Module: German Language Culture & Text

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	German Language Culture & Text
Module Code	GER1027 (ITS: GE373)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Pitched at advanced level, this module aims to prepare BEdLan students for their Semester Abroad both linguistically and culturally, by means of a variety of different text types, registers and media relevant to the university experience in the German-speaking countries, in both academic, administrative and social contexts. The module assists students in further developing their productive and receptive language skills and also focuses on deepening (inter)cultural knowledge. GE373 will also encourage the development of a range of transferable and life-long learning skills such as digital literacy and critical thinking. The module is taught through the target language.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand and extract information and opinions from a wide range of texts, conversations, multimodal documents for social, administrative and academic purposes;
2. Express him-/herself effectively and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions and grammatical features and adapt the language register according to the situation;
3. Follow discipline-related lectures, varied interactions between third parties, native and non-native speakers in group discussions;
4. Express personal opinions on a topic in an interactive manner in oral discussions with a level of fluency and accuracy appropriate for this level and produce clear, well-structured texts;
5. Demonstrate critical thinking on the topics covered throughout the module and also on tasks carried out individually and with peers;
6. Make effective use of digital tools and resources for language learning and language use.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	12	Synchronous timetabled sessions are interactive and learner-centred. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion and contribute to class and small group discussions.
Independent Study	50	Students are expected to take responsibility and engage autonomously in a variety of activities required to successfully complete the course: CA preparation and completion, self-planned interaction with classmates to complete collaborative tasks, study of the subject matter using textbooks and online learning resources/tools, revision of content and feedback, consultation with teachers when needed, keeping up to date with course information and announcements, reflection and analysis of work.
Fieldwork	63	Preparation for the seminars and practice in asynchronous classes is essential in order to successfully engage and follow the class; this includes reading/watching the required materials before the session and completing any assigned homework.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10765	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Olga Springer	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Written production.	15%	n/a
Presentation	Oral presentation with handout and glossary.	30%	n/a
Oral Examination	Engage in an oral interaction on topics covered in the course.	30%	n/a
Assignment	Written production.	25%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative content and learning activities
Students will engage in a variety of comprehension, production and interaction activities, both individually and collaboratively, to develop their proficiency in the target language. Students will work on the use of grammar and vocabulary in context and explore essential notions about the target cultures as they arise in the context of selected themes. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own language learning by looking for language learning opportunities and engaging in language practice beyond the scheduled weekly seminars.

This module is organised around weekly timetabled seminars in which students both as a class and in small groups will engage in communicative practice. In addition to the content covered during these sessions, specific complementary individual and group activities are required to be completed in a timely fashion before the meetings to maximize learning during the session and after the session to consolidate and elaborate on the material covered in class.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None