95446 - Mediation - German Exercises (Lm)

Learning outcomes

The global aim of this course – which includes lectures and practical language classes – is to provide students with an expert knowledge of theories of international and intercultural communication. The students are expected to be familiar with the socio-cultural and linguistic factors affecting communication between speakers with different cultural backgrounds. They are introduced to techniques and skills which will enable them to mediate conflicts born of intercultural differences, with special regard to German-Italian encounters. Moreover, they are given the opportunity to develop their research competence and presentation skills, both orally and in written form. The language classes aim at improving students’ linguistic competence; over the two year period students’ knowledge of German should reach level C1.2 according to the European framework in all four abilities. These classes will work in connection with the lectures to improve students’ oral and writing skills in particular.

Course contents

Erasmus students intending to attend the course are requested to contact Prof. Rieger (marie.rieger@unibo.it).

The course "Mediation - German" comprises two parts:

1. Lezioni frontali/lectures in linguistics taught by the course professor (prof. Rieger) during the first semester. This component is made up of a total of 60 hours.

2. Esercitazioni di lingua/Language classes - This component is made up of a total of 36 hours taught by Enrico Mina during the second semester.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

The 9 ECTS credits for Mediation German are indivisible and will only be awarded once all the required assessments for both lectures and language courses have been passed (see also below).

All students must complete all partial assessments. Only those whose mother tongue is German or who hold a school-leaving certificate (Abiturzeugnis) issued by a German-speaking institution are exempt from the language course (esercitazioni) assessments.

 

Esercitazioni/Language classes

The language classes aim to consolidate and expand students' language skills, with particular emphasis placed on oral communication skills, and to broaden critical reading skills.

Readings/Bibliography

Readings for the esercitazioni/language course will be announced at the start of the course.

Teaching methods

Both lectures and language classes are interactive in nature, requiring all students to participate actively.

The Esercitazioni/language classes have a seminar-based structure; therefore, students will be required to participate actively in classes and to prepare the indicated study materials to ensure classes run properly throughout the semester.

The addressed Topics are related to intercultural mediation and the cultural competences it depends upon. In particular, topics such as the definition of culture, critical whiteness and "migrantisation" will be covered.

Assessment methods

Please note: AI can be a useful tool to support independent study by providing in-depth analysis, summaries, and self-assessment exercises. With regard to assessment, the use of AI is prohibited during in-person exams. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

 

Esercitazioni/Language classes

The assessment consists of an oral presentation (Referat), to be held during in class at the end of the course. The presentation must explore in depth one of the topics covered during the course. The topic must be agreed in advance with the lecturer.

The assessment will take the following points into account:

1. Content competence
2. Linguistic competence: lexical appropriateness, grammatical accuracy, phonetic accuracy, fluency of delivery, ability to use suitable strategies to overcome communication difficulties.
3. Presentation competence: clarity, degree of independence from the written text, degree of interaction with the audience, ability to adapt to the audience's linguistic competence.

Non-attending students must always prepare and present a Referat during an oral exam session of approximately 30 minutes (arranged individually), following which they will be asked some questions on the topics covered and the texts read during the course.
The topic of the Referat must be agreed in advance with the lecturer.

 

Grades

The final mark of the course “Mediation German” will be the average mark between the lezioni frontali exam's result (counting two times) and the esercitazione mark.

Students may reject the final grade for Mediation German only once. After rejecting the final grade, students must retake all partial exams.

Please note:

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and your professor immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.

Any requests for accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer and copying (Cc) the email address [disabilita@unibo.it](mailto:disabilita@unibo.it ) (in case of disability) or [dsa@unibo.it](mailto:dsa@unibo.it ) (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/marie.rieger/didattica/programma/2026/344943

Office hours

See the website of Maria Antoinette Rieger