presentation based on a research question related to the topic.

The focus is on chronology, source analysis, the use of history, and student engagement.

The materials and selected assignments can also be used for a shorter course; the materials include student questions that can be used for this purpose.

This course can be usefully supplemented with a visit to the Willemoes Museum, the " Stories of Heroes" course, and/or the online course "War, Heroes, and Monuments."

Learning Objectives:

• Chronology and Context: Students can correctly place Willemoes and the English Wars in chronological order and explain the connections between events.
• Source Analysis and Critique: Students can analyze and evaluate various sources related to the period.
• Use of History: Students can creatively convey historical knowledge to an audience and put the use of history in the present into perspective.
• Historical Awareness: Students can reflect on and critically evaluate how heroic tales are used to shape national narratives and identity.
• History Canon: Students have knowledge of the Bombing of Copenhagen.

Activities:

• Secret Dossier: Hypotheses Based on Unclear Sources
• Timeline: Collaborative Mapping of Events
• “Source Carousel”: Working with Source Analysis and Source Criticism
• Project Work: Creating a Product That Addresses a Self-Selected Research Question
• Product Showcase
• Museum Visit

Materials:

• The teacher's guide can be downloaded here
• A presentation introducing Willemoes and the part of the English Wars in which he played a role can be downloaded here
• Student Assignments: Questions about the material, which can be used as a supplement or alternative to the main course, can be downloaded here
• Source Library: Dossier + Various sources providing information about Willemoes and the Battle of Reden—including paintings, a portrait, a letter (excerpt), a map of the battle, and a poem—can be downloaded here