Students

GMN 360 – The German Language in Use - Variation and Change

2017 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Dr Susanne Binder
Contact via ph 02 9850 6881
AHH Level 2 north
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
6cp at 200 level including GMN288
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit, for students of German at an advanced level of proficiency, aims at practicing German language skills while introducing students to socio-linguistic aspects of the German language. Topics for discussion include: linguistic variation in German (such as regional variation, variation between written and spoken German, language and gender), as well as language change (such as Engleutsch, German in East and West). Assessment is by coursework which includes online discussion of the material.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

General Assessment Information

Preparation and participation: Students are required to keep up with the unit schedule and the overall pace of the unit by making regular contributions on iLearn.

Assessment tasks (Assignments 1-6 and Online Participation) are compulsory. Criteria and standards of grading are explained with each of the assessment tasks. Indicative examples of assessment tasks will be available on iLearn. Assessment tasks must be submitted by the specified due date and will be returned online. For details, see the iLearn site.  As a general rule, extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). Extensions can only be granted in exceptional cases and require consultation with the unit convenor before the assignment is due. Late submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the assignment task is late. No assignments will be accepted after assignments have been corrected and feedback has been provided. Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date.

To satisfactorily complete this unit, students need to pass the assessment tasks with a result of 50% or more.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assignments 1-3 45% No Weeks 3, 5, 7
Assignments 4-6 45% No Weeks 9, 11, 13
Online Participation 10% No Weekly

Assignments 1-3

Due: Weeks 3, 5, 7
Weighting: 45%

Tasks for Assignments 1-3: details on iLearn. Each Assignment is worth 15% of the final mark.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

Assignments 4-6

Due: Weeks 9, 11, 13
Weighting: 45%

Tasks for Assignments 4-6: details on iLearn. Each Assignment is worth 15% of the final mark.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

Online Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

Students are required to participate in online discussions - writing in German and English - and to use the range of resources provided to them in iLearn. These online contributions assist the preparation of the Assignments.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

Delivery and Resources

GMN360 uses iLearn to deliver content, communicate with students and for discussion. On iLearn, students will find the detailed unit schedule and all further information. To access this unit website please refer to http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Required Textbook

  • Stevenson, P. , The German speaking world. A practical introduction to sociolinguistic issues. London: Routledge, 1997.

Recommended Reference Works

You will need to work with a German dictionary in this course. A smaller dictionary (e.g. Collins, Pons, Langenscheidt etc) will be sufficient for this unit, but for continued study of German you might want to buy a more comprehensive one.

A dictionary which is sufficiently comprehensive to take you through your complete program of German studies is:

  • Terrell, P. et al Collins German-English, English-German (Großwörterbuch Deutsch-Englisch, Englisch-Deutsch)

We suggest that you start working with a monolingual dictionary as soon as possible. In a monolingual dictionary, an explanation of the German word is given in German. There is one such dictionary written with the intermediate and upper intermediate level learner of German in mind, which we recommend:

  • Götz, D., Haensch, G. & H. Wellmann Langenscheidts Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache Berlin/München: Langenscheidt (latest edition)
  • Online dictionaries are  http://www.dict.cc/  and  http://dict.leo.org/

We also recommend the German Grammar books that you have used in previous units:

  • Richard Schmitt und Hilke Dreyer, Lehr- und Übungsbuch der deutschen Grammatik, Munich: Hueber, ISBN 978-3-19-307255-9
  • Richard Schmitt and Hilke Dreye, Lehr- und Übungsbuch der deutschen Grammatik – aktuell Lösungsschlüssel zu allen Sprachfassungen, Munich: Hueber, ISBN 978-3-19-407255-8
  • Wolfgang Rug and Andreas Tomaszewski, Grammatik mit Sinn und Verstand, Stuttgart: Klett, ISBN 978-3-12-675422-4
  • Wolfgang Rug and Andreas Tomaszewski, Grammatik mit Sinn und Verstand – Lösungsheft, Stuttgart: Klett, ISBN 978-3-12-675423-1

Technology used and required

Online Unit Login is via https://ilearn.mq.edu.au  Is my unit in iLearn? http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/  to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For students attending classes on campus we strongly encourage that you bring along your own laptop computer, ready to work with activities in your online unit. The preferred operating system is Windows 10.

Students are required to access the online unit in iLearn by the end of Week 1 and follow any relevant instructions and links for downloads that may be required. If applicable, students are required to download the relevant language package prior to Week 2. Please contact your course convenor before the end of Week 1 if you do not have a suitable laptop (or tablet) for in-class use.

 

Unit Schedule

 

 

GMN360 SEMESTERPLAN

The more detailed unit schedule with due dates is made available on iLearn.

Week 1

Einführung: Variation im Deutschen

Week 2

Varianten des Deutschen: Dialekte

Week 3

Gesprochene Sprache / Geschriebene Sprache

Week 4

Verschiedene Textsorten im Deutschen (1)

Week 5

Verschiedene Textsorten im Deutschen (2)

Week 6

Sprache und Nachrichtentexte

Week 7

Männersprache – Frauensprache ?

Week 8

Sprache und Geschlecht

Week 9

Rechtschreibreform (1)

Week 10

Rechtschreibreform (2)

Week 11

Sprachverfall?

Week 12

Sprachwende

Week 13

Sprache und Migration

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.

Assessment task

  • Online Participation

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments 1-3
  • Assignments 4-6
  • Online Participation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments 1-3
  • Assignments 4-6

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments 1-3
  • Assignments 4-6
  • Online Participation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments 1-3
  • Assignments 4-6
  • Online Participation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to read, comprehend, and to prioritize information from a variety of German texts.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments 1-3
  • Assignments 4-6

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management
  • to engage with sociolinguistic aspects of the German language, in particular linguistic variation and language change.
  • to analyse relevant theoretical concepts and to apply these concepts to practical tasks at C1-C2 level.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments 1-3
  • Assignments 4-6
  • Online Participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to be able to analyse social and regional variation in German from a „microsociolinguistic‟ perspective (e.g. regional speech forms, written/spoken German)
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments 1-3
  • Assignments 4-6
  • Online Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • to hear, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • to be able to investigate and reflect on „macro sociolinguistic‟ issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages
  • to understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • to demonstrate self organization and time management

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments 1-3
  • Assignments 4-6
  • Online Participation