GERM 4001 - Honours German Language

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

The course aims to build on the language and learning skills acquired in levels 1-3 of the German Studies major. Through a range of tasks including the discussion of contemporary issues, textual analysis, translation and advanced grammar, it focuses on developing a more sophisticated understanding of German society, culture and language and on the development of higher order spoken and written expression. The course aims to provide students with the level of language competence they will require to write a 12,000 word Honours thesis in German.

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Course Details

Course Code	GERM 4001
Course	Honours German Language
Coordinating Unit	European Languages, and Linguistics
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 2 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	Completed degree (72 units) including 24 units German Studies major or completed Diploma of Languages
Assessment	Class test in German (20%), Semester test in German (35%), oral presentation in German (10%), oral test in German (15%), take home work (20%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Stefan Hajduk

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

To further develop advanced skills in speaking, writing and understanding contemporary German.
To further develop the ability to communicate effectively in German in a variety of circumstances and for academic purposes at an advanced level.
To gain further knowledge of the culture and society of contemporary German-speaking countries.
To develop an awareness of cultural differences and the ability to reflect on oneself and one’s own culture from the point of view of another culture.
To make effective use of reference resources related to German and German Studies, particularly dictionaries, grammars, authentic texts, culture-historical materials and electronic resources.
To extract, synthesise and critically evaluate information from written and spoken sources in German and to organise and present the material in a clear, effective and timely manner.
To provide an excellent foundation for further study and research in German language, literature and culture and for travel, study or work in a German-speaking environment.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	3, 5, 6, 7
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	4, 6, 7
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1, 2, 4, 7

Learning Resources

Required Resources

The grammar reference Dreyer, Schmitt. Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch der deutschen Grammatik aktuell (Hueber).
Students should ensure that they have access to a good German dictionary. Check this site to see what is available: http://www.germanprofessor.org/dictionaries/

Online Learning

For a list of online resources click on Library – Resource Guides – German Studies Resources.
Lecture materials and recordings as well as resources such as announcements, discussion boards or external web-links will be available online via Canvas. For a list of further online resources click on Library – Resource Guides – German Studies Resources.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The modes of teaching and learning employed in the course are largely classroom-based and face-to-face, but also include e-learning forms such as discussion boards, blogs, or journals:
1) a lecture which will provide the linguistic, historical and social context for the texts on the course
2) a seminar based on the various texts on the course and the issues they raise, which will give students the opportunity to study topics in more detail and more depth.

Students are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their learning through:
1) independent personal study
2) independent e-learning
3) online access to lecture materials, recordings and other resources such as discussion boards, blogs, journals or external web-links.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Workload	Total hours
1 X 1-hour lecture per week (recommended)	12 hours per semester
1 X 2-hour seminar per week	24 hours per semester
5 hours preparation for seminar per week	60 hours per semester
8 hours reading per week	96 hours per semester
10 hours research for presentation & assignments	120 hours per semester
	TOTAL = 312 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

Students will be provided with a detailed course outline at the beginning of the semester.

Specific Course Requirements

Lecture – Attendance is recommended.

Seminar – Participation in the seminar is important. You should provide a reason if you are going to be absent.

Students who require alternative arrangements for assessment or extensions for assignments must notify staff before the due date and must provide evidence that they have legitimate medical or compassionate grounds for their request.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Seminar presentation, minor research project, written response, major research project (including 'journals' on MyUni).
Assignment will include:
an oral presentation,
a minor research project (Seminar paper based on the Referat),
a written response, and
a major research assignment.

ASSESSMENT TASK	TASK TYPE	WEIGHTING	COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
oral presenation	formative and summative	20%	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
minor research project	summative and formative	30%	1, 2, 4, 6, 7
written response	summative	10%	1, 2, 4, 6, 7
major research assignment	formative and summative	40%	1, 2, 3, 6, 7

Assessment Related Requirements

Lecture – students are expected to attend all classes, but if they are unable to attend the lecture, it is students’ responsibility to contact their lecturer or course coordinator about their absence and to ensure that they get any material that may have been handed out in the lecture missed.

Seminar – as a mark will be given for participation and performance, attendance is compulsory. Students who are obliged to miss the seminar must provide a reason.

Students who require alternative arrangements for assessment or extensions for assignments must notify staff before the due date and must provide evidence that they have legitimate medical or compassionate grounds for their request.

Assessment Detail

The oral presentation in the seminar gives students the opportunity to explore a topic they are interested in and also to practise presenting material in a different format. The presentation should be approx. 15 minutes long and directly related to the themes of the seminar. Material should be provided in a way that makes it accessible and interesting to other members of the seminar.

The seminar presentation is the point of departure for a seminar paper which should add some new aspects, and develop from it an interpretative perspective on the text, e.g. a Märchen. The seminar paper will be assessed on demonstrated knowledge of the primary sources, appropriate use of secondary sources and correct referencing, a well-structured and independent argument and a clear and reasonably sophisticated language.

Minor written responses/homework requires students to answer a given question related to the topics of the lecture and/or the seminar and develop their language skills in German.
Participation is based on preparation of the week’s material including online resources (discussion boards, blogs, journals or wikis) and participation i.e. active contribution and engagement with other members of the group.

The major research project is designed to enable students to explore a particular topic in more depth and practise presenting the material in a written format. Students will be assessed on their selection and organisation of materials (shown in blogs or journals in MyUni), their knowledge of the topic, their critical engagement with secondary sources on the topic and their ability to develop and express their own point of view. It should be correctly referenced, have a clear structure and be presented in an appropriate register.

Submission

Details will be provided in the Course Outline that students receive at the beginning of the semester.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator