97605 German Today

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Description

This subject involves in-depth study of contemporary cultural, social and political issues of German speaking societies. Students are provided with a variety of support material that assist them in understanding and discussing issues related to the contemporary history and culture of German speaking societies within a national and international context. They are given various opportunities and platforms to further advance their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in German.

Students take active part in developing subject content and learning activities to practise and consolidate their language skills. By the end of the session students are expected to be able to express themselves effectively and spontaneously on a variety of topics explored in class.

This subject corresponds to Level B1+ (independent user) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Council of Europe).

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):

• Understand and employ effective strategies to operate within professional and everyday settings across diverse cultures in Australia and/or internationally. (INT.1.1)
• Evaluate critically theoretical and specialised knowledge of contemporary societies, cultures and workplaces. (INT.2.1)
• Communicate effectively and appropriately in an additional language for everyday and professional purposes. (INT.3.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject uses a communicative approach in class to maximise students' potential for effective communication in the target language. A series of activities such as interactive activities working in pairs, small and large groups and/or presentations, are promoted in class to enhance students' engagement through content-based learning. Preparation for class activities requires students to complete exercises and reading/listening/viewing activities prior to class to make effective use of resources and subject material (including resources online), community and peer resources available to them to support their learning.

Students are encouraged to customise their learning experience as per the Global German approach to promote their engagement with German-speaking peoples and societies. This entails keeping in mind their goals for the use of German (for instance studying abroad or travel in a particular country or region) and tailoring their practice and learning to maximize exposure to local variants of the language, relevant cultural norms and authentic materials from the area.

As part of an immersive approach to language education, students are encouraged to use the target language within the classroom environment and to build confidence to use the target language outside the classroom. The approximate time commitment expected from students is 12 hours per week, including class time.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Listening and Writing

Assessment task 2: Oral Skills - Referat

Assessment task 3: Project

Minimum requirements

Attendance at tutorials is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential work-shopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. A roll will be taken at each class. If you are late to class and not present when the roll is taken, it is your responsibility to tell your tutor at the end of that class so that your attendance can be recorded. Please note that if you are more than 30 minutes late, you will be noted as absent. Students must attend at least 85% of their classes. Students who fail to do so will be refused the opportunity to submit their final assessment (see Rule 3.8). In order to pass this subject, students must earn an overall total of 50 marks or more.

Required texts

Materials will be posted to Canvas or distributed in class.

Videos and other audio-visual materials assigned will be posted (and linked to) Canvas.

Recommended texts

Students should be aware of the Policies and Procedures for Assessment of Coursework Subjects: http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/assessment-coursework-policy.html, http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/assessment-coursework-procedures.html

References

• Dreyer et al (1998) Lehr- und Übungsbuch der deutschen Grammatik, Verlag für Deutsch
• Hall et al (1995) Übungsgrammatik für Fortgeschrittene, Verlag für Deutsch (Lösungsschlüssel erhältlich)
• Strutz, H 501 German Verbs Barron’s Educational Series
• Zorach, C. (2000) English Grammar for Students of German Olivia and Hill Press

Dictionaries

• Duden Deutsches Universal Wörterbuch Duden
• Gütz et al Grosswörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache Langenscheidt PC Bibliothek CD-ROM Langenscheidt
• Terrell, P and Koplek, H. Collins German Concise Dictionary Harper Collins
• Wahrig Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache dtv Wahrig
  

Other resources

Experiencing German Language and Culture in Sydney
Students are encouraged to experience aspects of German language and culture through various sources in Sydney. Here are just a few examples:

SBS Radio and Television
SBS television broadcasts movies and documentaries from all over the world. Check their website for information on programs in German or about German –speaking countries: www.sbs.com.au German Language Programs in German are broadcast on SBS radio on Sydney AM: 1107 and FM: 97.7. Again check SBS’s websites for up-to-date program details.

German Language News: Deutsche Welle TV
SBS regularly presents “Das Journal”, the German news, weekdays at 8:00 am.

Deutsche Welle Radio
ABC New Radio (AM 630) occasionally broadcasts programs from Deutsche Welle Radio (in English). Check the ABC website for program schedules (www.abc.net.au).

The Goethe Institut
The Goethe Institut is the German Culture Centre in Sydney and is located in 90 Ocean St, Woollahra. The Goethe Institut organises concerts, conferences, language classes and exhibitions as well as sponsors numerous culture events in Sydney. They also have an InfoSpace & Gallery where you can find a comprehensive collection of German newspapers and magazines, free internet access, all day German TV and changing exhibitions. www.goethe.de/ins/au/syd/ (click on either the German or Australian flag icons for German or English language versions of the website).

UTS Library
The UTS library holds a variety of German Language and Culture related resources available for loan or in Closed Reserve. Students can access these from the catalogue using, for instance, “German language” as the keywords. The course number can also be used to identify resources in Closed Reserve.

Many library resources are available to you online via the Library’s web site http://www.lib.uts.edu.au