SFT22018 German in Contrast (Autumn 2018)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Elective course in the Extension Course in German. The course can be included as part of the Bachelor's Programme in Society, Language and Culture.

Lecture Semester

Extension Course in German: First semester (autumn).
Bachelor's Programme in Society, Language and Culture: Third or fifth semester (autumn).

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

The student

• has insight into selected aspects of the grammatical rules, such as word order, sentence and clause structures
• has greater insight into modern usage of German and into the structure and usage contrasts between modern German and Norwegian
• is aware of important aspects of the history of the German language and can place the grammatical topics covered in a diachronic context

Skills

The student

• is capable, through insight into the grammatical rules and their diachronic aspects, of using the language in a more functional manner and thus of producing high-quality texts
• has developed greater skill in understanding German texts and practice in translation strategies

General competence

The student

• has increased his/her understanding of language structures and language functions, and has thus acquired greater competence in using texts for different purposes and in translation strategies
• understands that language is subject to constant change

Content

Selected grammatical topics are primarily covered by writing assignments under supervision. An introduction is provided to fundamental aspects of the history of the German language.
The exercises given in connection with written language skills are mainly in functional translation from Norwegian into German and from German into Norwegian.

Forms of teaching and learning

Teaching is provided through the German programmes' website (deutsch.hiof.no) and on the university college's learning platform. The subject matter is presented here, and we expect the students to actively participate in discussions and other web-based activities on the topics. The teaching is organised in seminars involving a high degree of practical work on language and texts, and exercises in connection with relevant specialist literature.

Workload

Approx. 280 hours.

Examination

Portfolio assessment and written exam

Exam part 1: Portfolio assessment (50 %)

Three individual grammar assignments to be submitted by stipulated deadlines.

Exam part 2: Written exam (50 %, 5 hours)

The students will be tested in written language skills and language history. The exam paper includes one translation from Norwegian into German and one translation from German into Norwegian. It contains two to four questions on language history. No aids are permitted.

As a rule, the written exam is held on campus. Students who wish to sit the written exam at another approved location must apply to do so on a prescribed form.

Students must pass both parts of the exam. One overall grade is awarded. Grade scale A– F.

Examiners

One external and one internal examiner or two internal examiners.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

If the candidate does not pass one part of the exam, he/she can retake the part he/she has failed. Appeals can be submitted for the grade awarded in the separate exam parts. In the event of a different grade being awarded, the exam parts will be recombined into one grade.

Course evaluation

Feedback from our students is vital in order for us to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programmes. The following forms of evaluation are used for this course:

• mid-term evaluation
• continuous/final evaluation

The results are considered by:

• lecturer groups
• the programme coordinator
• the local programme committee

Literature

Grammar

Topics

• the subjunctive
• valency and sentence structure
• word order

A relevant reading list for these topics and for language history is posted on the deutsch.hiof.no website.

Written language skills

Practice texts and background material is posted on the deutsch.hiof.no website.