OVERVIEW

Language change and variation in contemporary German

The course is a 9-credits-course  consisting  of

• a theoretical module (30 h, held in the 2nd semester) dealing with language change and variation in contermporary German;
• language courses (160 h), whose aim is to develop oral and written competence in the German language.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module intends to

• provide students with the theoretical and methodological tools to analyze the German language in its complexity and variety;
• bring students to the C1.2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Theory module

• Develop metalinguistic reflection on variational issues;
• Develop metalinguistic reflection on the features of the “language of immediacy” and “language of distance” as described in the model proposed by Koch & Oesterreicher.
• The use of glossaries and terminology databases, monolingual and multilingual reference works, corpora, language atlases, and online dictionaries are intended to build and expand metalinguistic skills.

At the end of the course, the students

• have in-depth knowledge of patterns of variation and change in German;
• have in-depth knowledge of the model developed by Koch & Oesterreicher;
• have the ability to apply the acquired skills to the translation of marked oral, written and multimedia texts;
• are able to present, comment, and evaluate in German their own analysis of selected issues;
• have developed skills in the use of language databases, mono- and multilingual reference works, terminology databases, and online dictionaries.

Language learning modules

The courses aim to enable students to reach level C1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

After successfully completing the language learning courses the students have active and passive language skills in the German language at level C1 of the CEFR.

PREREQUISITES

Language level B2 (1st year) / C1.1 (2nd year) in German language is required for participation.

TEACHING METHODS

The course (theory 'module') will combine various modes, mainly frontal lecturing, flipped classroom, and blended learning; PPT presentations and multimedia will be used. During the course (theoretical 'module') various exercises will be assigned with the aim of gradually checking the knowledge acquired. 

The theory 'module' (30 h, 2nd semester) is accompanied by year-round language learning courses.

Language learning modules: (80 h, yearlong); include yearlong lessons in translation (40 h).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Theory module

• Introduction to the concepts of linguistic 'variation' and 'variety';
• Introduction to the concepts of 'written language' and 'spoken language', ‘literacy‘ and 'orality', 'language of immediacy and 'language of distance' (model developed by Koch & Oesterreicher).
• Reflections on the linguistic and textual features linked to the parameters 'language of immediacy' and 'language of distance' as well as their translatability will be integrated with examples from various text types.
• Introduction to the basic textlinguistic concepts of textuality, such as text grammar, text semantics, text functions. For a better understanding of certain text types, semantic, pragmatic and semiotic aspects are also dealt with.

Language learning modules

• The practical language modules which include translation exercises will bring the students from B2 level to C1.1 level (1st year) and from C1.1 level to C1.2 level (2nd year) according to the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEF).

According to University regulations, this syllabus is valid until February 2025.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Theory module

• Koch, Peter / Wulf Oesterreicher. 1985. Sprache der Nähe – Sprache der Distanz: Mündlichkeit und Schriftlichkeit im Spannungsfeld von Sprachtheorie und Sprachgeschichte. In: Romanistisches Jahrbuch 36, 15–43

• Plewnia, Albrecht / Andreas Witt (eds.). 2014. Sprachverfall? Dynamik, Wandel, Variation (Institut Für Deutsche Sprache Jahrbuch 2013). Berlin: De Gruyter, selection

• Schwitalla, Johannes. 2011. Gesprochenes Deutsch. Eine Einführung, Berlin: Erich Schmidt.

• Stevenson, Patrick / Kristine Horner / Nils Langer Gertrud Reershemius. 2018. The German Speaking World. A Practical Introduction to Sociolinguistic Issues, London: Routledge, selection

• Wildfeuer, Janina. 2013. “Der Film als Text? Ein Definitionsversuch aus linguistischer Sicht”. In John Bateman / Matthis Kepser / Markus Kuhn (eds.), Film, Text, Kultur: Beiträge zur Textualität des Films, Marburg: Schüren, 32-57.

• Wildfeuer, Janina/John A. Bateman. (eds.). 2017. Film Text Analysis. New Perspectives on the Analysis of Filmic Meaning. New York/Abingdon: Routledge

Further bibliographic and didactic resources will be provided during the semester (Aulaweb).

Language learning modules:

Teaching resources will be provided at the beginning of the semester by the instructors via Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theoretical module: 30 hours, 2nd semester (February 2025). 

Language learning modules: 1st + 2nd semester:  October, 2023.

Class schedule

GERMAN LANGUAGE II

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Theory module: During the course verification of the learning process through tests and quizzes + written examination, in which the arguments treated during the class will be asked about + PPT presentation + oral examination.

The final examination will consist of a written examination + oral commentary on the PPT presentation. During the written examination of the theoretical 'module', knowledge of the course content will be tested. 

The final assessment will take into account a) the PPT presentation (previously sent to the lecturer); b) the adequacy of the bibliography accompanying the presentation; c) the knowledge of the course contents (written examination/presentazion); d) familiarity with the the readings discussed during the course and with the materials made available on the Aulaweb platform.

The languages learning courses will be completed by written examinations and an oral examination.

written exam (essay writing) +

oral exam

(average of the marks of the exercise exams: 50% of the final mark)

Registration for the exam of the theory class on the homepage of the University of Genoa (www.unige.it) > link „servizi online per gli studenti“ and for the exams of the applied modules in Aulaweb.

The program of the course is valid until February 2025 in accordance to the departmental regulation.

Students who do not attend the lessons or attend only sporadically are kindly requested to ask in good time (at least one month prior to the date chosen for the examination) for a meeting during office hours or by appointment (that can take place also online), in order to discuss the various points of the syllabus (which is the same as the syllabus for students who attend lessons regularly).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Theory module

During the course verification of the learning process through tests and quizzes + written examination, in which the arguments treated during the class will be asked about + PPT presentation + oral examination

The final assessment will take into account a) the PPT presentation (previously sent to the lecturer); b) the adequacy of the bibliography accompanying the presentation; c) the knowledge of the course contents (written examination/presentazion); d) familiarity with the the readings discussed during the course and with the materials made available on the Aulaweb platform.

Assessment system

The assessment is graded according to the following evaluation system for lowest and highest marks:
* 18/30: lowest positive grade.
* 30/30: highest positive grade
* 30/30 cum laude: highest positive grade. excellent performance.

Registering for the examinations on the homepage of the University of Genoa (www.unige.it), link "servizi online per gli studenti“.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Target group

The exam is obligatory for students in the first and in the second year of the master course in "Modern Languages and Literatures for cultural Services" LM 37/38

Credits

The total exam consisting in theory class and language exercises is equivalent to 9 credit points.

Language: 

• Theory class: Lessons will be held mainly in Italian.
• Language learning courses: Lessons will be held mainly in German.

Students with certified special educational needs (DSA)
Students with certified special educational needs (DSA), such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, are invited to contact the lecturers, as well as to familiarise with the services (e.g. “ufficio disabilità  e DSA”) the University provides to support them.