Topics in modern German

Aims

Aims

By the end of the module students should:

• Be able to understand and recognize aspects of modern German
• Broaden their knowledge and skills in producing German in different social contexts
• Be able to show an increased awareness of register and a variety of linguistic styles
• Be able to research aspects of modern German and present material in oral and written form in advanced German

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 

This is an option module which can be taken additionally to the two core modules.

The module counts as a Language module taught entirely in German.

This module deals with trends in the German language looking at language change and a variety of aspects of the language as it is used at the moment.

Students will improve their language skills by researching aspects of Modern German using audio, video and text-based material. They will for instance look at the influence of foreign languages on Modern German (specifically English) or how changes in the language are viewed in German society and dealt with. Students will also look at the language as it is used in different media and contexts. For example the language of advertising and the press will be analysed and students will look at Modern German as it is used in Youth Culture(s) or by different groups of immigrants.

Contact hours

Terms 1 and 2: two hours per week:

• One seminar
• One supervised project-work

There will be a weekly one hour long seminar and one hour dedicated to project work, which will be a mixture of tutor-led classes and individual sessions with the tutor by appointment. Students will receive a list of topics to choose from, or they can work on a topic they have chosen and discussed with the tutor.

Term 3: one contact hour a week will be dedicated to the projectwork and consolidation of knowledge and language skills in the group or in individual sessions with the tutor.

Teaching materials

Course material will be supplied by the tutor.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• Written formative work
  • Written comments on the work
  • Mark on University mark scale
  • Oral/written feedback in class
  • Class discussion on 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
  • Mark on university marking scale
  • Comments on different aspects of the presentation, i.e. content, argumentation, logic, register etc.
  • Individual feedback during office hours, when necessary

Written feedback will usually be given within 2 weeks.

Summative assessment and feedback

• Written assignment
  • Paper 1
    • 3000 word Written Assignment (based on the project work) in German, term 3  
    • Weight: 60%
    • Feedback: written feedback form with a mark on the university marking scale, confirmed by the second marker, written comments on different aspects of the work, i.e. structure, content, logic and argumentation, grammatical accuracy, examples of typical mistakes (language).
• Oral Presentation
  • 1 oral presentation in German on the project, term 3 
    • Weight: 40%
    • Feedback:  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.

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, this module will allow you to particularly develop skills in application of data analysis skills: on this module you will chose a project topic, and develop a research plan and schedule for the work to be completed. Through regular group seminars and individual meetings you will develop your understanding of issues in the modern German language as it is used today. You will research various resources and materials and improve your data analysis skills culminating in a research paper and oral presentation of your findings.

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