Accessibility statement

German Language & Cultures: Proficient - LAN00010H

« Back to module search

  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Mr. Thomas Jochum-Critchley
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module combines an in-depth study of German with analysis of cultural and social phenomena. Students will develop knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in German at proficient level through engagement with topics such as discourses on migration/postmigration, memory politics, and decolonisation.

Related modules

Pre-requisite module

German Language and Cultures: Advanced (or equivalent level of language proficiency).

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims at refining students’ knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in German, and to develop a plurilingual and pluricultural communicative competence at proficient level. The module covers a variety of sources in German and English about contemporary cultural and social issues in German-speaking countries, and related diasporic communities. Particular emphasis will be given to developing students' ability to research, analyse, present, and synthesise sources from critical perspectives using a range of sophisticated language structures accurately. Students will also receive training in professional presentation skills. The medium of instruction is German. Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities focussing on three modes of communication: 1) reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension); 2) production activities (oral and written production); 3) interaction (oral, written and online interaction).

Module learning outcomes

Ability to understand a wide range of long and complex written, audiovisual and digital texts, and media, appreciating subtle distinctions of style and implicit as well as explicit meaning.

Ability to produce clear, smoothly flowing, complex texts in an appropriate and effective style and a logical structure, demonstrating a good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. Ability to set out multiple perspectives on complex topics, clearly distinguishing their own ideas and opinions from those in the sources.

Ability to present complex information concisely to a live audience for a variety of purposes. Awareness of cultural differences and ability to make subtle adjustments in order to navigate diverse cultural contexts.

Module content

This module will cover a number of social, cultural and political aspects relevant for German speaking countries today, such as memory politics, postmigration and aspects of popular culture. Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities focussing on three modes of communication: 1) reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension); 2) production activities (oral and written production); 3) interaction (oral, written and online interaction).

The medium of instruction is German.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
German Language and Cultures: Proficient		 3 hours 50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Oral exam		 0.33 hours 50

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Reassessment: German Language and Cultures: Proficient		 3 hours 50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Reassessment: Oral exam		 0.33 hours 50

Module feedback

Feedback on formative work will include a range of feedback approaches depending on the task, including but limited to written individual feedback, annotation of written work, oral individual and group feedback in class.

Feedback on summative written and oral assessments will be given in form of annotated scripts, written feedback sheets, and marks on the university marking scale within the turnaround time specified by the university.

Indicative reading

Course materials and readings will be provided by the course convenor at the start of the semester.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.