General provisions

The course is an independent course. The course syllabus was adopted by the Board of the Faculty of Languages on 16 November 2006.

Entry requirements

Satisfied requirements for a Degree of Bachelor with German as main field of study, or 120 credits, 90 credits of which are in German, including a degree project.

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide an advanced knowledge of the German language and German literature, as well as familiarity with linguistic and literary-critical methods and problems.

Upon completing the course, students should:

• be able to give an account of the development of the German language in a political, theological, media-historical and general cultural-historical context

• have an ability to read Middle High German texts and New High German texts from the 16th and 17th centuries

• have an advanced understanding of the history of German literature and a basic knowledge of the relationship between literature and the public sphere

• have an increased knowledge of literary-critical concepts and of literary theory

• be able to independently carry out and present a study in writing with relatively advanced aspirations regarding scientific method and approach

Content

The course consists of the following three modules:

Module 1. Thematic course in German linguistics - historical aspects (7.5 credits)

Central texts from various historical epochs are discussed in a series of seminars to illustrate linguistic, political, theological and media-historical development processes.

Written and/or oral test.

Upon completing the module, students will

• be able to give an account of language-internal and language-external causes of linguistic changes

• have a certain understanding of the cultural, political, religious and literary situation in the Middle Ages and the Reformation era

• be familiar with basic features of the linguistic structure of Middle High German and Early New High German

• have an understanding of the rhetorical function of texts in different historical contexts

Module 2. Literature and the public sphere (7.5 credits)

The history of German literature is discussed in a series of seminars focusing on various aspects of the dissemination of literature, such as publishing systems, bookstores, literary criticism in magazines and other media, as well as the role of literature within the scope of cultural transfer processes.

Continuous assessment in connection with the teaching and a final written assignment.

Upon completing the module, students will

• have an extensive knowledge of the history of German literature from the Enlightenment onwards, with a particular focus on contemporary literature

• have an understanding of how literature and cultural-historical views are connected with different aspects of dissemination

• be able to give an account of the development of German literary criticism and the relationship between literature and the public sphere

• have a good knowledge of literary-critical concepts and an understanding of modern literary theory

Module 3. Degree Project (15 credits)

An independent project on a theme in German linguistics or literature. The work is presented in the form of a thesis in German comprising about 25 pages.

The work on the independently completed assignment starts with compulsory seminars and concludes with a seminar where the thesis is presented and discussed. Regular review sessions with the supervisor are organised in the course of the semester.

The student's defence of their own work is compulsory.

In grading, both the contents and the student's ability to apply a scientific working method are assessed, as well as the formal and linguistic achievement. Account is also taken of review and defence.

Upon completing the module, students will

• be able independently to carry out and present in writing a study in German linguistics or literature meeting stringent requirements for a scientific method and approach. During the course, students should achieve the following:

- familiarity with a subject area

- a good ability to engage in theoretical and methodological reflection

- a good ability to seek information in the field of German linguistics or literature

- substantial independence in formulating questions, carrying out analysis and presenting research results

- an extensive mastery of the formal requirements that apply to a scientific presentation

Instruction

See above under Content.

Assessment

The following grades may be awarded: Pass with Distinction, Pass or Fail. To obtain the final grade Pass with distinction for the whole course, the grade Pass with distinction is required in modules worth a total of at least 22.5 credits.

Students who do not achieve a passing grade on the regular examination will have another opportunity to take the examination within a reasonable period of time after the first examination.