German language and society III

Aims

Aims

After satisfactorily completing the module you should be able to:

• Show fluency in the presentation and discussion of topical issues in German
• Research cultural issues relating to German speaking countries and present that information in longer written pieces of work or presentations
• Structure and present argumentative work or hold debates and discussions in class/in groups
• Understand, evaluate and critically reflect on controversial current topics
• Produce a variety of sophisticated texts and oral contributions in class discussions or group work
• Be able to reflect on style, register and cultural references in video passages or written material

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed:

• A study year in Germany or a semester in Germany
  During the time at a German university agreed courses will have to be completed satisfactorily. 

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

• Terms 1 and 2: two hours per week: 1 text class, 1 oral class. Two to three hours of preparation will be required for each contact hour.
• Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 2: There will be no timetabled teaching sessions in weeks 9 and 10 of term 2.
  Consultation will take place in individual sessions discussing the end of year paper.
• Term 3: There will be one seminar per week focussing primarily on revision and consolidation of knowledge and language skills.

Teaching programme

• Text class
  Analysis and production of texts. Discussions on issues researched online or in authentic materials.
• Oral class
  Presentation of topical issues and student-led discussions. Practice of oral argumentation and prepared as well as unprepared contributions in class and group work.

Teaching materials

 A dossier of texts and materials will be provided by the tutor.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• Written formative work
  • Written comments on the work, and mark on University mark scale
  • Oral/written feedback in class, discussing major issues and mistakes/content/structure
  • Individual feedback during office hours, when necessary
   
• Oral formative work:
  • Feedback on oral presentations and class discussions
  • Direct oral feedback in class discussions
  • Written feedback form for oral presentations with mark on university marking scale, comments on different aspects of the presentation, i.e. content, argumentation, logic, register etc.
  • Individual feedback during my office hours, when necessary

Written feedback will usually be given within one week to 10 days

Summative assessment and feedback

• One 3000 word written assignment on an agreed topic to be submitted, term 3 (Paper 1)
  • Weight: 60%
  • Feedback: written feedback form with a mark on the university marking scale, confirmed by the second marker; and written comments on different aspects of the work, i.e. structure, content, logic and argumentation, grammatical accuracy, examples of typical mistakes (language). Feedback will be given by week 9, when students will also be able to see comments on their written assignment at an appointed time.
• Oral exam 
  Discussion and questions on topics covered in the module, term 3 
  • Weight: 40%
  • Feedback: Written feedback within three weeks.

Skills

Transferable skills developed in this module

All modules provide an opportunity to work on general oral/written communication skills (in class and in assessments) and general self management (organising your studies), alongside the specific skills in language or linguistics that the module teaches.

In addition to these, this module will allow you to particularly develop skills in social and intercultural awareness.  By investigating current issues in societies where German is spoken, you will learn how historical and political events shape societies, how cultural expectations inform debates and how you can best communicate your understanding in German.

Follow this link to hear how past students use transferable skills from their degree in their current jobs.