OVERVIEW

German Syntax: An Introduction

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with a expert of a number of aspects of German linguistics, enabling them also to think critically about and describe the metalinguistic factors at play in language use

Language classes aim to improve students’ linguistic competence

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims of the course ('theory module') are:

• develop metalinguistic skills
• provide the basic categories of the syntactic description of German
• present the essential scientific terminology of the German syntactic analysis
• know how to use linguistic and terminological databases, grammars and online dictionaries.

The global aim of the language learning courses is to enable students to reach level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

At the end of the course ('theory module') the students

• will be able to identify the structure of the German sentences and their constituents
• will be able to carry out a syntactic analysis of paratactic and hypotactic sentences
• will know the basics of the topological field model
• can orientate themselves properly within the Satzbaupläne
• must know, understand and be able to use properly the basic categories of the syntactic description of the German language, also cross-linguistically German–Italian
• must know, understand and be able to use properly the essential scientific terminology in the areas discussed, both in Italian and in German;
• will know how to use linguistic and terminological databases, grammars and online dictionaries.

Course attendance is not mandatory, but recommended.

PREREQUISITES

Students must demonstrate a A2 level of language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

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 (theory 'module') various exercises will be assigned with the aim of gradually checking the knowledge acquired. 

The "theory module" (36 h, 2nd semester) is accompanied by year-round language learning courses (160 h).

• Theory module: 36 h (2nd semester) (Prof. Dr. Simona Leonardi).
• Language learning courses: 1st & 2nd semester

Time schedules, programs, instructors and auditoriums of the language classes will be published in Aulaweb and will be announced on the websites of the instructors in September 2023. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Theory 'module': introduction to the syntax of the German language, with particular attention to the following elements: structure of the German sentence; constituents and their analysis; cases and semantic roles; topological field model and information structure; valency and Satzbaupläne. Syntactic and terminological databases; online grammars; constrastive syntax (German vs Italian).

The metalinguistic reflections on the linguistic structures of the German language will be integrated with textual examples from various genres as well as with multimedia materials.

2) Language learning courses: Over the two semesters period students’ knowledge of German should reach level B1 according to the European framework in all four abilities. 

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

Non-attending students

For non-attending students, the same syllabus applies; non-attending students should contact the lecturers at the beginning of the course for guidance on course activities and for clarification of the syllabus.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Modulo teorico / Theoretical module

• Blühdorn, Hardarik / Foschi Albert, Marina: Leggere e comprendere il tedesco. Manuale per studenti e docenti in formazione, Pisa: Pisa University Press, 2014.
• Habermann, Mechthild / Gabriele Diewald / Maria Thurmair. 2015. Fit für das Bacherlorstudium. Grundwissen Grammatik. Mannheim u.a. Dudenverlag
• Leibniz-Institut für Deutsche Sprache: "Propädeutische Grammatik". Grammatisches Informationssystem grammis. DOI: 10.14618/programm Permalink: https://grammis.ids-mannheim.de/progr@mm 

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

Di Meola, Claudio: La linguistica tedesca, Roma: Bulzoni, 2014.

Language classes

Bibliographic and didactic resources will be provided at the beginning of the semester by the lecturers.

Non-attending students

For non-attending students, the same syllabus applies; non-attending students should contact the lecturers at the beginning of the course for guidance on course activities and for clarification of the syllabus.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SIMONA LEONARDI (President)

JOACHIM HANS BERND GERDES

SERENA SPAZZARINI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theory module: 36 h, 2nd term, start February, 2024

Language learning courses: 1st & 2nd term

Class schedule

GERMAN LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION II

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Theory class: During the course verification of the learning process through tests and quizzes; written examination

 (= 40% of the final mark)

Language learning courses: 

written exam (essay writing) +

written translation exam (Italian-German) +

written translation exam (German-Italian)+

oral exam

 (= 60% of the final mark)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Theory module: During the course verification of the learning process through tests and quizzes; the theory lessons will be concluded by a written exam in which the arguments discussed during the course will be asked about. During the examination of the theoretical 'module', the students have to provide evidence of their knowledge of the themes dealt with during the lessons, the related texts, and the materials published in Aulaweb. The assessment will take into account a) knowledge of the course content; b) 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.

Assessment system

The assessment is graded according to the following evaluation system for lowest and highest marks:
* 18/30: lowest postive 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), the link "servizi online per gli studenti“.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Target group

The exam is obligatory for students in the second year of the course of studies in Theories and techniques of language mediation.

Credits

The total exam consisting in theory class and language exercises is equivalent to 12 credit points.

Languages

Lessons will be held in Italian and German language.

Students with certifications:

Students with certification of learning or other disabilities should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course in order to make arrangements for possible accommodations.