Ms Ulrike Rehm
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course extends the four macro-skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) developed in the three preceding semesters of German study.
The level of competence inculcated by GRMN2020 is similar to that definedﾠfor LevelﾠB1 of the "Common European Framework."
Course requirements
Assumed background
The formal prerequisite for GRMN2020ﾠis noted above. Students who do not fulfil that prerequisite, but have an equivalent knowledge of German (e.g. from an equivalent formal prerequisite gained interstate or overseas, or from residence in a German-speaking country) are permitted to enrol in GRMN2020, but they must consult the course coordinator beforehand. Please note also that enrolments may be refused on the basis of such knowledge or abilities, and enrolment in a different course may be recommended. A student's enrolment in a course for which s/he holds incompatible qualifications may be cancelled at any time. Such cancellation may involve forfeiture of credit, and students may remain liable for course fees.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
GRMN2010 or GRMN1110
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
GRMN1120
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice.
Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need
help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ
student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
Aims and outcomes
GRMN2020 is based on a series of contemporary texts dealing with a variety of cultural themes. The texts are studied both for their inherent interest, and as starting-points for the extension of the macro-skills and the grammatical knowledge developed in GRMN2010.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
summarise information from contemporary texts (e.g. newspaper articles) with increasing idiomatic appropriateness and grammatical accuracy; the grammatical structures taught explicitly are the passive voice, reflexive verbs/pronouns, modal verbs and the subjunctive
LO2.
analyse, and express an opinion about, contemporary texts (e.g. films)
LO3.
demonstrate knowledge of issues in the German-speaking cultures; the texts studied are grouped around the theme of "Stationen eines jungen Lebens" and questions of education
LO4.
pursue effective strategies for independent German-language practice and German-language learning
LO5.
proceed to effective German-language learning at an advanced level
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
Reading Comprehension In-Semester Exam
|
25% |
28/08/2024 |
| Examination |
Grammar In-Semester Exam
|
25% |
18/09/2024 |
| Examination |
Writing In-Semester Exam
|
25% |
9/10/2024 |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Oral Interview
|
25% |
4/11/2024 - 11/11/2024
Student-specific due dates. The scheduling of the interviews will be arranged by the end of week 12. |
Assessment details
Reading Comprehension In-Semester Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
28/08/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Comprehension test, with written answers in German, based on the reading texts discussed in class in the first five weeks of teaching.
This test lasts a maximum of 90 minutes (no reading time). Students will complete this task in their second class session in Week 6.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
In-class exam
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Grammar In-Semester Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
18/09/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
A range of questions and responses designed to test students' knowledge of the grammatical points inculcated in the course up to and including Week 8.
This exam lasts a maximum of 90 minutes (no reading time), and will be completed in the scheduled class in Week 9.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
In-class assessment
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Writing In-Semester Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
9/10/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
In preparation for this assessment task, students are encouraged to submit at least 3 writing tasks of 200 words each by the end of week 9. However, there is no requirement to do so. These tasks will cover topics similar to those that will feature in the Writing Exam. The topics will be advertised during the first 8 weeks of semester. The aim of this preparation is to develop and enhance writing skills and allow the production of independent written German under exam conditions.
Students are encouraged to use the recommended text German Sentence Builders for additional information about the characteristics of good writing in German.
This Writing Exam will be held in the second class in week 11.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Oral Interview
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
4/11/2024 - 11/11/2024
Student-specific due dates. The scheduling of the interviews will be arranged by the end of week 12.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
Questions and answers in German based on the film "Oh Boy". Questions may also be asked on a second film "Eingeschlossene Gesellschaft", excerpts of which will be screened throughout the semester.
Students are interviewed individually, face-to-face, for a maximum of 12 minutes. The scheduling of the interviews will be arranged by the end of week 12.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
By individual appointment
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
This is an end of semester assessment during exam period. Approved extensions will be rescheduled based on assessors' availability.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Student has extreme difficulty in comprehending the course content, and in discussing the relevant issues comprehensibly in formal and informal German. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Student has considerable difficulty in comprehending the course content, and in discussing the relevant issues comprehensibly in formal and informal German. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Student has difficulty in comprehending the course content, and in discussing the relevant issues comprehensibly in formal and informal German. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Student demonstrates an adequate comprehension of the course content, and can discuss the relevant issues comprehensibly in formal and informal German. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Student demonstrates an adequate comprehension of the course content, can discuss the relevant issues comprehensibly in formal and informal German, and performs at a high standard in at least one respect (e.g. through insightful analysis of texts). |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Student usually demonstrates the ability to comprehend the course content fully, to discuss the relevant issues with insight, and to speak and write formal and informal German with grammatical accuracy, appropriate vocabulary, conversational fluency and/or good pronunciation. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Student consistently demonstrates the ability to comprehend the course content fully, to discuss the relevant issues with insight, and to speak and write formal and informal German with grammatical accuracy, appropriate vocabulary, conversational fluency and/or good pronunciation. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
UQ is working to achieve greater equity in grading practices across the whole university. Until now, it has been easier to get high grades in some areas of study than in others. Assessment criteria and standards are therefore being modified to ensure they correspond to the grade descriptors above.
In this course, the difficulty of passing the course has not changed, however the requirements to achieve a 6 or a 7 have been tightened, so that only outstanding achievement is rewarded by high grades.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Geschossmann-Hendershot/Feuerle: German Grammar (sixth edition 2019: New York: McGraw Hill; Schaum's Outline Series) | Grammar Book | |
| Oh Boy, dir. Jan-Ole Gerster (2012) (film: will be shown at least partly in class) | Available via the UQ Library website, and elsewhere | |
| GRMN2020: Course Materials 2024 (available shortly before teaching begins). |
Recommended
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Conti, Vinales & Weidner: German Sentence Builders: A Lexicogrammar Approach: Pre-Intermediate to Intermediate (The Language Gym) (for revision purposes only) | ||
| Collins German Dictionary (Harper Collins, 2008), paperback |
Additional learning resources information
The textbook is deliberately concentrated, in order to promote efficient learning in the limited classroom time available, but it also contains additional materials and references to suitable external materials (e.g. websites).ﾠ The textbook will be supplemented by other materials from time to time.
Students should note that regular attendance at classes, active participation in classes, conscientious completion of homework and careful evaluation of "feedback" (e.g. of work which is marked and returned) are essential to successful language learning.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
General contact hours |
Presentation, Assimilation and Reinforcement The communicative and grammatical content of GRMN2020 is outlined above. The textbook provides a week-by-week description of the content taught throughout the semester. The teaching and learning modes are outlined below. |
Additional learning activity information
Other Teaching and Learning Activities Information
As GRMN2020 is a course at "continuing" (rather than "advanced") level, a fairly consistent procedure for presenting, assimilating and reinforcing course content is followed throughout the semester.
Written texts are typically dealt with in the following stages:
- students prepare the text before class
- the teacher checks comprehension (e.g. through short vocabulary or translation questions) in class, and proceeds to a discussion in German of the issues raised by the text
- the new grammatical structures exemplified by the text are discussed explicitly in English, then reinforced by guided writing in German
- relevant homework and additional materials are also provided
Audio-visual texts are typically dealt with in the following stages:
- contextual information is provided (e.g. introductory materials, vocabulary lists, comprehension questions)
- basic comprehension is checked, content-based questions are answered, and evaluative opinions are sought, in German
- comprehension is reinforced by oral or written summary, in German
Each section of the course (and of the course materials) repeats content inculcated in earlier sections. Students are continually required to use German actively, primarily in responding to the teacher. German is the dominant language of instruction, but English is used for functions in which it is more efficient.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.