GERM 4005B - Honours German Studies Thesis B

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Because it gives students the opportunity to follow their interests and develop their research skills, the thesis is the key to a successful Honours year and prepares students for further research in German language and culture should they wish to continue to the higher degrees, ie the MA or the PhD. The thesis provides students with the opportunity to explore an area of German language or culture which particularly interests them. Students are required to devise and produce a thesis, to explore available resources on and relevant theoretical approaches to their chosen topic, to engage critically with primary and secondary material and to complete their project within a specified time frame. The thesis component of the Honours program is designed to prepare students for further research in German language and culture should they wish to continue to do higher degrees.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GERM 4005B
    Course Honours German Studies Thesis B
    Coordinating Unit European Languages, and Linguistics
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 12
    Contact 1 hour per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites GERM 4005A in previous Semester. Completed degree (72 units) including 24 units German Studies Major or equivalent
    Course Description Because it gives students the opportunity to follow their interests and develop their research skills, the thesis is the key to a successful Honours year and prepares students for further research in German language and culture should they wish to continue to the higher degrees, ie the MA or the PhD. The thesis provides students with the opportunity to explore an area of German language or culture which particularly interests them. Students are required to devise and produce a thesis, to explore available resources on and relevant theoretical approaches to their chosen topic, to engage critically with primary and secondary material and to complete their project within a specified time frame. The thesis component of the Honours program is designed to prepare students for further research in German language and culture should they wish to continue to do higher degrees.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Stefan Hajduk

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Design a research project that can be completed within a specified time period.
    2. Complete a literature review to a high standard.
    3. Identify key theoretical and conceptual works in order to critically analyse a topic.
    4. Articulate a clear, substantiated and theoretically-informed argument in a dissertation.
    5. Put their research into a broader context which may include global, cultural and ethical issues as well as literary and media-historical perspectives.
    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.

    1, 2, 5

    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.

    1, 2, 5

    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.

    5

    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.

    4, 5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2

    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.

    4
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    All teaching in this course takes place face-to-face.
    Workload

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

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


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

    Each week, students will complete a series of learning, reading and writing activities before meeting with their supervisor:

    3 hours of online research per week: 36 hours per semester
    6 hours of writing per week: 72 hours per semester
    4 hours reading per week: 48 hours per semester


    TOTAL WORKLOAD: 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Reading, writing, and listening activities
    Resumes of journal articles, book sections, books
    Sample writing of academic dissertations
  • 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 item / Value / Course Learning Outcomes
    1. 12,000 word thesis in German (option of 15,000 words in English for students enrolling from Beginners Stream)
    2. Oral thesis presentation of 30 minutes, in German
    Assessment Detail
    1. 12,000 word thesis in German (option of 15,000 words in English for students enrolling from Beginners Stream)
    2. Oral thesis presentation of 30 minutes, in German
    Submission
    Work may be submitted in hard copy or uploaded via MyUni.
    Course Grading

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

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported 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
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