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 (theoretical '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 theoretical '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

Theoretical 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.

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 2023.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Theoretical 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

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

Language learning modules

More information about this part will be communicated at the beginning of the semester by the lecturers and in Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SIMONA LEONARDI (President)

JOACHIM HANS BERND GERDES

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theoretical module: 30 hours, 2nd semester (February 2022). The courses scheduled for the 2nd semester 2021 are expected to take place regularly .

Language learning modules: 1st + 2nd semester:  October, 4th, 2021. In accordance with the public health measures designed to contain the COVID-19, in the 1st semester courses will be held remotely through the Teams and Aulaweb platforms. The courses scheduled for the 2nd semester 2022 are expected to take place regularly .

Schedule: see Aulaweb and website www.lingue.unige.it

Class schedule

GERMAN LANGUAGE I

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Theory class:

written exam (50% del final mark)

Language exercises:

1st year

written exam (essay writing) +

written translation exam (German-Italian)+

oral exam

2nd year

written exam (essay writing) +

oral exam

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

Attention: The modalities of the exams can be changed because of adjustments due to anti-covid security measures.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The theory lessons will be concluded by an oral exam in which the arguments treated during the class will be asked about. The languages classes will be completed by written exams and an oral exam. During the oral exam at the end of the theory class the students have to provide evidence of their profound knowledge of the arguments dealt with during the lessons, the designed texts and the materials published in Aulaweb.

Inscription for the exams on the homepage of the University of Genoa (www.unige.it) at the link „servizi online per gli studenti“.

Exam schedule

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.

Languages

Lessons will be held in German language.