GERM 3204 - German IIIB: Language

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

Building on the language sections of German IIIA, this course is aimed to further develop students' proficiency in the four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - through a combination of readings and reproductive and creative exercises. It also aims to enhance students' intercultural understanding through the use of authentic texts that focus on aspects of contemporary society in German-speaking countries and promote comparison and discussion.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GERM 3204
    Course German IIIB: Language
    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 3203 or equivalent
    Course Description Building on the language sections of German IIIA, this course is aimed to further develop students' proficiency in the four language skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - through a combination of readings and reproductive and creative exercises. It also aims to enhance students' intercultural understanding through the use of authentic texts that focus on aspects of contemporary society in German-speaking countries and promote comparison and discussion.
    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 will have:
    1) a language proficiency in German corresponding to Level B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages
    2) a deeper knowledge and understanding of the structure and conventions governing the use of German and an ability to use them to communicate effectively in an extended range of situations and for an extended range of purposes.
    3) a deeper knowledge and critical understanding of aspects of German culture and society and the way in which they are represented
    4) the ability to make effective use of the available resources for German and German Studies to answer more complex questions and explore more complex problems relating to German language, society and culture
    5) the ability to communicate information and ideas in the target language coherently, with a degree of fluency and reasonably accurately
    6) an awareness of social and cultural issues in German-speaking contexts and an appreciation of their wider impact
    7) the ability ot work independently and cooperatively to explore issues relating to German language, society and culture in greater depth
    8) a very good foundation for further study and research in German language and culture 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, 2, 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
    3, 7
    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
    2, 7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-8
    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
    6
    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
    6, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Koithan, Ute et. al., Aspekte neu B2 (Langenscheidt)
    You need to have 1) Lehrbuch mit DVD 2) Arbeitsbuch mit Audio-CD

    We will start work with this text and associated materials straight away so it is important that you purchase it before the beginning of the semester. You will be using it in both German IIIA & German IIIB Language.


    Recommended Resources
    Students should ensure that they have access to a good German dictionary. Check this site to see what is available: http://www.germanprofessor.org/dictionaries/
    Online Learning
    Aspekte online materails are avaialble at:
    http://xportal.klett-sprachen.de/aspekte2/

    For a list of online resources see also Library – Resource Guides – German Studies Resources.
  • 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 language workshop designed to extend students’ comprehension, their command of written German and their understanding of German grammar and its application

    2) a conversation tutorial designed to enable students to increase their vocabulary on the topics treated in the language workshop, to practise speaking German and to develop their active command of the spoken language
     
    Students are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their learning through:
    1) independent personal study
    2) independent computer-based learning
    3) online access to other resources
    Workload

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

    3 contact hours 36 hours per semester
    4 hours homework & test preparation 48 hours per semester
    3 hours vocab learning & oral & listening practice 36 hours per semester
    3 hours revision, reading & other independent work 36 hours per semester
    Total 156 hours per semester

    If you want to be successful in improving your language skills then you need to take the time regularly to revise, practise, prepare, learn vocab etc. outside class time.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Students will be provided with a detailed course outline at the beginning of the semester.
    Small Group Discovery Experience

    Students will be given the opportunity to work independently and cooperatively to explore questions and issues that arise in the course and to embark on their own quest to discover more about aspects of contemporary Germany and the German language.
  • 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
    Regular assessments and tests, conversation tutorial (participation, performance, oral exam or equivalent), end-of-semester test.
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Students are expected to attend all classes. In all cases, it is students’ responsibility to contact lecturers/coordinators about any absence and to ensure that they obtain any material handed out in classes missed. Please remember to check your Adelaide student email regularly for reminders and updates.

    Students who require alternative arrangements for tests must notify staff at least 4 weeks in advance. Students who require an extension must notify staff before the due date and must provide evidence that they have legitimate medical or compassionate grounds for the request.
    Assessment Detail
    Assesment Task Task Type Weighting Coure Learning Outcome/s
    Homework Formative & Summative 15% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Class Test Formative & Summative 20% 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8
    Semester Test Summative 40% 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8
    Tutorial - Participation & Performance Formative & Summative 10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Oral & Written Responses Summative 10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Vocab Tests Formative & Summative 5% 1, 2, 5, 8
    Submission
    Information will be provided in the detailed Course Outline students receive at the beginning of the semester.

    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
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.