OVERVIEW

GERMAN SYNTAX

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

Learning target of the class is to reach the B1 level described in the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) in German language

- to know the structure German sentences and syntactic phrases

- to be able to operate syntactic analysis of simple and complex paratactic and hypotactic sentence constructions

- acquisition of knowledge about the main syntactical theories

- to have competence in analyzing syntactical structures taking into consideration contrastive aspects between German and Italian language

PREREQUISITES

Language level A2 in German language is required for participation.

TEACHING METHODS

The theory lectures (30 lessons, 2nd semester) will be accompanied during the whole academic year by practical language exercises (100 lessons, yearlong). Time schedules, programs, instructors and auditoriums of the language exercises will be published in Aulaweb and will be announced on the websites of the single instructors in September 2024. The language exercises include yearlong lessons in translation German-Italian / Italian-German (40 lessons). Lectures accompanied by language exercises.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

In the theory class students will familiarize with fundamental knowledge about syntax and lexis of the German language. During a general survey about the most important aspects of the structure of the German sentence special issues of the German sentence will be taken in consideration taking into account the structure of the Italian syntax. The linguistic terminology in German language and furthermore contrastive issues aiming on translation from German into Italian language and vice versa will be taken in consideration.

The practical language exercises which include translation exercises from Italian to German language and vice versa will bring the students from the A2 level to the B1 level according to the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEF), taking in account the four essential abilities (listening, reading, speaking, writing), as well as the scheduled grammar knowledge.

Not attending students: the program of the exams of the practical language exercises and of the theory class don’t differ from exams for students that take part in the lessons.

The program of the course is valid until February 2026 in accordance with the departmental regulation.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Modulo teorico / Theoretical module

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

Dürscheid, Christa: Syntax. Grundlagen und Theorien, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2012.

Pittner, Karin / Bermann, Judith: Deutsche Syntax. Ein Arbeitsbuch, Tübingen: Gunter Narr, 2004.

Tomaselli, Alessandra: Introduzione alla sintassi del tedesco, Bari: Edizioni B.A. Graphis, 2004.

Further bibliographical and didactic material will be provided during the semester (Aulaweb).

Applied module

Akademie Deutsch A2+ Intensivlehrwerk, Hueber Verlag  (ISBN 978-3-19-121650-4)
Akademie Deutsch A2+ Zusatzmaterialien, Hueber Verlag (ISBN 978-3-19-131650-1)
Akademie Deutsch B1+ Intensivlehrwerk, Hueber Verlag  (ISBN 978-3-19-141650-8)
Akademie Deutsch B1+ Zusatzmaterialien, Hueber Verlag (ISBN 978-3-19-151650-5)
Motta: Grammatik direkt neu, Loescher, ISBN 9788820136581

Further teaching material will be communicated at the beginning of the semester by the lecturers and in Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

JOACHIM HANS BERND GERDES (President)

SIMONA LEONARDI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theory module: 2nd semester, start:february 19, 2025, h 15-17, aula IV (Balbi 5)

february 20, 2025, h 13-14, aula 11 (AdP)

Language learning modules: 1st + 2nd term (start: 30 september 2023)

Class schedule

GERMAN LANGUAGE II

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The theory lessons will be concluded by a written 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 written 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 exam of the theory class on the homepage of the University of Genoa (www.unige.it) at the link „servizi online per gli studenti“.

Theory class: written exam (40% of the final mark)

Language exercises:

written exam (essay writing) +

written translation exam (Italian-German) +

written translation exam (German-Italian)+

oral exam

(average of the marks of the exercise exams: 60% of the final mark)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

In the written exam of the theory class students will give evidence of their knowledge of the basics of German syntax and of the general characteristics of the structure of the lexis of German language in order to be able to analyze parts of speech and the structure of sentences and syntagmata as well as to recognize semantic relationships between words and general aspects of German vocabulary. Assessment criteria are the correctness and completeness of the answers as well as the correct usage of linguistic terminology both in German and in English.

The written exams of the language exercises are designated to give proof of the knowledge of German language on B1 level regarding reading comprehension and written skills, as well as the familiarity with basic grammar. Assessment criteria are grammatical correctness, the ability to express oneself appropriately in a written exam as well as to understand a written text both globally and in detail. The oral exam is meant to examine the competence to understand listening exercises and to use the foreign language appropriately in a dialogue. Assessment criteria are the correct usage and interpretation of grammatical rules and vocabulary as far as requested for attaining the B1 level.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Target group: Mandatory modules for first year students of Modern Languages and Cultures (Lingue e Culture moderne) who have German as a main subject.

Credits: The entire course (theory class + language learning courses)  is credited with 9 credit points (CP / ECTS).

Language: 

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

Students with certified special educational needs (DSA)
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.