UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Confirmation that this version of the module specification has been approved by the School
Learning and Teaching Committee:
……… A. Stähler, 01 JUN 2015……….(date)
MODULE SPECIFICATION
1.
Title of the module
GE503/GE600 – Learning German 5
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the
module
School of European Culture and Languages (German)
3.
Start date of the module
September 1994 (Revised for September 2015)
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
20-30
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and
consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
6.
The level of the module (e.g. Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, or Level 7)
Level 6
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
GE503 – 30 (15 ECTS); GE600 – 30 (15 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn and Spring
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
GE507 – Learning German 4 or equivalent.
GE503 is required for students who pursue a degree in German. It is open to bilingual
students with secondary education in a German speaking country, and German native
speakers.
GE600 can only be taken by students who have been dispensed from the Year Abroad
(LA514) or who have failed the Year Abroad. Native speakers of German are required to
take GE500/562. Any bilingual students with secondary education in a German speaking
country who have been dispensed from the Year Abroad (LA514) will be evaluated to
determine whether or not the extra work involved in GE600 is of benefit to them.
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
All German Single Honours, Joint Honours, and related programmes
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
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On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
11.1 Demonstrate consolidated and extended translation skills. This is done via
exposure to a selection of texts covering a range of registers and topic areas,
including the journalistic and the literary.
11.2 Demonstrate consolidated and extended ability to accurately recognise and use a
range of registers in German, and gain enhanced sensitivity to the equivalent
English registers.
11.3 Demonstrate perfected linguistic skills by means of studying grammatical and
lexical subtleties of the German language.
11.4 Analyse and gain a deeper understanding of concepts (both linguistic and
cultural), and the complex relation between such concepts, in both German and
English.
11.5 Demonstrate the benefit of having had regular oral practice in German on an
extensive range of topics, including academic topics, at an advanced level.
In addition, students registered for GE600 will be able to:
11.6 Demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of the theoretical and practical
problems involved with translation from English into German and vice versa.
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
12.1 Demonstrate consolidated and extended ability to identify and analyse concepts,
and the relation between concepts, in both the target language and English.
12.2 Demonstrate the ability to converse in the target language on a range of topics,
including academic topics, at an advanced level.
12.3 Demonstrate enhanced skills of oral as well as written presentation and selfexpression.
12.4 Demonstrate the ability to engage in independent study and research through a
variety of methods (including the use of dictionaries and grammars).
12.5 Demonstrate advanced translation skills
In addition, students registered for GE600 will be able to:
12.6 Demonstrate advanced written compositional skills in the target language.
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
The module develops advanced proficiency in writing, speaking and comprehending
German. It concentrates on translation into German and English and the development of
analytical skills in the production of written and spoken German. Translation exercises
confront students with a variety of advanced texts in different styles and registers, and
encourage accuracy and critical reflection as well as acquisition and consolidation of
grammatical structures. The language skills component combines discursive writing on
advanced topics with the development of proper oral competence through discussion.
Conversation classes with a native speaker develop presentational ability, and enable
students to speak fluently and idiomatically at the advanced level.
For students who are studying GE503:
Students engage in the following activities throughout the year:
• translation (language mediation) from German into English, using a range of registers
and topics
• translation (language mediation) from English into German, using journalistic and
literary texts
• study of the grammatical and lexical subtleties of the German language
• group discussion on specific topics
• preparation for oral exam in small groups
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
For students who are studying GE600:
Students of German who did not spend a year abroad in a German-speaking country are
nevertheless expected to achieve a near-native level of German by the end of their degree.
Familiarity with the language, as spoken and written at professional level – for example in
journalism or literature – is expected, together with a well-stocked vocabulary, a reasonable
command of idiom in common use and a sense of linguistic appropriateness to context.
Students engage in the following activities throughout the year:
• translation from German into English, using a range of registers and topics
• translation from English into German, using journalistic and literary texts
• study of the grammatical and lexical subtleties of the German language
• group discussion on specific topics
• preparation for oral exam in small groups
• written composition in German
14. Indicative Reading List
Duden-Verlag Deutsches Universalwörterbuch, Neue Rechtschreibung (most recent
edition) (Mannheim: Duden)
Hammer’s German Grammar and Usage (most recent edition) (Oxford: Routledge)
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours
and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to
achievement of the intended module learning outcomes
For students who are studying GE503:
4 workshop contact hours per week for 20 weeks;
Total contact hours: 80.
Total hours of self-study: 220.
Additional, optional, study material is available in the Multi-Media Labs.
Total study hours 300.
Methods:
Translation seminars in both directions (11.1-5; 12.1-2, 12.4-5)
Group work and development of team working ability (11.1-5; 12.1, 12.5)
Discussion of prepared texts, discussion of presentations and translations (11.1-5; 12.3-5)
Guided conversation in German with native speakers (11.2, 11.5; 12.3)
For students who are studying GE600:
4 workshop contact hours per week for 20 weeks;
Total contact hours: 80.
Total hours of self-study: 220.
Additional, optional, study material is available in the Multi-Media Labs.
Total study hours 300.
Methods:
Translation seminars in both directions (11.1-6; 12.1-2, 12.4)
Group work and development of team working ability (11.1-6; 12.1, 12.5)
Discussion of prepared texts, discussion of presentations and translations (11.6; 12.3-5)
Guided conversation in German with native speakers (11.2, 11.5; 12.3); discussion of
compositional skills (12.6).
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended
module learning outcomes
For students of GE503: 50% coursework, 50% examination
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The coursework will consist of:
6 x in-class tests, addressing outcomes (11.1-2, 11.4-6; 12.1, 12.3-4)
4 x translation exercises, addressing outcomes (11.1, 11.3-5; 12.2, 12.4-5)
All 10 assessments are equally weighted (5% each, 50% in total)
The examination will consist of a written paper (35%) and an oral examination (15%)
The written paper will comprise three equally weighted sections testing translation into
English, translation into German and language skills (11.1-5; 12.3-4)
The oral examination, in which students will present and discuss a suitable topic of their
choosing, will address outcomes (11.2-5; 12.2-3, 12.5)
For students of GE600: 50% coursework, 50% examination
The coursework will consist of:
1 x 1,500 word composition in German (10%) (11.2-4, 11.6; 12.3-4)
6 x in-class tests, addressing outcomes (11.1-2, 11.4-6; 12.1, 12.3-4)
4 x translation exercises, addressing outcomes (11.1, 11.3-5; 12.2, 12.4-5)
The in-class tests and translation exercises are equally weighted (4% each, 40% in total)
The examination will consist of a written paper (35%) and an oral examination (15%)
The written paper will comprise three equally weighted sections testing translation into
English, translation into German and language skills (11.1-6; 12.3-4)
The oral examination, in which students will present and discuss a suitable topic of their
choosing, will address outcomes (11.2-6; 12.2-3, 12.5)
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
None
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability
equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special
educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable
adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials,
teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared
disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’s
disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist support will be provided where
needed.
19. Campus(es) or Centre(s) where module will be delivered:
Canterbury
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