OVERVIEW

German as a Pluricentric language

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

9 CP / 8 CP = 'theoretical module' +  language learning courses

6 CP =  language learning courses

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

• present an overview of the geographical distribution of the German language in the world
• present the status of German in various countries (official language, co-official language, recognised minority language, etc.)
• present German as a pluricentric language, providing an overview of national and regional varieties
• provide the students with the essential scientific terminology related to the description and analysis of the diffusion of German in the world
• train to use online dictionaries and corpora.

The global aim of the language learning courses is to enable students to reach level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Aims of the language learning courses is to develop skills in phonetics, phonology, phonetic transcription, pronunciation, morphology of the German language.

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

• will have a comprehensive knowledge of the linguistic geography of the German-speaking area
• will have a comprehensive knowledge of the status of German in various countries (official language, co-official language, recognised minority language, etc.)
• will know the main features of the different national and regional varieties of German, in particular on the graphematic, phonetic, and lexical level.
• will know, understand and be able to use the essential scientific terminology and topic-related vocabulary, both in Italian and in German;
• will be able to use online dictionaries, corpora, and resources.

After successfully completing the language learning courses the students have active and passive language skills in the German language at level A2 of the CEFR.

Course attendance is not compulsory, but warmly recommended.

PREREQUISITES

none

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, 1st semester) is accompanied by year-round language learningcourses.

• Theory module 30 h (1st term) (Prof. Dr. Simona Leonardi). .
• Language learning courses: 1st term &  2nd term.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) "Theoretical module": The German-speaking world, with particular attention to the following points: diffusione of the German in the world; 'German' and 'German-speaking countries’; German as a pluricentric language; German as a national official language and as an official regional language; German as a minority language; German-speaking islands; diatopic variation.

The reflections on the diffusion of 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 A2 according to the European framework in all four abilities. 

Course attendance is not mandatory, but recommended.

According to University regulations, this syllabus is valid until February 2026.

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

Theory module

9 CP 

• Leonardi, Simona & Eva-Maria Thüne. mooc "il tedesco come lingua pluricentrica" https://lms.federica.eu/enrol/index.php?id=265
• Nied Curcio, Martina. 2016. La lingua tedesca. Aspetti linguistici tra contrastività e interculturalità. Roma: UniversItalia (Sezione III “Contatto – società – cultura”: chapter 6-7-8 = p. 223-322).

8 CP

• Leonardi, Simona & Eva-Maria Thüne. mooc "il tedesco come lingua pluricentrica" https://lms.federica.eu/enrol/index.php?id=265

6 CP 

• -- (only language courses)

Language courses

Beginners

1° semestre (indispensabile per poter frequentare le lezioni):

Akademie Deutsch A1+, Intensivlehrwerk, Hueber Verlag, ISBN 978-3-19-101650-0
Akademie Deutsch A1+, Zusatzmaterialien, Hueber Verlag, ISBN 978-3-19-111650-7

2° semestre  (indispensabile per poter frequentare le lezioni):

Akademie Deutsch A2+, Intensivlehrwerk, Hueber Verlag, ISBN 978-3-19-121650-4
Akademie Deutsch A2+, Zusatzmaterialien, Hueber Verlag, ISBN 978-3-19-131650-1

Link to the digital versione:
https://shop.hueber.de/de/reihen-und-lehrwerke/akademie-deutsch.html#
Link to the keys and audios
https://www.hueber.de/akademie-deutsch/lernen/materialien

Intermediate

Akademie Deutsch A1+, Intensivlehrwerk, Zusatzmaterialien, Hueber Verlag, ISBN 978-3-19-111650-7 (zur Wiederholung und Vertiefung)

Billina, Anneli, Susanne Geiger & Marion Techmer. 2018. Deutsch üben: Wortschatz & Grammatik B1. 1. Auflage. München: Hueber Verlag, ISBN 978-3-19-487493-0  

Akademie Deutsch A2+, Intensivlehrwerk, Kursbuch, Hueber Verlag, ISBN 978-3-19-121650-4

Akademie Deutsch A2+, Intensivlehrwerk, Zusatzmaterialien, Hueber Verlag, ISBN 978-3-19-131650-1

Link to the digital version:
https://shop.hueber.de/de/reihen-und-lehrwerke/akademie-deutsch.html#

Link to the keys and audios:
https://www.hueber.de/akademie-deutsch/lernen/materialien

Weitere Materialien werden in aulaweb hochgeladen.

Grammar course

recommended handbooks consigliate (not mandatory):

• Jin, Friederike & Ute Voß. 2017. Grammatik aktiv: verstehen, üben, sprechen: B2-C1 (Deutsch als Fremdsprache Grammatik aktiv). Berlin: Cornelsen – ISBN 978-03-122964-1

• Giorgio Motta: Grammatik direkt NEU. Grammatica tedesca con esercizi. Loescher Editore, 2014. (Grammatik+Lösungsheft) - ISBN 9788820136581  

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 (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theory module: 1st term  (Prof. Dr. Simona Leonardi)

start: 7th October, 2024

mon 14-15 (aula 15 AdP)
thu 12-14 (aula 15 AdP)

Language learning modules: 1st + 2nd term (start: October, 2024); 

Beginners – A-L (Rausch)

start: 30th September 2024

Mon, 5–6.30 p.m. (Aula E, Polo didattico)
Fri, 4–5.30 p.m. (Aula 18, Albergo dei Poveri)
 

Beginners – M-Z (Cramer/Eisen)

start: 1st October 2024

Tue 5-7 p.m. (Aula 11 Albergo dei Poveri, AdP)
Fri, 11.00-1 p.m. (Aula 11 AdP)

Advanced (Rausch)

start: 1st October 2024

Tue, 4-5:30 p.m. (Aula E, Polo Didattico) 
Fr, 11:15-12:45 (Aula 1, Albergo dei Poveri)

Grammar Beginners A-L (Rausch)

Start: 4th October 2024

Fri, 10:15-11:00 (Aula 11, Albergo dei Poveri)
 

Grammar – Beginners M-Z (Bergemann)

Start: 8th October 2024

Tue, 4-4:45, Aula 11 (Albergo dei Poveri)

Grammar – Advanced (Bergemann)

start: 30th September 2024

Mon, 5-6 p.m., Aula F
 

Class schedule

GERMAN LANGUAGE I

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 examination (essay) + written grammar examination + oral examination (= 60% of the final mark)

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Theory module: 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), link "servizi online per gli studenti“.

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 9/8/6 credit points (CP / ECTS).

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 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.