SFT22018 German in Contrast (Autumn 2021)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Elective course in the extension course in German.

One out of two obligatory subjects for students in the Bachelor's Programme in Languages, German extension course

Lecture Semester

Extension Course in German: 1st semester (fall).

Bachelor's Programme in Languages, German extension course: 5th semester (fall).

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

• can use grammatical literature to find information on selected topics in German grammar

• 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 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. In grammar special attention is given to the use of grammatical literature in writing assignments based on authentic linguistic material. The teaching is partly organised in seminars involving a high degree of practical work on language and texts, and exercises in connection with relevant specialist literature. Each student is required to keep their webcamera and microphone turned on when participating in online classes.

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, 5 hours (50 %)

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

The reading list is last updated 02.03.2020

Grammar

The subjunctive:

Excerpts from

• Götze & Hess-Lüttich: Grammatik der deutschen Sprache, München 1999.
• Sommerfeldt & Starke: Einführung in die Grammatik der deutschen Gegenwartssprache, Tübingen 1998.

​Valency and sentence structure:

Excerpts from 

• Kalevi Tarvainen: Kontrastive Syntax Deutsch-Finnisch, Heidelberg 1985
• Klaus M. Welke: Einführung in die Valenz- und Kasustheorie, Leipzig 1988
• Helbig & Schenkel: Wörterbuch zur Valenz und Distribution deutscher Verben, Tübingen 1988
• Ulrich Engel: Deutsche Grammatik, Heidelberg 1991

Word order:

Frode Lundemo: Hauptzüge der Satzgliedstellung im Deutschen

Ulrich Engel: Deutsche Grammatik, Heidelberg 1991.

At the beginning of term, the lecturer will inform the students about relevant excerpts, hence students do not have to acquire the course literature beforehand.

Language history:

A relevant reading list is posted on the learning platform.

Written language skills

• Kåre Solfjeld: Om autentiske oversettelser tysk-norsk (2020).

Practice texts and background material are posted on the learning platform.