30619 - German Language (LM)

Learning outcomes

The students are expected to develop an extensive knowledge of linguistic and discursive structures of the German language, in both synchronic and diachronic terms, and to be able to apply them profitably to textual analysis and translation.

Through practical exercises, their communicative skills (both active and passive) will progress towards the C2 level of the Common European Framework.

Course contents

The course consists of the following two learning activities:

1. lectures (60 hours), given by Rita Luppi;

2. language exercises (36 hours), given by Dr. Christiane von Stumpfeldt, collaborator and native speaker language expert of German.

Regular and active participation in both activities is highly recommended.

The course will be held in the second semester.

 

Contents:

- The aim of the course is to deepen the students' knowledge of the lexical-semantical, textual and discursive structures of the German language. With this respect, we will analyse, among others, texts belonging to different text typologies in order to reflect on their pragmatic, communicative, structural and lexical characteristics; moreover, we will discuss the discursive strategies used.

- The exercises will be dedicated to the development of linguistic structures, comprehension and oral expression.

Readings/Bibliography

Lectures:

1. Brinker, K./Cölfen, H./Pappert, S. (2018): Linguistische Textanalyse. Eine Einführung in Grundbegriffe und Methoden. Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag.

2. Schwarz-Friesel, M./Consten, M. (2014): Einführung in die Textlinguistik. WBG. [chapters 1-4]

3. Materials made available on Virtuale.

Further information will be given during the course of the course. 

 

Language exercises:The textbook in use will be "Akademie Deutsch B2+" and "Akademie Deutsch B2+ Zusatzmaterial", Hueber Verlag. Students are requested to obtain these volumes for the beginning of the lessons.

 

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, exercises; the course will involve the active participation and regular attendance of students.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of two parts:

1. Lectures (Rita Luppi): The final written exam (120 min.; only paper monolingual dictionary allowed) will be composed of:

• theoretical questions on the contents of the lectures part;
• a part of textual analysis on the basis of the analysis methods discussed and acquired during the course.

Assessment criteria: capacity of expression, completeness and accuracy of contents.

2. Language exercises (Christiane von Stumpfeldt): Examination of the lexical and grammatical structures characteristic of the textual types dealt with. Further information on the final test will be provided at the beginning of the course.

 

PLEASE NOTE that, in order to be able to validate the examination, both tests (language exercises and lectures) must be taken and passed. Students can choose in which order to take them. Only the overall mark can be rejected; if the mark is rejected, both tests must be retaken.

 

In calculating the overall grade for the course, the ratio is 2/3 for the part of the lectures and 1/3 for the part of the exercises.

Teaching tools

Power Point presentations, texts, exersises.

Office hours

See the website of Rita Luppi