This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (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 2010/2011 | None. | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- German Language 1 (I) (GERM1011) or equivalent.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To improve and expand linguistic competencies (oral and written).
- To further improve and expand linguistic skills, knowledge of the culture of a country where the target language is spoken, and to stimulate intercultural awareness.
- To improve students' 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 a 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
- A greater understanding of:
- modern German life and culture through a variety of discussion topics,
- specific formal features of the German language,
- the interpretation of the German language (focusing on content rather than form of expression)
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
- Students will improve 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 a variety of linguistic registers.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Regular, assessed practice in a variety of written and oral exercises extends linguistic accuracy and verbal manipulation.
- these exercises include some relevant to functioning well in a German-speaking country.
- Summative assessment tests competencies acquired in formative practice, including appropriateness of language (register and idiom); and range of language (lexis and structures).
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practicals | 21 | Weekly | 1 hour | 21 | Yes |
| Interpreting Sessions | 21 | Weekly | 1 hour | 21 | Yes |
| Student preparation and reading time | 158 | ||||
| Total SLAT hours | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 50% | Examination | 2 hours | 100% | Yes |
| Interpreting Examination | 25% | Interpreting Exam | 1 hour | 100% | Yes |
| Oral Examination | 25% | Oral examination | 15 minutes | 100% | Yes |
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.