OVERVIEW

German in Multilingual Contexts

The course consists of

a 30-hour theoretical module (2nd semester);
a 120-hour practical module focused on developing oral and written proficiency in German.

The course aims to develop the ability to analyse the use of German in multilingual contexts, providing the theoretical and methodological tools of sociolinguistics and inter- and cross-cultural pragmatics. Particular attention is paid to phenomena of language contact and the communicative dynamics that characterise situations of multilingualism involving the German language.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to equip students with the knowledge needed to analyse the use of German in a variety of multilingual contexts, in particular through the tools of sociolinguistics and inter- and cross-cultural pragmatics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding: Students know the fundamental concepts of sociolinguistics and of inter- and cross-cultural pragmatics, and understand the main phenomena associated with the use of German in multilingual contexts (language contact, variation, code-switching).

Applying knowledge and understanding: Students are able to apply the analytical tools they have acquired to the examination of real communicative situations in which German comes into contact with other languages and cultures.

Making judgements: Students are able to critically evaluate linguistic data and multilingual communicative situations, formulating independent and well-grounded interpretations.

Communication skills: Students are able to present the results of their analyses, both orally and in writing, using the relevant specialist terminology appropriately.

Learning skills: Students develop autonomy in study and in keeping their knowledge up to date, being able to locate and integrate specialist sources in order to deepen the topics of the course.

PREREQUISITES

Language level  C1.1  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, 2nd semester) is accompanied by year-round language learning courses.

Language learning modules: (120 h, yearlong)

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is organised in two complementary parts.

Part I — Sociolinguistic approaches to multilingualism (ref. Busch 2021). Topics include: the notion of the linguistic repertoire; the perspectives of the subject, of discourse and of space; language ideologies and the social construction of linguistic categories; language-biographical work as a method of inquiry; language-contact phenomena (code-switching, translanguaging, borrowing, interference). Particular attention is given to the role of German in multilingual contexts and to current topics such as sign languages, language and migration policy, everyday media practices, and language regimes in urban spaces and in the workplace.

Part II — Inter- and cross-cultural pragmatics (ref. House & Kádár 2021). Topics include: the theoretical foundations of pragmatic comparison across linguacultures; the nature and analysis of pragmatic data; speech acts and politeness from a contrastive perspective; the application of the framework to real communicative contexts (professional, political, educational). German is compared with other linguacultures in order to bring out intercultural communicative dynamics.

Synthesis: the two parts converge in the analysis of concrete cases in which the use of German in multilingual situations is examined jointly through the lenses of sociolinguistics and pragmatics.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Busch, Brigitta. 2021. Mehrsprachigkeit. 3. Aufl. Wien: facultas/UTB.

House, Juliane / Kádár, Dániel Z. 2021. Cross-Cultural Pragmatics. Cambridge: CUP.

Spitzmüller, Jürgen. 2022. Soziolinguistik. Eine Einführung. Berlin: Metzler

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

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Theoretical module: 30 hours, 2nd semester 

Start: February, 2027

Language learning modules: 120 h, 1st + 2nd term
start: End of September, 2026.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

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 2028 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.