Module overview
The main aim of this course is to explore and assess the contemporary importance of the German language, both within the so-called German-speaking countries and in the wider world. We shall identify key sociolinguistic issues as they relate to German-speaking societies, and investigate how policies and practices vary from one society to another.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- plan and prepare individual and joint seminar presentations;
- work effectively alone and in collaboration with others to solve problems and/or carry out a task
- produce writing in appropriate genres and to required conventions, including referencing and identification;
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- multilingualism in German-speaking countries;
- language and national identities in German-speaking countries;
- the status of German as an international language;
- public debates on language issues in Germany.
- linguistic and sociolinguistic consequences of contact between German and other languages;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- identify and describe examples of key sociolinguistic concepts in relation to contemporary German;
- evaluate arguments in the relevant German secondary literature;
- analyse primary data (e.g. written texts, interview transcripts);
- make connections between what you read about German contexts and your own experience as a learner of German;
Syllabus
The first part of the course considers the position of German in the world: the importance of the geo-political position of the German-speaking countries in the centre of Europe and the status of German as an international language. The second part explores social, linguistic and political consequences of multilingualism in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The final part focuses on language change and public attitudes towards language use in German-speaking countries.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching method:
- 1 weekly double seminar
Learning activities include
- doing specified reading tasks;
- preparing individual and joint presentations;
- conducting online and library research.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Teaching | 24 |
Independent Study | 126 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Stevenson, P.; Horner, K.;Langer;N.;Reershemius, G. (2018). The German-speaking world: a practical introduction to sociolinguistic issues. London: Routledge/Taylor&Francis.
Ammon, U (2019). The position of the German language in the world. London: Routledge.
Johnson, S.; Braber, N. (2008). Exploring the German Language. Asser Press.
Rash, F (1998). The German Language in Switzerland.
Barbour, S. & Carmichael, C. (eds) (2000). Language and Nationalism in Europe.
Horner, K.; Weber, J.-J. (2017). Introducing Multilingualism : A Social Approach. Taylor & Francis.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
1 essay and 1 empirical task
The empirical task is conducted in small groups of 3-4 students. The assessment is in 2 parts: (a) a group oral presentation with a single, common mark awarded to the whole group; (b) an individual written report , with each member of the group submitting their own report and receiving an individual mark.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 50% |
Group project with supporting report | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Empirical Project | 50% |
Essay | 50% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Empirical Project | 50% |
Essay | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External