Module: German Language, Business & Society

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	German Language, Business & Society
Module Code	GER1036 (ITS: GE498)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

The module consists of two units: German Business and Society in a Globalized World (Unit 1) and Ethics (Unit 2). In Unit 1, the module seeks to introduce students to a range of aspects of life and work in German-speaking countries in the context of globalization. Unit 2 aims to explore the meanings of moral concepts and the methods supporting ethical standards and institutions in economic, political and social spheres in the context of German-speaking countries. It also aims to enable students to recognise, identify and evaluate the nature of moral conflicts in their current and future work environments. A number of advanced grammar aspects will be covered. Students will focus on both productive and receptive language skills in their exploration of the module themes. All language contact in this module takes place through the target language.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand in detail complex information from articles and reports concerned with business and/or ethical issues in which the writers adopt particular viewpoints.
2. Write clear, well-structured texts on business and ethical topics, synthesizing and evaluating information and arguments on the one hand while putting forward reasoned arguments/points of view on the other hand.
3. Demonstrate a clear understanding of complex issues relating to course topics, with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting detail.
4. Demonstrate a good command of a broad lexical repertoire, including business-specific language and ethical topics, allowing gaps to be readily overcome with circumlocutions.
5. Show good grammatical control of complex structures.
6. Source credible, reliable and complex information in the target language on a range of topics, using a variety of online media and contacts.
7. Demonstrate critical analytical skills when presenting, discussing and commenting on complex topics.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	48	Active engagement in weekly timetabled in-person sessions.
Assignment Completion	50	Engaging in individual and collaborative activities to address tasks set.
Directed learning	78	Preparing and reviewing of content provided in synchronous sessions and on the Loop page of the module.
Independent Study	74	Students assess their own progress and address individual needs through independent study.
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20789	Part of Term	Semester 2
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
Written Exam	In-class written test	30%	n/a
Presentation	Oral presentation	30%	n/a
Written Exam	In-class written production	40%	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
Timetabled sessions are interactive and learner-centred. They may take the form of short presentations, interactive discussion-based sessions or Q&A opportunities. Students are expected to work independently on set tasks outside of lessons, both individually and collaboratively, and to take ownership of their language-learning progress by reflecting critically about it and by initiating learning opportunities for themselves beyond the classroom.

Module resources
Students will be exposed to a broad range of authentic German-language resources in various media, such as online editions of well-known newspapers and magazines. Resources will be made available through the Loop site of the module. Examples:

www.spiegel.de; www.zeit.de...

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None