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
Continuation of GRMN3110.
As students enter GRMN3120 with an enhanced background in German-language learning, the course is designed to review, consolidate and build on all four macro-skillsﾠthrough the employment of appropriate learning tasks and, as an exit level, to establish a firm foundation forﾠfurther highlyﾠadvanced German studies, e,g, within theﾠHonours program in German language and culture.
GRMN3120 has two major areas of study, both of which are conducted in German:
- Contemporary Germany This component will investigate the responses of German intellectuals to the media coverage of German terrorism in the 1970s. Suitable film excerpts, excerpts of the novel Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum, as well as additional fictional and non-fictional texts, will serve to identify central issues.
- Revision, consolidation and refinement of key aspects of the German languageﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
The formal prerequisites for GRMN3120 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) are permitted to enrol in GRMN3120, but they must consult the course coordinator beforehand.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
GRMN3110
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
The language-acquisition courses in the German Program emphasise the meaningful use of the German language in an expanding range of contexts, and at increasing levels of linguistic and intellectual sophistication. Language learning within and outside the classroom is based primarily on discussion and analysis of a variety of topics presented through a variety of materials. The processes of learning about "language" and about "culture" are considered largely indivisible, as are issues of "communication" and "grammar," although all courses include some formal discussion and/or revision of linguistic structures at appropriate junctures. Assessment tasks are integrated closely with classroom activities, and concentrate largely on communicative competence.
GRMN3120 builds cumulatively on the skills and knowledge you have acquired in earlier language courses through exposure to the following tasks:
- develop an understanding of aspects of recent German history associated with the terrorist group "Red Army Faction" and culminating in the "German Autumn"
- further practice in the spoken language as it occurs in everyday and more sophisticated contexts
- vocabulary expansion through the reading of factual and fictional texts
- reviewing and expanding comprehension and correct application of German linguistic structures
- regular contributions to the online discussion blog of the course toﾠfurther develop stylistic competence.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
have developed your capacity to speak everyday German with reasonable fluency and a good pronunciation
LO2.
have developed your capacity to read factual and some analytical texts with a high level of accuracy
LO3.
have developed your capacity to write standard German communicatively, creatively and with grammatical accuracy, using a variety of registers
LO4.
have developed your capacity to comprehend accurately standard German spoken at normal to high speed
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique, Reflection, Translation/ Interpretation |
Blog
|
40% |
25/10/2024 5:00 pm
Blog entries start in week 4 and 10 blog entries need to be completed by week 13. |
| Essay/ Critique |
Essay
|
40% |
25/10/2024 5:00 pm |
| Performance, Reflection, Role play/ Simulation, Translation/ Interpretation |
Discussion
|
20% |
13/11/2024 2:00 pm
In exam week 2, on Wednesday from 2 pm onward. |
Assessment details
Blog
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique, Reflection, Translation/ Interpretation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
25/10/2024 5:00 pm
Blog entries start in week 4 and 10 blog entries need to be completed by week 13.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
Blog entries start in week 4 and 10 blog entries need to be completed by week 13, followed by feedback (before and up to svot vac) and the opportunity for revision of blog entries and implementation of feedback by the end of the first exam week. Each entry has a minimum of 250 words in German. 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.
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
From week 4, using the blog function (under course tools) in blackboard.
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.
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.
Essay
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
25/10/2024 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
An essay of 1500 words in German, on one topic from a selection of set topics based on the reading texts and films in the course.
The word limit excludes (1) quotations and (2) scholarly apparatus such as a bibliography and footnotes, where required.
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
Submission via TurnItIn on the course Blackboard site.
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.
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, Reflection, Role play/ Simulation, Translation/ Interpretation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
13/11/2024 2:00 pm
In exam week 2, on Wednesday from 2 pm onward.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04
Task description
Group discussion (or debate) in German, on a topic developed in class, with in-class preparation. 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.
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 to use language fairly creatively. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional 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 to use language fairly creatively. |
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.
Additional learning resources information
Regular attendance at classes, active participation in classes, conscientiousﾠpreparation and careful evalution of "feedback" (given in the blogs for weeks 4, 6, 8 and 10) are essential to successful language learning in this course.
Please ensure that you have access to the above resources. If the library can t be accessed, the two films and the novel by Heinrich Bll should be available via commercial online distributors (i.e. consider ordering/streaming/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 |
General contact hours |
Cultural and Linguistic Background Cultural and Linguistic Background (Contact) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
General contact hours |
Lingustic, Historical and Literary Issues Lingustic, Historical and Literary Issues (Group Work) Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
|
General contact hours |
Class and Small Group Discussion Class and Small Group Discussion (Discussion) Learning outcomes: L01, 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.