GERMAN 392 : Special Topic: Topics in German Culture and Language

Arts

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A critical exploration of important issues in German Studies. The first part investigates German language studies, including the specifics of written and oral German, contrastive linguistics, dialects and varieties, German as a minority language (including in the South Pacific), youth language, and German online-communication. The second part examines modern German social and cultural history through works of literature and film.

Course Overview

In the first part, we investigate German language studies, including the specifics of written and oral German, contrastive linguistics, dialects and varieties, German as a minority language (including in the South Pacific), youth language, and German online-communication.

In the second part of the course, we will explore important cultural, social and political issues within the German speaking world through the medium of plays, novels and films. Students will be encouraged to examine these media during interactive in-class discussions and by completing a research assignment. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: GERMAN 201 Restriction: GERMAN 202

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Be acquainted with some of the best known examples of German-language literature and film (Capability 1.1)
  2. Learn about the historical, social and political context in which these works were created (Capability 1.3 and 6.1)
  3. Acquire basic skills in textual analysis, bibliographic research, and critical discourse. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 2.3)
  4. Lead and participate in group discussions around a specific linguistic or cultural topic (Capability 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 6.1 and 6.2)
  5. Prepare a professionally presented research assignment that draws on quality scholarship in the field (Capability 1.3, 2.3, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
  6. Use and improve your German skills to engage with linguistic phenomena, films and literary texts. (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  7. Become more confident with using your German in an academic context. (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  8. Understand and apply basic research methods in German language studies. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 2.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework (details to be advised) 100% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of "lectures" (whole group classes) and a 1 hour tutorial. You will also be expected to spend up to 7 hours per week reading and thinking about the content and working on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes: 

  • The campus experience is for students in Auckland
  • The online course is available for distance learners including students at Victoria University Wellington - Te Herenga Waka. 

Campus Experience

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities will not be available as recordings.

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials  to receive credit for components of the course.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. 

Online

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities will not be available as recordings.

Attendance is required at scheduled online activities including tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.

This course runs to the University timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

First time taught

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 11/11/2022 10:39 a.m.