BSc German and English Language  

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: German

Module content: This is the core language skills module for first-year students which provides a solid linguistic basis for the coming years of study. The module consists of three parts: a) grammar lecture, revising the major topics of German grammar; b) communication skills seminars, practising written and oral language skills with group work, whole-class work and individual study; and c) an e-learning component comprising listening skills, vocabulary and general knowledge of the German-speaking areas.

Method of learning and teaching: Seminar, group work, individual work, role-play, presentations, self-access learning

Assessment method: Exam (70%), class assignments (20%).

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: 20

Module content: The module provides students with knowledge of nineteenth- and twentieth-century history and area studies as an essential intellectual basis for the modules in the Second and Final years. Landeskunde lectures give students a basic knowledge of the German speaking countries, including geography, political systems, education systems, and aspects of the economy. In the second half of the module students are introduced to major events in German history from the late nineteenth century to the end of National Socialism, and their lasting effects on modern Germany are examined.

Method of learning and teaching: 

2 contact hours per week throughout the academic year.  

Students are taught through task-oriented work; seminar work; lectures; presentations; interpretation of pre-selected source texts; guidance for independent research and focussed academic study skills elements.

Assessment method: Exam (25%), oral presentation (25%), essay (50%), research skills portfolio (pass/fail).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: German

Module content: The topical content areas are determined by respective current events reported in the German news media. These serve as a platform to discuss wider issues in German politics, society, economy and culture. Examples can include elections, public debates, or major events. Students will also be made familiar with the nature and political affiliations of different newspapers and other media.

Method of learning and teaching: Two contact hours per week, to include lecture, seminar, structured discussions, group work, oral presentations, supervision of independent research. 

Assessment method: speech (25%); group discussion (25%; two letters to the editor (50%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: German

Module content: The course deals with the following topics: spoken and written language; standard language; the development of a German standard language; the difference between language and dialect; language policy and language planning; German minority languages and linguistic minorities in Germany; language contact: the example of English borrowings into German.

Assessment method: oral poster presentation (20%), exam (80%).

Number of credits: 20

Module content: In this module, students look at how words are used in written and spoken texts to create meanings, and use dictionaries, corpus analysis and other practical techniques to understand the processes involved, and to analyse words in different ways.

Method of learning and teaching:
Practical exercises Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations Discussions and questions.

Assessment method: Portfolio (30%), and exam (70%).

Number of credits: 20

Module content: This module introduces you to the basics of one model of grammar: Systemic Functional Grammar, including key concepts and terms. It also involves practical workshop activities where you apply in practice what you have learnt in theory.

Method of learning and teaching:
Practical exercises Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations, discussions and questions.

Assessment method: Exam (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module looks at language as it is employed for a variety of purposes in both private and public contexts. It also extends methods of communication to cover non-verbal means whereby messages are conveyed, as substitutes for and supplements to the use of words. Topic areas to be covered will include paralinguistics in interaction and in texts (links between image, gesture and word), language and technology, media language and the language of interpersonal communication.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Lecture-type presentations

• Practical exercises

• Work in pairs and groups

• Discussions and questions

Assessment method: Attendance and participation (20%), 2500-3000 word group project (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module takes a ‘problem-solving’ perspective, locating the study of the English language within an applied linguistic concern for issues ‘in the world’ where language is implicated. It introduces a range of domains in which language itself is a matter of controversy, as well as exploring the concepts needed for informed analysis of the issues at stake. Each week, a specific domain of language practice will be discussed.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Practical exercises
• Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations
• Discussions and questions

Assessment method: Attendance and participation (20%), 1500-2000 word assignment (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module takes a ‘problem-solving’ perspective, locating the study of the English language within an applied linguistic concern for issues ‘in the world’ where language is implicated. It introduces a range of domains in which language itself is a matter of controversy, as well as exploring the concepts needed for informed analysis of the issues at stake. Each week, a specific domain of language practice will be discussed.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Practical exercises
• Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations
• Discussions and questions

Assessment method: Attendance and participation (20%), 1500-2000 word assignment (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: Students will develop an understanding of the interaction between social factors and the language(s) spoken in a given society. They will become familiar with a range of theoretical frameworks for the study of the relationship between language and society, and also acquire the theoretical and descriptive apparatus to enable them to carry out analyses of specific data sets.

Method of learning and teaching: 

• Practical exercises
• Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations
• Discussions and questions

Method of assessment: Attendance and participation (20%), 1000-1500 proposed research project (80%).

In this module, students are introduced to translation from German into English. It consists of two parts: a) textual skills with a focus on differences in grammar and word building in German and English; b) translation practice from German into English focusing on culture-specifics and text conventions.

Assessment method: grammar and vocabulary exam and translation exam

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: German

Module content: The module concentrates on specific topic areas in German society, culture, politics, and economy since 1990 (‘Berlin Republic’). These include, for example, reunification problems, elections, and multiculturalism. The topic areas chosen in a given year are related to current affairs. Students are given the opportunity to apply the tools and knowledge-base acquired in Teaching Period 1 (Postwar Germany) to critically engage with, and keep informed about, German current affairs.

Method of learning and teaching: Weekly two-hour classes, to include lecture elements, seminars, structured discussions, group work, oral presentations.

Assessment method: Essay (75%), group-discussion (25%).

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: German

Module content: This module consolidates and develops the first-year work on all aspects of German language, using a variety of formats including class discussion, small-group or individual projects, and guided self-study. The module has two components: a) academic writing and communication skills in German; b) a set of independent learning tasks delivered by e-learning.

Method of learning and teaching: Seminars, group work, individual work, role-play, presentations, self-access learning (especially in the ILT component).

Students are encouraged to watch German TV or listen to German radio on a regular basis. A list of the main newspapers, radio stations and TV-channels accessed via the Internet will be provided.  

Assessment method: written examination (50%), oral presentation (25%), oral exam (25%), essay and portfolio of self-study materials (pass/fail).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: German

Module content: This module follows on from the Level One history course and provides students with solid knowledge and understanding of Germany from 1945 to the present day. The focus is on major events and themes of post-war history along with contemporary German politics, society, economy and culture. Topic areas include nationhood, division and reunification, the German political system and Germany’s place in Europe and the world.

Method of learning and teaching: Weekly two-hour lectures, to include structured discussion, buzz groups, team-work.

Assessment method: Group presentation (20%), written exam (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: German

Module content: This seminar opens up perspectives on the second German-speaking country, with special reference to the similarities and dissimilarities between Austria and Germany. It thus develops the knowledge acquired in German History and Society (Level One) and Post war Germany (Level Two), and increases students’ awareness of the role of regional differences. Topics covered include Austrian political history, Austrian language and culture, and contemporary Austrian society.

Method of learning and teaching: Lecture, seminar, oral presentations, guided study of original documents and texts, supervised research, consultation for essay preparation

Assessment method: 2000-word essay in German (80%), class presentation with handout (20%).

This module has a dual aim: to introduce students to the techniques and applications of discourse analysis as a way of studying language in use, and to improve their understanding of authentic spoken German. In seminar work, the methods of linguistic fieldwork – collecting and transcribing spoken language data – are introduced and students are helped to find ways of analysing and evaluating the results. Each student creates and carries out a fieldwork project consisting of a transcription of authentic data and its analysis.

Assessment method: 2000-word project in German.

Number of credits: 10

Module content: Topics covered include: What is research?; Action Research and Ethnography; Collecting spoken data; Transcribing data; Using electronic resources; Questionnaires; Ethical issues in research; Reading week; Quantitative Analysis; Writing a research report; Review of the Module.

Method of learning and teaching: 

• lecture-type presentation

• practical exercises

• work in pairs or groups,

• discussions and questions

Assessment method: Students will be required to submit a completed task or tasks totalling the equivalent of 1,800 words. The nature of the task or tasks will be notified in week 3, and may include exercises in areas such as the specification of a research question, outline research design, transcript analysis, the manipulation of qualitative and quantitative data, and/orshort answer responses to set questions. (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module aims toinvestigate the ways in which English functions in society; to introduce you to phonology; and to introduce you to research methods in sociolinguistics.

It covers topics such as : contemporary accents and dialects of English in England; varieties of English across the world; Global English and written and spoken English,  within the context of variation theory and other sociolinguistic theories.

Method of learning and teaching: Students are expected to familiarise themselves quickly with the general literature, and then go on to more specialised reading in preparation for their own investigation based upon fieldwork. In weeks 1-10 there will be a lecture, followed by (e-)seminars. Week 11 is reserved for Fieldwork and Week 12 for individual Consultations (appointments on demand during normal session hours).

Assessment method: 1,500 word analysis of spoken data, accompanied by a 500 word transcript (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: The module will consist of a series of seminar sessions which will support groups of students in running a small research project.  The groups of 6-8 students will be responsible for designing a research project and data collection strategy, collecting the data and adopting an appropriate strategy for analysing the results.  With support from tutors, they will also be responsible for managing the project workloads within the group. 

Method of learning and teaching: Seminars.

Assessment method: 2000 word written research report (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module aims to introduce you to the ways in which media texts both reflect and construct our social practice and values. It addresses a range of issues, such as what makes something newsworthy, whether there is objectivity in news reporting, whether different social groups are equally represented in mass media texts, and what part visual images and layout play in our media messages; and it introduces you to a variety of methods for describing and critically evaluating media texts in relation to these issues.

Method of learning and teaching: Weekly core readings will be assigned and supporting readings recommended to enable students to familiarise themselves with and consolidate their understanding of concepts introduced in lectures. Workshops will be devoted to practising analytical skills and discussing the implications of the practical descriptions that are produced. Weeks 11 and 12 are set aside for work towards the module assessment, a case study (based on an analysis of independently collected data) of a topic agreed in consultation with the tutor.

Assessment method: Participation in workshop exercises and contributions to discussion (20%). 2,000 – 2,500 word case study on a topic agreed in guided consultation with the tutor (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This is an introductory course to TESOL. By the end of the module, the students will have become aware of the basic requirements of a teacher of English to speakers of other languages. They will have had the chance to develop some of the skills necessary for the TESOL teacher. The emphasis will be on developing the skills, organisational and pedagogical, which will allow them to teach or tutor their specialism.  The areas covered will be course and syllabus design, materials evaluation and preparation, strategies for teaching lexis and grammar, lesson planning, delivery and evaluation.

Method of learning and teaching:  

• Lesson planning, practice and evaluation

• Materials design and evaluation

Assessment method: Group work (50%), open book written exam (50%).

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: German and English

Module content: In this module, students work on aspects of written and spoken German at an advanced level. The module has four components: a) translation from German into English; b) debates; c) genre-specific writing with a focus on accuracy and style; abstracting from German into English with a focus on accurate reading and the skills of linguistic mediation; d) independent learning using a structured set of advanced grammar exercises to improve accuracy in German.

Method of learning and teaching: Seminars, group-work, individual study. 

Assessment method: translation into English (25%), group debate (15%), written report in German (10%), three-hour examination (50%) and a portfolio of grammar work (pass/fail).

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: German

Module content: This module runs through the whole of the final year and draws together the skills students have acquired throughout the programme. It involves choosing a research topic from the areas of German history, politics, economics, language or culture; researching this; and writing it up in an extended essay in academic German. The written project is complemented by an oral defence of the project in German. Students attend weekly seminars on research skills and individual supervision tutorials.

Method of learning and teaching: Plenary sessions will provide information on the expectations for an LTS dissertation and viva and will present objectives, methodology, and a timetable for the module. These sessions will be supplemented by individual and group meetings between supervisors and students. It is the responsibility of the student to comply with deadlines set by the supervisor.

Assessment method: research project (5,000-6,000 words) and viva.

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: German

Module content: This module develops students’ ability to analyse film in a socio-historical context. It aims to deepen understanding and appreciation of film as an art form and as a medium to express and reflect discourses on German history as well as current social developments in Germany. Currently, the module focuses on the cinematic portrayal of German division and unification. It touches on questions of memory politics and introduces students to relevant theoretical concepts in that area.

Method of learning and teaching: Four two-hour seminars will introduce the students to the topic, will provide further input in the shape of background information and a theoretical framework and will give students the opportunity to discuss the films they have watched independently. Students will watch films on a fortnightly basis and complete written assignments (set via Blackboard) applying their knowledge of both film theory and of contemporary German society. Students will also evaluate examples of film criticism from German newspapers and will produce their own film reviews.   

Assessment method: 2-hour written, video based examination at the end of the Teaching Period (50%), 5 written tasks to be completed during teaching time, in weeks without seminars (10% each).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: German

Module content: This module builds on the level 2 Post war Germany module as well as first-hand experience acquired during the Year Abroad. Students enhance their familiarity with the popular culture of Germany and Austria from a variety of perspectives: art, literature, music, media, society, politics, and philosophy.

Methods of learning and teaching: Weekly seminars, which will involve a variety of learning activities such as group work, individual work, guided study in preparation for the assessed essay.

Assessment method: Essay (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: In this module, students learn the key concepts and terminology of corpus linguistics and how to use corpus tools to conduct research into language in use, and look at some areas of applied linguistics in which corpora are used, such as lexicography, pedagogy, and translation.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Practial exercises
• Individual work and work in pairs or groups
• Discussions and questions

Assessment method: 2000 assignment (50%), practical project report (50%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module will provide an introduction to key approaches to the analysis of authentic spoken language in interaction.It will give you an overview of how conversations are ‘constructed’ and the relationship between what is said and what is meant, as well as some of the ways in which these two crucial aspects vary according to context and culture. It will therefore equip you to describe and evaluate a range of types of spoken text in English, and will enable you to anticipate and resolve issues of data collection and transcription, including ethical considerations.

Method of learning and teaching: Lecture, seminar, e-seminar, project preparation with consultation.

Assessment method: 2500 word research project (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module will focus on one specialist area of Applied Linguistics, the application of the tools and techniques of language description to spoken and written texts which have a significance in court cases. The module will look at topics such as: techniques for authorship attribution; questions of copyright and the detection of plagiarism; disputed police records of interview and confession; suspect suicide notes; and anonymous letters.

Method of learning and teaching: Lecture, workshop analysis and discussion, project preparation with consultation.

Assessment method: Participation in workshop exercises and contributions to discussion (20%), 3,000 word research project (80%).

Number of credits: 20

Module content: This course aims to enable students to research in significant depth a topic in English Language, and address, elaborate and apply key concepts used in the linguistic analysis of discourse, in professional, social, educational and/or cultural institutions and contexts. The dissertation allows students to undertake supervised research on a topic that is new to them. It is the longest and most sustained piece of research undertaken in the English Language part of their degree programme.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Research supervision meetings as indicated throughout Teaching Periods 1 and 2, as decided by supervisor and student.

• Students are expected to familiarise themselves quickly with the general literature and sources relating to their area, and then go on to more specialised reading in preparation of their chosen topic.

• Throughout the two Teaching Periods, the supervisor will provide advice on the dissertation.

Assessment method: Dissertation, 4,000-6,000 words (80%); research Proposal (20%).