Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course further develops the four macroskills (reading, writing, speaking and understanding spoken German) practised in GRMN3010.
GRMN3020 is the continuation of GRMN3010. It has two major areas of study, both of which are conducted in German:
- Contemporary Germany: This component comprises a discussion of German attitudes towards the legacy of the 3rd Reich today. Different materials are used: excerpts from popular and biographical fiction (Der Vorleser and Vielleicht Esther), short films (e.g. "Joshua"), as well as miscellaneous historical texts, video and audio materials to provide background information.ﾠ Preparation of handouts at home is essential for participation in classroom discussions.
- Revision of key aspects of the German language: Revision, consolidation and refinement of key aspects of the German language. As students enter GRMN3020 with an enhanced background in German-language learning, the course is designed to review, consolidate and build onﾠﾠallﾠ four macro-skillsﾠthrough the employment of appropriate learning tasks and to establish a firm foundation for further advanced study in German language and culture.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The formal prerequisites for GRMN3020 are noted above. Students who do not fulfil those prerequisites, but who have an equivalent knowledge of German (e.g. from equivalent formal prerequisites gained interstate or overseas, or from residence in a German-speaking country) may receive permission to enrol in GRMN3020, but they must consult the course coordinator beforehand.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
GRMN3010
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
GRMN2120
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. At every level of the German language program, you will
* extend your awareness and understanding of the nature of language and culture through studying the communicative systems of German as spoken in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
* acquire language-learning strategies designed to help you take charge of your own learning and communication. While the courses in the German language program promote the development of all four macro skills (speaking, listening, writing and reading), proficiency in those skills is not expected to evolve at exactly the same rate or with the same degree of sophistication.
* develop effective communication and intercultural competence at increasingly sophisticated levels. Independence is promoted by self-study and the scope to pursue selected areas of interest. Creativity is fostered by generating oral and written analyses and commentaries as well as genuinely creative pieces.
* develop critical judgement as well as ethical and social understanding through the discussion of conflicting views related to contemporary topics. At the advanced levels of German, the refinement of language skills is conjoined with an appreciation of Germanic Studies (Germanistik). Germanic Studies is a discipline which applies methods from the Humanities, e.g. Literary Studies, Cultural Studies, Film Studies, Media Studies and others in a specifically German context. Such in-depth knowledge of the field of study, in combination with a sophisticated command of German, serves as a stepping stone to postgraduate
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
speak everyday German with reasonable fluency and a good pronunciation
LO2.
read factual and fictional texts with a high level of accuracy
LO3.
write standard German communicatively, creatively and with grammatical accuracy, using a variety of registers
LO4.
comprehend accurately standard German spoken at normal to high speed
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique, Examination |
In Class Essay
|
40% |
10/10/2025 2:30 pm
Will be written in class in WEEK 10, Friday from 1 pm. Duration 90 min. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique, Reflection, Translation/ Interpretation |
Blog
|
40% |
14/11/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, EXAM WEEK 1 |
| Performance, Presentation, Role play/ Simulation, Translation/ Interpretation |
Discussion
|
20% |
20/11/2025
During EXAM WEEK 2, Thursday (from 3 pm onwards) in person, on campus. |
Assessment details
In Class Essay
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
10/10/2025 2:30 pm
Will be written in class in WEEK 10, Friday from 1 pm.
Duration 90 min.
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
An essay of 500 words in German, on one topic from a selection of set topics based on the reading texts and films in the course. You will complete the essay during your Friday class in WEEK 10.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT 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 - specified written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
In class, on paper.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Blog
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique, Reflection, Translation/ Interpretation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
14/11/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, EXAM WEEK 1
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
Blog entries start in Week 4 and comprise responses in German to a set question. 8 Blogs are to be completed by Week 13.
Final submission of blog entries is scheduled by Friday of the first week of the exam period.
Each entry needs to be of a minimum of 150 words in German, with a word count.
The assessment considers content (originality, clarity and consistency in the development of the ideas, conclusiveness, sources) and the appropriate use of vocabulary, grammar, orthography and punctuation. Marks may be subtracted if the required word length is not met or for belated postings.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Via Blackboard link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
8 blog entries are to be completed throghout the semester (from WEEK 4 to WEEK 13). The maximum extension length of 7 calendar days on the final submission will allow for students' to receive feedback and prepare for the final assessment task.
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.
Discussion
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Performance, Presentation, Role play/ Simulation, Translation/ Interpretation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
20/11/2025
During EXAM WEEK 2, Thursday (from 3 pm onwards) in person, on campus.
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04
Task description
This assessment item is given a mark out of 20. Typically, in a group of 4 students, each student has approx. 3 minutes of speaking time. Topics are developed in class. Marks are allocated on an individual basis as per the criteria on Blackboard.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT 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 28 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: No or few assignments attempted. The student fails to demonstrate any basic ability to communicate in German and has not met any course objective. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate basic understanding of the items introduced in the course, nor has developed proficiency in any of the skill areas targeted in the course objectives. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student hardly uses communication strategies and demonstrates only a limited understanding of the new items introduced in the course, nor has developed proficiency in any of the skill areas targeted in the course objectives. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student uses communication strategies with reasonable effectiveness. Understanding of spoken and written German is generally good but details may be missed. The student attempts a limited range of vocabulary and structures with reasonable accuracy. Errors will occasionally affect meaning. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student uses communication strategies effectively. Understanding of spoken and written German is generally good. The student attempts a range of structures and vocabulary with reasonable accuracy. While errors occur, they do not on the whole affect meaning. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student uses communication strategies very effectively. Understanding of spoken and written German is very good. The student uses consistently comprehensible sentences and responds fluently, appropriately and confidently. The student uses a wide range of vocabulary and structures with appropriate accuracy and attempts, mostly successfully, to use language creatively. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student uses communication strategies very effectively, with very high levels of accuracy and sophistication. Understanding of spoken and written German is excellent. The student speaks and writes fluently, appropriately and confidently, using a wide range of vocabulary and structures with very high levels of accuracy and correct pronunciation. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard 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.
Additional learning resources information
Regular attendance at classes, active participation in classes, conscientiousﾠpreparation and careful evaluation of feedback given for individual writing in the blogs are essential to successful language learning.ﾠ
Please ensure that you have access to the novels listed above. If access to the library is not possible, they should be available via commercial online distributors (i.e. consider ordering/etc them on the internet).
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 |
Lecture style content delivery Lecture on Cultural and Linguistic Background (Lecture) Learning outcomes: L04 |
Tutorial |
Linguistic, Historical and Literary Issues Linguistic, Historical and Literary Issues (Group Work) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Tutorial |
In-class discussion Class and Small Group Discussion (Discussion) Learning outcomes: L01 |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.