Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Susanne Binder susanne.binder@mq.edu.au Contact via susanne.binder@mq.edu.au AHH L2 North Wing Tues 3-4 pm
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites GMN311
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This advanced level German unit is based on topical and literary texts as well as contemporary film. The weekly classes are designed to refine skills in reading, comprehension, speaking and writing. Advanced topics in German grammar are covered by tasks set for independent study. Students enrolled in this unit may choose to prepare for the internationally recognised C2 examinations conducted by the Goethe-Institut. Assessment is by coursework.

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 longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

General Assessment Information

Preparation: Students are expected to prepare the course work to be covered in class in advance, as set out in programs or announced in class.

Punctuality: Please arrive on time for classes. Arriving late is very disruptive. All classes start five minutes past the hour. If you should arrive late, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed.

Absence: Campus students absent due to illness or other valid reasons should notify the unit convenor or the Department Administrator, phone: +61 2 9850 7005. Accordingly, external 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: are compulsory. Criteria and standards of grading are explained with each of the assessment tasks. Assessment tasks must be submitted by the specified due date and will be returned online. For details, see the iLearn site. Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date.

The student is required to complete all the assignments and the final test by the due date (for details see section on "Assessment Tasks"). To complete the unit successfully, the student will need to submit all pieces of written work and to achieve an overall mark of 50% or above.

Late submission of 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
Film Presentation	5%	No	Week 5
2 Assignments	30%	No	Weeks 4, 10
2 Grammar Tests	20%	No	Weeks 6, 11
Zertifikat C2 materials	5%	No	Week 12
Final Test	40%	No	Week 13

Film Presentation

Due: Week 5
Weighting: 5%

Students give a short presentation (10-15 minutes) in which they analyse the content, cinematography and/or historical background of a German film that is then further discussed in the unit.

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 longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

2 Assignments

Due: Weeks 4, 10
Weighting: 30%

Each assignment consist of one or two essay-type questions based on passages of the literary texts or topical texts (Aktuelle Texte) discussed in class.

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 longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

2 Grammar Tests

Due: Weeks 6, 11
Weighting: 20%

Each test is based on specific chapters of H. Földeak, Sag’s besser! Students are required to fill in gaps, complete sentences, and write short texts.

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 high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.

Zertifikat C2 materials

Due: Week 12
Weighting: 5%

Students are required to complete one set of practice materials in preparation for the Goethe Institute's international exam "Zertifikat C2". These exercises assess reading comprehension, analytical skills, and grammatical competence at C1-C2 level.

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 longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.

Final Test

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

The final test assesses advanced reading comprehension and writing skills, and students demonstrate analytical and critical thinking. A number of exercises assess the students' knowledge of grammar. The test is based on a revision of the skills acquired during the semester.

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 high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

Delivery and Resources

For all students (campus students and external students), this unit uses iLearn to communicate and for discussion. On iLearn, students will find the detailed unit schedule and all further information. To access GMN414 Advanced German III online please refer to http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

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

Required Texts

·Hans Földeak, Sag's Besser 1, 5^th edition, Munich: Hueber: ISBN 978-3-19-007453-2
·Bernhard Schlink, Der Vorleser, Diogenes: ISBN 9783257229530 (copies will be provided in the seminar)

Recommended Texts

Richard Schmitt und Hilke Dreyer, Lehr- und Übungsbuch der deutschen Grammatik, Munich: Hueber, ISBN 978-3-19-307255-9
Richard Schmitt and Hilke Dreyer, 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

Dictionaries

In this course, you will also need to work with a German dictionary. 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 regularly work with a monolingual dictionary. In a monolingual dictionary, a German word or expression is explained in German. We recommend one such dictionary written for the intermediate and upper intermediate level learner of German:

Götz, D., Haensch, G. & H. Wellmann Langenscheidts Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache Berlin/München: Langenscheidt (latest edition)
A good online dictionary is http://dict.leo.org/

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.

For central technical support go to: http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/
For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/tools-and-resources/ilearn/ilearn-quick-guides-for-students

Unit Schedule

The detailed unit schedule is made available on iLearn.

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:

Academic Appeals Policy
Academic Integrity Policy
Academic Progression Policy
Assessment Policy
Fitness to Practice Procedure
Grade Appeal Policy
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)

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 attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
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 longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
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 longer German texts.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
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 attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
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 longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
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 attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
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 read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
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 read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To gain an appreciation of German culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
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 read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of longer German texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written German through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To develop a critical awareness of issues pertinent to German identity.

Assessment tasks

Film Presentation
2 Assignments
2 Grammar Tests
Zertifikat C2 materials
Final Test

Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

The unit aims at fostering language skills at level C1, described as follows in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): As a proficient user you can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning; express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions; can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes; produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. Students performing with outstanding proficiency will attain language skills as described for Level C2 of the Common European Framework: can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Changes since First Published

Date	Description
27/02/2018	-