Students

GMN 287 – Intermediate German I

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Susana Catalina Prat
AHH L2 North Wing
Lecturer
Brangwen Stone
AHH L2 North Wing
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
GMN133 or HSC German Extension or Continuers Band 4 or 5 or 6 or E3 or E4 German
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This intermediate unit is designed to further develop skills in reading, comprehension, speaking and writing. The unit covers fundamental areas of German grammar. The unit is taught in blended mode with a strong online component, working towards CEFR Level B1. Assessment is by online tests, assignments and examination.

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

General Assessment Information

Indicative examples of assessment tasks will be available on iLearn.

Late Assessment Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Tests 25% No s. iLearn
Assignments 25% No s. iLearn
Class Presentation/Project 10% No Weeks 8-12
Class Participation 10% No Weekly
Final Test 30% No Week 13

Online Tests

Due: s. iLearn
Weighting: 25%

Online Quizzes in class (internal students) or within an allotted timeframe (external students).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To hear, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.

Assignments

Due: s. iLearn
Weighting: 25%

Assignments are compulsory and must be submitted on time. Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To hear, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Class Presentation/Project

Due: Weeks 8-12
Weighting: 10%

Presentation in class on topics announced in advance.  Alternative arrangements will be made for external students.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To hear, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Class Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

Participation in class and online forums and tasks.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To hear, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Final Test

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

Internal and external students enrolled in units are required to sit a compulsory final online test (to be held during business hours) in Week 13. The exact date and time will be announced in Week 6. Do not expect that alternative test arrangements will be made for you. The only exceptions to this are:

a)  members of the armed forces who must go away on duty;

b)  students representing Australia or the University in a national or international sporting or cultural event;

c) students proceeding to a period of study in a foreign country associated with a Macquarie University program of study.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.

Delivery and Resources

CLASSES

For current updates, lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetables website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au.

For external students there will be one on-campus session (time and date TBA, see iLearn)

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

The unit is based on 

 a textbook:        

  • Perlmann-Balme, M. et al (2008):  em neu Brückenkurs 2008. Deutsch als Fremdsprache Niveaustufe B1. Kursbuch. Ismaning: Max Hueber Verlag.

 and workbook:

  • Orth-Chambah, J. (2008):  em neu Brückenkurs. Deutsch als Fremdsprache Niveaustufe B1. Arbeitsbuch. Ismaning: Max Hueber Verlag.

together with the audio-material for the course provided online via the iLearn online platform.

Please do not use earlier editions as the content has been modified in the latest edition.

GRAMMARS

If you have not studied grammar in much detail yet, the following text is recommended as an introduction:

  • Zorach, C. & Melin, Ch. English Grammar for Students of German. The Olivia and Hill Press 2001.

A more comprehensive overview of German grammar can be found in the following German grammar, written in English:

  • Kars, J., Häussermann, U. & J. Hime-Everschor   German Elementary Grammar Frankfurt: Diesterweg 1993.

A very comprehensive German grammar written in German for the language learner who is already familiar with grammatical terminology is:

  • Dreyer, H. &  R. Schmitt Lehr- und Übungsbuch der deutschen Grammatik. Die Gelbe aktuell.  Hueber 2009 or later.

In addition to explanations of German grammar, there are numerous exercises, which will be covered in the Advanced German units (GMN 310 & GMN 311).

Another very comprehensive grammar written in English for learners of German familiar with grammatical terminology is :

  • Durell, M. / Hammer, A.  Hammer’s German Grammar and Usage (5th edition) Hodder 2011.

DICTIONARIES

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)

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.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To revise grammatical structures previously studied and learn new structures essential to oral and written fluency and accuracy.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

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, speak, read and write modern German language in a variety of registers.
  • To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of German texts.
  • To attain a good level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
  • To understand and gain proficiency in the mechanics of writing German.
  • To gain an appreciation of the German culture through textual (including literature) and aural material introduced in the class resources and discussed in class as well as online.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tests
  • Assignments
  • Class Presentation/Project
  • Class Participation
  • Final Test

Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

The unit aims at fostering language skills to level B1, described as follows in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
19/01/2018 Changed to reflect new late submission policy.