B2520 - Language and Culture of German-Speaking Countries (First Language) II

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students will be familiar with the variety and complexity of the cultural systems of German-speaking countries; they will be able to understand and produce a wide range of complex written texts and oral discourse in German, expressing themselves fluently and spontaneously. The skills acquired at the end of the second year correspond approximately to level C1.

Course contents

The course, continuing on from the first year, aims to consolidate good/excellent active and passive knowledge of morphological, syntactic, and lexical structures, applied to both oral and written communication in standard varieties of German, and adopts a discursive approach: students develop language skills through guided exploration of relevant topics and themes such as culture, current affairs, science, or art, with an emphasis on vocabulary and pragmatics useful in real-life contexts. Through debates, presentations, group work, and guided reflection, students develop linguistic autonomy, intercultural awareness, and metacognitive skills in discourse management.

As part of these activities, Artificial Intelligence tools will also be used to support the learning of German as a second language, to facilitate language practice, the writing and revision of texts, and the development of students’ autonomy, while promoting a critical, informed, and ethically responsible use of digital technologies.

Readings/Bibliography

Altmayer, Claus (Hg.) (2016): Mitreden. Diskursive Landeskunde für Deutsch als Fremd­- und Zweitsprache. Stuttgart.

Moraldo, Sandro M./Soffritti, Marcello (Hg.) (2004): Deutsch aktuell. Einführung in die Tendenzen der deutschen Gegenwartssprache, Roma.

Moraldo, Sandro M. (Hg.) (2009): Inter­net.kom. Sprach- und Kommunikationsformen im WorldWideWeb, Band 1: Kommunikationsplattformen, Roma.

Moraldo, Sandro M. (Hg.) (2011): Inter­net.kom. Sprach- und Kommunikationsformen im WorldWideWeb, Band 2: Medialität, Hypertext, digitale Literatur, Roma.

Moraldo, Sandro M. (Hg.) (2011): Deutsch aktuell 2. Einführung in die Tenden­zen der deutschen Gegenwartssprache, Roma.

Teaching methods

The course will partly (especially at the beginning) consist of lectures in the classroom, alternating (later on) with moments of direct experimentation by students through the production of papers to be discussed in class.

The teaching and learning process is dynamic and requires the active participation of students.

In view of the type of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires the prior participation of all students in modules 1 and 2 of training on safety in the workplace, [https://elearning-sicurezza.unibo.it/] in e-learning mode.

Assessment methods

The exam, which is oral in all sessions, will focus on the topics covered during the semester. The final assessment will verify whether the entire complex activity, as well as the way in which it was organized and the resources that were used, allowed for the full achievement of the predefined goals above.

Grading scale

30-30L: Excellent level. The candidate possesses excellent translation skills, with a very high level of competence in the target language.

27-29: Above average level. The candidate makes only minor errors, and shows a solid command of the required skills and competences.

24–26: Generally sound level. The candidate displays a number of shortcomings, indicating a reasonable command of the required skills and competences.

21-23: Adequate level. The candidate displays significant shortcomings and only an adequate command of the required skills and competences.

18–20: Minim level. The candidate only meets the minimum level required and shows a minimal command of the required skills and competences.

< 18 Fail: The candidate does not meet the required standard and shows a wholly inadequate command of the required skills and competences.

Teaching tools

The course makes use of new media (e.g., audio and video podcasts), PowerPoint presentations, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools to support teaching, learning, and in-depth exploration of the course content. AI may be used, where appropriate, for activities such as the production of instructional materials, the summarization and analysis of texts, the creation of exercises, and study support—always under the supervision of the instructor and in accordance with the principles of transparency, academic integrity, and the responsible use of technology.
All materials used during class and relevant to exam preparation will be available online on the E-Learning platform Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Sandro Moraldo