German III for Teacher Education Students

The aim of the course is for students to deepen both their language proficiency in German and their theoretical knowledge of German linguistics and literary studies, and also to develop their ability to work academically. An overall objective is for students to further develop independence in their studies and the ability to reflect on their own and others’ learning.

Modules

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• explain central concepts in linguistics, with an emphasis on syntax, morphology, semantics, and pragmatics
• apply linguistic methods and theories to analyse linguistic phenomena in authentic examples
• plan and carry out a small-scale field study
• discuss how linguistic structures and meanings influence communication, language learning, and language use in professional contexts
• demonstrate a high degree of independence and problem-solving ability when working with both practical and theoretical problems of varying complexity
• apply linguistic concepts and methods in didactic contexts, including the planning, implementation, and evaluation of language teaching in one’s own teaching.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• critically analyse literary and scholarly texts
• apply literary theories and concepts to fictional texts
• reflect on theoretical and practical learning processes in literary discussion
• demonstrate independence and a problem-solving ability, as well as familiarity with different types of literary texts.

On successful completion of the module, students will, in proficient German, be able to:

• independently and critically systematise, problematise, and reflect on previous research findings from linguistic, scholarly, or didactic perspectives
• formulate a problem statement and corresponding research questions based on previous research
• carry out an independent study within given time frames and in accordance with academic standards
• present and argue for their own results in both written and oral form, and respond to scholarly criticism in a professional and constructive manner
• analyse, evaluate, and discuss the academic work of others by providing constructive feedback on a fellow student’s work.

The course consists of three modules.

Modules

The module addresses syntax, morphology, semantics, and pragmatics as central parts of linguistics. Theoretical instruction is combined with practical components. A small-scale field study is conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of how linguistic theories can be not only applied in practice but also used to analyse and understand language use in everyday and professional contexts.

In the module, literary texts are studied and analysed with emphasis on works by German-language Nobel Prize laureates in literature, as well as texts that are significant to German-language literature for various reasons. In the literary analysis, strong emphasis is placed on genre-theoretical and narratological perspectives, as well as aspects such as intertextuality. In the module, students develop the ability to critically read and understand scholarly literature, become familiar with different methods in literary studies, and analyse and understand the relationship between society and literature, as well as literary production and reception. Throughout the semester, students analyse, based on scholarly literature, how learning processes in literary discussion can function.

In this module, students write an academic paper with a focus on linguistics, literary studies, or didactics. The focus and topic are selected in consultation with a supervisor. The paper is defended, and a fellow student’s academic work is critically reviewed at a defence seminar.

• Active participation in seminars
• Oral presentations
• Written assignments
• Completion of an academic paper
• Defence of the student’s own paper and public discussion and examination of a fellow student’s paper

The grading scale used for the final course grade is U–VG.

Grades are reported as follows:

• Introduction to German Linguistics - 7.5 Credits | U–VG
• Literature in German and Literary Theory - 7.5 Credits | U–VG
• Essay - 15 Credits | U–VG