Professional German, basic course, 60 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- account for fundamental concepts of grammar and phonetics
- demonstrate awareness of and an ability to account for systematic grammatical and phonological differences and similarities between German and the Swedish
- demonstrate a command of the German language in speech and writing
- demonstrate basic knowledge of German-language, mainly German, literature and an ability to analyse and discuss such literature in German
- demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the social structure, history and geography of the German-speaking countries with an emphasis on Nordrhein-Westfalen
- demonstrate familiarity with the German workplace where the placement has been carried out and the tasks that have been carried out
- very good knowledge of the German social, cultural, working life and everyday life in Germany

Course content

Semester 1:

Introductory Course, 7.5 HE credits Exercises in understanding spoken and written German as well as practising one's own oral and written production. General overview of German morphology and fundamental concepts in general and German phonetics. Exercises in correct German sound formation and intonation.

Text, 7.5 HE credits
Reading and presentation of about 1500 normal pages of modern literature and nonfiction. The course also includes watching certain German films and presenting them in writing or orally.

Grammar and Language Proficiency, 7.5 HE credits
German Syntax (5 HE credits): Systematic overview of the bases of German syntax. Practical exercises in the form of written assignments. Translation (2.5 HE credits): Application in written form of vocabulary, phraseology and grammar through translation exercises to and from German.

Realia with Oral and Written Presentation, 7.5 HE credits
Study of the culture and social situations of the German-speaking countries, as well as their history, with an emphasis on the period after 1870. The fundamental features of the name geography and ethnogeography of the German-speaking countries with special focus on Nordrhein-Westfalen. Exercises in pronunciation, and in written and oral production.

Semester 2
Placement and Project in Germany, 30 HE credits

The semester is entirely carried out in Germany and comprises:

* A four week intensive course that prepares the participants for the placement
* Sixteen weeks of supervised placement at a company, including a project work
* An final week that is devoted to final, summarising teaching and evaluation. Within this framework, each student presents a project work.

Teaching and working methods

Semester 1:
Apart from independent studies, the course includes group assignments outside of scheduled time. The scheduled activities are lectures, seminars, teaching sessions and exercises. The students are expected to participate actively, both through discussions and through written and oral presentation assignments in connection with the teaching.

Semester 2:
The initial weeks are particularly devoted to practising the practical skills that are needed during the placement period, such as oral and written production, inter-cultural communication, presentation technique, reading and listening comprehension, grammar and realia. The communication skills are practised through a student-centred working method, where an important element is problem-based learning (PBL).

During the placement period, the students should work in a communicative context at a German workplace and in that way apply and advance the knowledge that has been acquired both during the first semester and during the initial intensive course in Germany. In collaboration with a personal supervisor, the students are continuously given different assignments. In addition, there will be presentations and a larger project work that continues during the entire placement period, and that at the end of the course will be presented both orally and in writing.

Examination

Semester 1:
Introductory Course: Written examination in German morphology and German phonetics, and continuous examination through compulsory written assignments and compulsory participation in group assignments and scheduled exercises. Text: Continuous examination through active and compulsory participation in seminars, and through written assignments and an oral film presentation.
Grammar and Language Proficiency: written examinations in German grammar and in translation. Compulsory written assignments and group assignments. Realia: Compulsory written assignments and group assignments, as well as written and oral presentation of a project. Pronunciation test.

Semester 2:
Intensive Course: Oral and written presentations.
Placement and Project: Placement assignments at placement companies according to instructions from the supervisor and oral and written presentation of a project work.

Grades

Other information

Department