German. Course Descriptions. First Year B.A. Students (Advanced) 2016/17. Appendix 1: Contacts Appendix 2: Marking Scheme Appendix 3: Important Dates

Transcription

1 German Course Descriptions First Year B.A. Students (Advanced) 2016/17 Appendix 1: Contacts Appendix 2: Marking Scheme Appendix 3: Important Dates

2 First Year Coordinator: Dr. Tina Pusse (contact details see Appendix 1) Entry requirements for B.A. students: Leaving Certificate German or equivalent. Students must register for both modules offered, GR1100 German Language and Culture (Advanced) and GR1102 Skills for Studying German. These modules consist of the following components. Modules GR 1100 German Language and Culture (Advanced) Credits: 15 ECTS Module Components Semester Advanced German Language I (67%) 1 and 2 Introduction to German Literature (33%) 1 and 2 GR 1102 Skills for Studying German Credits: 5 ECTS Module Components Semester Skills for Studying German (50%) 1 Modern German History (50%) 2 Students must attend all classes that are offered. 2

3 Course Descriptions Module: GR 1100 German Language and Culture (Advanced) GR1100 Component: German Language (Advanced) (Sem. 1 and 2; 4 hrs. per week, plus one hour per week in the multi-media laboratory in Semester 1; counts 67% of the total mark of this module) Lecturers: Gabi Behrens, Joseph Twist, Natalie Nevin. Course description: This course aims to expand your knowledge of German. Lectures will focus on strengthening your confidence in the use of German in everyday situations. A communicative approach of language teaching and learning is used and a variety of stimulating oral and written exercises is employed, in conjunction with listening comprehension exercises. You will read and discuss a broad variety of interesting texts. Vocabulary will be expanded and grammatical ability will be strengthened. In Semester 1, language work in the multi-media laboratory will help students to improve their pronunciation and to gain confidence in their communicative skills. Course content and grammatical progression comply with the requirements of level A2/B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Prerequisites: A pass in German in the Leaving Certificate Higher Level examination or an equivalent attainment. Learning and teaching methods: A variety of stimulating oral and written exercises is employed, supplemented by conversation classes. Course content and grammatical progression comply with the requirements of level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The course programme includes a systematic revision of German grammar at beginners level. All students have access to the Virtual Learning Environment Blackboard where they can find announcements, assignments, lecture notes, websites, videos and audio material. Core texts: Semester 1: Optimal A2, Lehrbuch und Arbeitsbuch (available in Bookshop in NUIG) Niveau A2. (Hueber Verlag, 2013). Semester 2: Optimal B1. Kursbuch und Arbeitsbuch. Niveau B1. (Hueber Verlag, 2013). Languages of instruction: German and English Method of assessment and examination: Overall assessment is based on coursework evaluation, in-class tests and end-of-term exams. End-of-term exams: 50% (Written: 30%, Oral: 20%); Continuous assessment: 40% (assignments in grammar, writing, listening and reading comprehension); Language Lab. exercise 10%. 3

4 Note: It is obligatory to attend all written, aural and oral examinations. Attendance in all classes throughout the term is compulsory. Assignments handed in after the given deadline will not be accepted. If the student is absent for more than two consecutive classes a medical certificate is necessary. GR1100 Component: Introduction to German Literature (Sem. 1 and 2, 1 hr. per week, counts 33% of the total mark of this module) Lecturers: Tina Pusse, Hans-Walter Schmidt-Hannisa, Michael Shields, Colm Whelan Course description: The aim of the course is to encourage students to read and study literature. It introduces relevant literary terms and presents short literary texts from different epochs and various genres such as poem, drama, anecdote and short story. The main focus of the course is on reading strategies and literary interpretation. The final course segment introduces students to film analysis and aims to convey awareness regarding approach and terminology while discussing outstanding examples from German film history. Language of instruction: English. Method of assessment and examination: Continuous assessment and an in-class-test at the end of each semester. Core texts: Chris Baldick, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms; handouts. GR 1102 Component: Skills for Studying German (Sem. 1; 1 hr. per week, counts 50% of the total mark of the module) Lecturers: Tina-Karen Pusse, Hans-Walter Schmidt-Hannisa, Michael Shields Course description: The course explores the basis for effective ways of studying in general and studying a foreign language specifically. Topics covered include individual learning techniques and self-motivational skills; group learning, efficient exam preparation, basics of German grammar terminology and phonetics; sentence analysis, retrieving and evaluating information as well as a brief introduction in the philosophy of human language. Continuous engagement with course materials through an online learning journal is essential in this class and will help to prepare for the end of term exam. Mode of assessment: Learning Journal (40%), In-class-test (60%) Learning Material: Handouts, videos, online articles, provided in class. 4

5 GR 1102 Component: A Brief Overview of Modern German History (Sem. 2; 1 hr. per week, counts 50% of the total mark of the module) Lecturer: Simone Klapper Course Description: The course will focus on 200 years of German history, starting with a French Emperor (Napoleon) invading and occupying German Lands in 1805/1806 and finishing with a reunited Republic of Germany, which is part of the European Union and has established a special partnership with its neighbour France. National ideas in all forms, both positive and negative, have always played a crucial role in the historical process leading from a political "Flickenteppich" (patchwork rug) to a democratic federal state and an economic superpower. Germany has regained its national self-confidence but at the same time continues being self-critical due to two World Wars caused by Germany in the first half of the 20th century. A focus of the course will be cultural developments in their political, social and economic contexts. Teaching and learning methods: A lecture supported by various visual and aural historical sources. In preparation for each session the students have to read a chapter from the core text (provided on Blackboard) and briefly answer questions. Assessment and examination: Homework and class-participation: 50%. In-class-test at the end of term: 50% Attendance is obligatory and counts towards assessment. Core Text: Mark Allinson: Germany and Austria Language of instruction: English 5

6 Appendix 1: CONTACTS DEPARTMENT OF GERMAN Arts Millennium Building National University of Ireland, Galway Head of Discipline: First year co-ordinator: Administrative Assistant: Administrative Queries: Professor Hans-Walter Schmidt-Hannisa Room AM 307 Tel: Fax Dr. Tina Pusse Room AM Ms. Geraldine Smyth Room AM 306 Tel: Ms. Geraldine Smyth Monday - Thursday 9.15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Consultation hours for all members of staff will be displayed on their office doors at the beginning of the Semester. Students are encouraged to come and discuss their studies with a staff member on an individual basis. Appendix 2: Marking Scheme Grade Percentage Honours standard A First Class Honours B Second Class Honours Grade 1 B Second Class Honours Grade II C Third Class Honours D Pass E 0-39 Fail 6

7 Appendix 3: Important Dates First Semester Start of Teaching Monday 5 th September, 2016 End of Teaching Saturday 26 th November, 2016 Study Week Monday 28 th November Saturday 3 rd December, 2016 Examinations Semester 1 Monday 5 th Friday 16 th December, 2016 Christmas Vacation Saturday 17 th December 2016 Sunday 8 th January, 2017 Second Semester Start of Teaching Monday 9 th January, 2017 End of Teaching Saturday 1 st April, 2017 Easter Holidays Monday 17 th Saturday 22 nd April, Study Week Monday 3 rd Saturday 8 th April, 2017 Examinations Semester 2 Monday 24 th April Wednesday 10 th May, 2017 Autumn Examinations Tuesday 8 th Friday 18 th August,