Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module GERM3071: GERMAN LANGUAGE 4

Department: MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES (GERMAN)

GERM3071: GERMAN LANGUAGE 4

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • German Language 2 (GERM2021) or German Language 2 and Year Abroad (GERM2111).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Not available to students following the European Studies programme; Area Studies in German (LANG3351); German in Society 3 (LANG3**1).

Aims

  • Students use authentic material from a selected dossier which gives the opportunity to perform distinct language exercises: translation, essay work and oral work (conversation in the foreign language).
  • At the end of the year we expect the best students to have reached near-native proficiency.
  • Weekly oral classes with native Germans also contribute to this objective.

Content

  • The final year language course is based on a dossier, which contains material on six topics.
  • The six topics of the dossier provide material for formal exercises and student-centred learning.
  • This material provides the foundation for the end-of-year examination, in which translation, essay and tested oral work reflect the subject matter, range of idiom and linguistic levels found in the dossier.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Increased knowledge and understanding of a number of topical issues in the German-speaking countries.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students should consolidate and develop skills in oral and written argument and presentation, in German English translation and in German grammar.
  • Increased command of the relevant German vocabulary.
Key Skills:
  • Students' ability to use the internet and other learning resources to research and present relevant material should have improved.

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

  • There are TWO one-hour classes per week, one oral/precis class, and one translation class. At the start of the year students must sign up for one of each of these groups. In addition, they are required to attend small-group conversation classes with a native speaker on a regular basis. These will be organized by their oral/precis tutor.
  • Students are required to attend all classes for their groups, and to prepare themselves for classes and participate actively in discussions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 22 Weekly 1 hour 22
Oral Hours 22 Weekly 1 hour 22
Preparation and Reading 156
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
two-hour written examination 100%
Component: Oral Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
oral examination 100%

Formative Assessment:

Regular written/oral practice.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University