GERM 3224 - German IIIB: Culture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019

The aim of this course is to develop students' understanding and critical appreciation of German culture through the study of texts, written and visual, in the framework of their social and historical context. Students will not only develop their cultural understanding, but also their reading and analytical skills and their language proficiency. For details of course content, students should consult the web or the Department handbook.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GERM 3224
    Course German IIIB: Culture
    Coordinating Unit German Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites GERM 2204 or equivalent
    Course Description The aim of this course is to develop students' understanding and critical appreciation of German culture through the study of texts, written and visual, in the framework of their social and historical context. Students will not only develop their cultural understanding, but also their reading and analytical skills and their language proficiency. For details of course content, students should consult the web or the Department handbook.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Simon Walsh

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students:
    1) will have a greater knowledge of German history and culture from the nineteenth century to the present
    2) will be able to extract, synthesise and critically evaluate information from primary and secondary sources relating to topics treated in the course
    3) will have the ability to work independently and cooperatively to further their understanding of German society, culture and language
    4) will be able to communicate information, ideas and arguments about topics treated in the course cogently and coherently in German
    5) be able to identify ethical, social and cultural issues raised by the texts and interpret them within their social and cultural context
    6) will have a very good basis for futher study and research in German Studies, 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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3, 5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3, 4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3, 4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There will be a reader for this course that can be purchased from Image & Copy at the beginning of the semester.
    Recommended Resources
    A list of recommended references will be provided in the detailed Course Outline that students receive at the beginning of the semester. Additional references will be provided in the course of the semester where relevant.
    Online Learning
    For a list of online resources click on Library – Resource Guides – German Studies Resources. Lecture materials will be available online via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
      
    The modes of teaching and learning employed in the course are largely classroom-based and face-to-face. They include:
    1) a lecture which will provide the 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 and other resources
    Workload

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

    1x1-hour lecture per week = 12 hours per semester
    1x2-hour seminar per week = 24 hours per semester
    2 hours preparation for seminar per week = 24 hours per semester
    3 hours reading/viewing per week = 36 hours per semester
    5 hours research for presentation & assignments = 60 hours per semester
    = 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Students will be provided with a detailed course outline at the beginning of the semester.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Hurdle requirement
    Students who do not meet the following requirement will be awarded a grade of Fail for the course:
    - a minimum of 75% attendance in all classes.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    In the seminar students will be given the opportunity to work independently and cooperatively to explore topics and issues that particularly interest them and to embark on their own quest to discover more about German culture and society, past and present.
  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Course learning Outcome/s
    Participation/preparation
    Written responses
    Formative & Summative 15% 1, 4, 5, 6
    Oral Presentation Summative 20% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Minor Research Project Formative & Summative 25% 1, 2, 3, , 4, 5
    Major Reasearch Project Summative 40% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Seminar presentation, written responses & seminar participation, minor research project, major research project.
    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. 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.
    Seminar – Participation in the seminar is obligatory. You should provide a reason if you are going to be absent.
    Assessment Detail
    Seminar:
    The oral presentation 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. 10 minutes long and directly related to the themes of the seminar. Material should be provided in a way that makes it accessible and interesting toother members of the seminar.
    Like the oral presentation, the minor research assignment (800 words) gives the students the opportunity to explore a topic in more detail and practise presenting the material in a writen format in German. It should be correctly referenced, have a clear structure and be presented in an appropriate register.
    Participation is based on preparation of the week’s material and participation i.e. active contribution and engagement with
    other members of the group.
    Shorter written responses give students the opportunity to respond to issues raised in the seminar and develop their
    language skills in German.
    Lecture:
    The major research assignment (2000-2500 words) is the major summative assessment for this course. It is designed to enable students to explore a particular topic in more depth. Students will be assessed on 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.





    Submission

    Details will be provided in the Course Profile.

    Course Grading

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

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    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
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