Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course provides students with background information, in German, about a selection of significant events, trends, places and persons in the German-speaking countries. The topics are contextualised in terms of political cultures, popular cultures & subcultures. This contextualisation includes an overview of the German media industry and other processes which contribute to the shaping of public opinion. Students in this course will develop sophisticated skills in sourcing and evaluating background information pertaining to German cultures.
The course consists of:
- Conceptualisations of Culture
What is culture? Which assumptions, beliefs, terms and terminologies do exist around this concept? Which approaches may us help to understand cultural phenomena?
- Cultural Background Information
The conceptual framework mentioned above will then be applied to certain samples of German culture, with a view to progress from appreciation to critical understanding. Samples vary, but they may include a review of the influences that shaped the student movement in Germany and the cultural trends which emerged from it, to name but a few examples (for current topics please see the course program distributed in the first week of classes).
- Excerpts from different sophisticated German texts and audio-visual sources
Access to original German sources ensures access to dimensions and insider's views which are usually not available in translation. They shed a light on issues in contemporary Germany which is not readily accessible to the foreign observer. During the course, students will be exposed to a number of approaches pertaining to cultural literacy; they will also start to develop practical research skills in relation to finding and evaluating information from German sources.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
GRMN1120 or GRMN2010
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
Skills in intercultural communication are constantly increasing in importance: a full appreciation of cultural differences is essential to understand global economic, social and political issues. This applies to Germany in particular, as Germany is a major global agent in economics and culture. In GRMN2330 you will specifically develop:
- conceptual skills
- cultural literacy
- effective communication
- intercultural competence
- critical judgement
- ethical and social understanding.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
decode samples of current events and their coverage and to appreciate the specific German histories of those events, you will have developed insights into cultural contexts in German-speaking countries and you will have developed research skills using German language sources.
LO2.
employ advanced conceptual skills
LO3.
develop cultural literacy
LO4.
use critical judgement applied to German sources
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Tutorial Home Exercises
|
30% |
13/06/2025 5:00 pm
Worksheet submissions throughout semester. Final cut-off, Friday Exam Week 1. |
| Presentation |
Tutorial presentation
|
20% |
17/03/2025 - 26/05/2025
WEEK 4 to WEEK 13. Students sign up for a timeslot. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment. |
| Essay/ Critique |
2,000 words in English or in German
|
50% |
30/05/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 13 |
Assessment details
Tutorial Home Exercises
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
13/06/2025 5:00 pm
Worksheet submissions throughout semester. Final cut-off, Friday Exam Week 1.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03
Task description
Worksheets (30%) - The course materials contain 10 worksheets, which should be completed and submitted the week after the topic of the respective worksheet has been discussed in class, in order to enable timely feedback (by Week 6). The due date refers to the final cut-off date for this assessment item. Regular attendance, weekly homework reading and preparatory exercises are an important part of successful completion of this course.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
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
Upload on Blackboard/Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
No extensions are allowed for this series of tasks as students are asked to complete them during the teaching weeks, and the final due date allows ample time for receiving feedback and, if necessary, revision.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Tutorial presentation
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
17/03/2025 - 26/05/2025
WEEK 4 to WEEK 13. Students sign up for a timeslot. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04
Task description
Tutorial presentation (20%) - Brief individual presentations based on a topic of choice related to the topics discussed in class. The tutorial presentation is 10 minutes per student in length and may be held in English or in German. In either case, it needs to refer to and extrapolate from German quotations. Tutorial presentations are to be held live and in-class. They start in Week 4, sign-up after consultation with the lecturer.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
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
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.
Maximum extension length allows assessors to give timely feedback before subsequent tasks are due.
2,000 words in English or in German
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
30/05/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 13
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Essay (50%) - 2,000 words in English or in German, topics to be advised, due on Friday 5pm, Week 13. Must use German quotations in German.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
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
Upload on course site in Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
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: Fails to demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course. ﾠ |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates clear deficiencies in understanding and applying fundamental concepts; communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete or confusing and give little attention to the conventions of the discipline. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Demonstrates superficial or partial or faulty understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study and limited ability to apply these concepts; presents undeveloped or inappropriate or unsupported arguments; communicates information or ideas with lack of clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates adequate understanding and application of the fundamental concepts of the field of study; develops routine arguments or decisions and provides acceptable justification; communicates information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates substantial understanding of fundamental concepts of the field of study and ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; develops or adapts convincing arguments and provides coherent justification; communicates information and ideas clearly and fluently in terms of the conventions of the discipline. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As for 5, with frequent evidence of originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and in creating solutions; uses a level, style and means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: As for 6, with consistent evidence of substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critically evaluates problems, their solutions and implications. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
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 |
Tutorial |
Discussion of Weekly Topics German source materials will be discussed every week, based on selected readings. The topics are contextualised in terms of their role in shaping modern thought, political culture, popular cultures & subcultures. This contextualisation includes an references to German history, past and present, and the German society, the parlamentarian system, the media landscape and many other aspects of contemporary German life which will enable students to decode and interpret more comprhensively German events, past and present. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Not Timetabled |
Formal Individual Contributions to the Course Students will contribute to the course through their reading of course texts and by answering the questions on the worksheets. This will enable students to individually contribute to the course by presenting a selection of German source material, in consultation with the lecturer. In this component, students in this course will apply their skills in understanding, evaluating and presenting German language background information pertaining to German cultures. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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.