78675 - German Linguistics 1 (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 a number of aspects of German linguistics, enabling them not only to communicate effectively in German, but also to think critically about and describe the metalinguistic factors at play in language use. This aim will be achieved by providing students with theoretical knowledge related to one or more of the following areas of German linguistics: phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicology, semantics, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, stylistics and corpus linguistics. The focus of the course will be on real language use, with authentic texts (written and/ or spoken, belonging to different registers) and electronic language corpora used as examples. Language classes aim to improve students’ linguistic competence; over the two year period students’ knowledge of German should reach level C 1.2 according to the European framework in all four abilities. These classes will work in connection with the lectures to improve students’ writing skills in particular.

Course contents

1. The course consists of 60 hours of formal classes (lezioni frontali), during the 1st semester. This course is open for first and second year students of LSC.
Please enrole in this list in:evamaria.thune.german_linguistics_1 https://www.dsa.unibo.it

Analysis of spoken German
The aim of the course is to provide students with the conceptual and methodological basis necessary for analysing spoken German. Using corpora of German oral texts, the main phenomena of spoken language will be examined with the help of sociolinguistic and pragmatic concepts like variety, register, conversational routines and rituals. Students will also be introduced to the tecniques of transcribing spoken German.

Particular attention will be given to different ways of structuring narrations in spoken texts.

All this will be linked to the main subject of this course: language biographies, which will be examined both from the theroretical point of view and also applied to practical research tasks (action research).

The course will include a number of seminars held by visiting scholars (Prof. Busch, Univ. of Vienna, Prof. O'Reilley, Univ. of Cambridge/UK, Prof. Farges, Univ. of Paris-Diderot). These seminars are an integral part of the course and attendance is expected.

2.This course goes together with a language learning course (36 hours, esercitazioni, 1st semester) with Dott. Anna Nissen, please check the official timetable.

The language learning course includes an introduction to the techniques of academic writing in German, focusing on types of text such as thesis/term paper, lecture summaries, project descriptions, etc..

Further information and teaching materials will be made available on the following website:https://lettoratonissen.wordpress.com/

Readings/Bibliography

Busch, Brigitta (2013): Mehrsprachigkeit, Wien (Fakultas).
Duden (2009): Die Grammatik. 9., völlig neu erarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. Hrsg. von der Dudenredaktion. Mannheim u.a., Dudenverlag [Kapitel "Die gesprochene Sprache"].
Maibauer, Jörg (2008): Pragmatik, Tübingen (Stauffenberg) (cfr. IOL)
Schwitalla, Johannes (2012): Gesprochenes Deutsch, Berlin (Schmidt Verlag)
Schwitalla, J. (2000), “Mit Händen und Füßen reden. Sprachliche und nicht-sprachliche Symbolsysteme in der mündlichen Kommunikation”, (cfr. IOL)

http://www.linse.uni-due.de/miteinanderreden/einleitung.htm
http://paul.igl.uni-freiburg.de/gat-to/

More material will be available on the platform IOL.

Language learning course (esercitazioni di lingua)

The material follows the CEFR's theoretical and methodological principles and are suitable for university students. Further information will be given at the beginning of the language learning course.

Teaching methods

lectures and seminar classes, exercises, group activities

Assessment methods

1. Formal classes (with Prof. Thüne)
The exam consists in a presentation of a paper in class (oral exam) which has to be submitted as a written text (Hausarbeit) after the course.
Assessment criteria: capacity of expression (completeness and accuracy of contents), coherence of presentation.

Non-attending students have to take a written and an oral exam about textanalysis; further information on the official website (“Contenuti utili”).

2. Language learning course (Dott.ssa Nissen)
The language learning course involves a written assessment:
- for the participants: a choice between a 'short' written term paper ("Hausarbeit") of 4 pages (cover page, bibliography etc. excluded), on a subject to be agreed with the lecturer, and two lecture or seminar summaries from the main course
- for those who do not attend: a full 6-page written term paper ("Hausarbeit") (cover page, bibliography etc. excluded), on a subject to be agreed with Dott.ssa Nissen.

The final mark for the course “German Linguistics” will be a combination of the exam results from the part held by Prof. Thüne and the part held by Dott. Nissen, with the former counting double.

Students have the right to refuse the final mark for the course and take the whole exam again. Before taking this step students and in particular those about to graduate should be aware that for the practical language part of the course there is only one exam day per session.

Teaching tools

texts and audio and video corpora, power point presentations, exercises and use of internet platforms

Links to further information

http://www.aperandosini.eu/aperandosini/home.html

Office hours

See the website of Eva-Maria Christina Charlotte Thune