OVERVIEW

Text- und Gesprächsanalyse 

Textual and Conversation Analysis: an introduction

The course is a 9-credits-course  consisting  of

• a theoretical module (30 h, held in the 1st semester) dealing with textual and conversation analysis issues in German;
• language courses (120 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 C1.1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims of the course ('theoretical module') are to provide students with specialized knowledge in corpus-assisted textual analysis, developing metalinguistic skills contrastively (Italian/German).

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Use key scientific terminology in Italian and German;
• Work effectively with various German language corpora;
• Apply fundamental linguistic textual analysis to written and spoken texts, identifying informative and pragmatic features of different genres;
• Recognize key recurring textual phenomena;
• Apply corpus-based linguistic analysis methods;
• Analyze diverse text types and distinguish their characteristics using quantitative and qualitative methods
• Present their analysis in German.

Language learning modules

The courses aim to enable students to reach level C1.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

By the end of the language exercises, students will be able to:

• ​Consolidate existing German language skills.
• Apply German (oral and written, active and passive) to the C1.1 CEFR level
• Analyze German scientific, popular science, technical, and journalistic texts.
• Develop effective strategies for oral and written presentations.

PREREQUISITES

Language level  B2  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, 1st semester) is accompanied by year-round language learning courses.

Language learning modules: (120 h, yearlong)

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Course: Text and Corpus Linguistics
I. Theoretical Module:

• Introduction to Textual Linguistics
• Informational and Pragmatic Characteristics of Specific Text Genres
• Introduction to Corpus Linguistics
• Corpora and Linguistic Analysis
• German Language Corpora and Digital Resources
• Applications of Corpus Linguistics (examples and case studies)

II. Language learning modules (Language Exercises):

• Development of all four language skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing), including relevant grammar
• Exercises in scientific writing ("Einführung in wissenschaftliches Arbeiten")
• Practice in specialized communication ("Fachsprachenkommunikation")
   

III. General Information:

• Attendance at the theoretical module is strongly recommended.
• Validity of the examination program: until February 2027 (as per regulations).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Theoretical Module

• Bubenhofer, Noah. 2009. Sprachgebrauchsmuster: Korpuslinguistik als Methode der Diskurs- und Kulturanalyse (Sprache und Wissen (SuW) Ser v. 4). Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter
• Flinz, Carolina. 2024. Linguistica dei corpora. Una nuova prospettiva teorico-metodologica per lo studio di morfologia e sintassi in ambito DaF. Milano: University Press <https://libri.unimi.it/index.php/milanoup/catalog/view/165/483/1500>
• Leibniz-Institut für Deutsche Sprache: "Propädeutische Grammatik". Grammatisches Informationssystem grammis DOI: 10.14618/programm Permalink: https://grammis.ids-mannheim.de/progr@mm

Language learning modules: 

• Jin, Friederike/Voß, Ute. 2024. Grammatik aktiv B2-C1. Berlin: Cornelsen.
• Perlemann-Balme, Michaela et al. 2024. Vielfalt Deutsch als Fremdsprache - Kurs- und Arbeitsbuch C1.1. München: Hueber.
• Perlemann-Balme, Michaela et al. 2024. Vielfalt Deutsch als Fremdsprache - Kurs- und Arbeitsbuch C1.2. München: Hueber
• Rausch, Karin. 2025. Konkret. Deutsche grammatik. Ediz. per la scuola. Milano: Liberty 2025. 

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theoretical module: 30 hours, 1st semester 

Start: October 2025
 

Language learning modules: 120 h, 1st + 2nd term
start: October, 2025.

Language learning course (Bergemann)
start: October 2025

Language learning course (N.N.)
start: October 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

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 (with 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 2027 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 year of the master course in "Modern languages and literature for teaching, publishing and digital media" LM 37

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 German.
• 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.