Module MELA20030: GERMAN READING SKILLS FOR RESEARCH 2

Department: Modern Language and Cultures

MELA20030: GERMAN READING SKILLS FOR RESEARCH 2

Prerequisites

• A-level in German (normally A or B) or equivalent OR a good working knowledge of either Latin or Greek or other foreign languages which may be relevant for the learning of German (Potential participants in this module will all be invited to a one-to-one registration interview)

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• In accordance with the general aims of an Arts taught MA, to promote self-motivated study of German as a preliminary to, and as providing an essential tool for, research in the general field of History and other disciplines that require a reading knowledge of the German language.

Content

• Reading skills for academic German.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• demonstrate a knowledge and an understanding of the basic underlying German grammar;
• demonstrate a knowledge of vocabulary used in German general academic discourse in Arts and Humanities.

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• extract relevant information and understand original written sources in German with the requisite aids such as dictionaries, grammars and commentaries to hand.
• acquire various reading strategies such as skimming and intensive reading
• make effective use of reference materials such as grammars and dictionaries (standard and online)
• use a range of language-learning techniques and skills by independently developing strategies to extend the lexis in their subject-area and their knowledge of grammar
• understand and translate passages of German of the type and difficulty level likely to be needed for their research

• At the end of the module students will have enhanced their ability to:
• work as independent learners and researchers
• use reference materials
• apply reading skills and strategies effectively for academic purposes

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

• This module is delivered through seminar style classes and one-to-one tutorials, but also contains a reflective portfolio to be created by the student.
• There will be two 1.5 hour seminars per week for 9 weeks in term 1 and for 2 weeks in term 2.
• The portfolio will contain a selection of reading passages and evidence of the learner’s engagement with the language issues (grammatical, vocabulary-related, syntactical) he or she has identified and overcome. The evidence of this learning process will take the form of a weekly blog with regular tutor feedback and signposting to further study.
• In term 2 there will be 1 half-hour one-to-one tutorial and 2 one-hour one-to-one tutorials for each student. Individual texts geared at the students’ research needs will be selected in collaboration with their dissertation supervisor.
• In term 3 there will be a 1.5 hour revision seminar in week 1 and 2.
• Students will be monitored and formally assessed by way of a reflective portfolio (see above) and by a formal written examination.
• The final examination will be completed unseen, but with dictionaries, grammars and commentaries as appropriate.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be given independent learning tasks for each class and tutorial with teacher feedback. They will be guided through their portfolio.

■ 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