Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module GERM2021: GERMAN LANGUAGE 2

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (German)

GERM2021: GERMAN LANGUAGE 2

Type Level Credits Availability Module Cap Location
Open 2 20 Available in 2005/2006 None. Durham

Pre-requisites

  • German Language 1 (I) (GERM1011).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations

  • German Language 2 and Year Abroad (GERM2111). Not available to students following the European Studies programme; German in Society II (LANG2071).

Aims

  • In year 2 students improve and expand their written and oral skills, expanding on the foundation of grammatical and syntactical accuracy consolidated at Level 1, so as to explore more sophisticated modes of verbal expression and variety of linguistic registers.

Content

  • Study of a series of specific topics which are the focus for discussion, writing and interpreting exercises.
  • The module is dossier based.
  • Prepared dossiers contain material on 8 topics, as well as examples of 'business' letters.
  • Topics are either of general or specific socio-cultural interest.
  • The topics are explored orally in a number of different ways.
  • debate exposition, free discussion etc.
  • A variety of written assignments consolidate vocabulary and requires students to pay more attention to formal features of the language.
  • The interpreting hours held in the language laboratory teach students the skill of focusing on the content rather than the form of expression in English and German.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
Subject-specific Skills
  • The module emphasises performance skills, to enhance the student's ability to write and speak German more freely and move more easily between English and German.
Key Skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Year 2: Regular, assessed practice in a variety of written and oral exercises extends linguistic accuracy and verbal manipulation.
  • these exercises included some relevant to functioning well in a German-speaking country.
  • Summative assessment tests competencies acquired in formative practice.
  • Year Abroad assessment consists of an essay to demonstrate: accuracy of language.
  • appropriateness of language (register and idiom).
  • range of language (lexis and structures).
  • originality of content (evidence of personal experience and response.
  • sophistication of reflection and analysis.
  • insight into the target language culture).
  • quality of information in content (breadth and/or depth of information).
  • structure and presentation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Practicals 21 Weekly 1 hour 21
Interpreting Sessions 21 Weekly 1 hour 21
Preparation and Reading 158
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written Examination 50% two-hour written examination 100%
Oral Examination 25% 15-minute oral examination 100%
Interpreting Examination 25% 15-minute interpreting examination 100%

Formative Assessment

Regular written/oral/interpreting practice.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.