SFT22218 German: Advanced Topics (Autumn 2024)

Mandatory course in the German Extension Programme.

One of two mandatory courses in the Bachelor's Programme in Languages, German specialization.

German Extension Programme: 1. semester (fall).

Bachelor's Programme in Languages, German specialization: 5. semester (fall).

The students can choose a topic for their semester paper either from the course SFT22018 German in contrast, or one of the two alternating courses TYS22123 Berlin after 1900: city history, literature and film, or TYS22323: Vienna after 1900: city history, literature and film, depending on which of the two courses that are offered the given semester. They work on the paper under the supervision of a lecturer. The topic for the paper is agreed by the student and lthe ecturer together. The topic shall be presented and the work summarised for fellow students and the lecturer during the course, see Coursework requirements for more information.

Students who wish to write a paper based on the course German in contrast choose a topic from German language usage or German language structures, preferably with a contrastive German-Norwegian perspective or translation perspective. Students who wish to write a paper based on the course Berlin after 1900: city history, literature and film or Vienna after 1900: city history, literature and film, choose a topic from historical, cultural and literary perspectives on Berlin or Vienna. Students who wish to write a paper on an interdisciplinary topic covering a linguistic and literary approach can do so by arrangement with the lecturer.

Knowledge

The student has

• solid academic insight into either linguistic or literary/cultural topics that enables him or her to choose and justify relevant themes for an in-depth assignment.
• knowledge about how to find, assess, process and apply relevant specialist literature and fiction and about the correct use of source references and notes

Skills

The student

• is capable of writing extensive presentations in German in as correct German as possible, with a clear and expedient structure in relation to the selected topic
• can respond to other people's work in German
• has improved their written and oral language skills

General competence

The student

• has acquired competence in collecting information, and assessing and structuring the material
• is capable of wording a topic and a question, and of exercising critical use of sources
• has acquired critical assessment skills and independence during the course
• is familiar with academic writing

During the course, the students shall present the topic they have chosen to their fellow students. Each student shall also respond to the work of one of the other students. The presentation and response can be made both orally and in writing. This is agreed between the students and the lecturer.

The required coursework must be approved for the semester paper to be assessed.

Individual semester paper

The assessment is based on an individual semester paper. The paper is a written presentation. The paper's length shall be 3000-3500 words, excluding spaces, footnotes and the reference list. Any illustrations come in addition to this.

The assessment takes into account the level of knowledge, communication skills, information collection and independence. The paper shall be submitted by a stipulated deadline. Individual supervision is provided during the process.

Grade scale A- F.

In the event of a fail, an improved paper may be submitted once.

If the student wishes to improve the result, a new paper with a new topic must be submitted.

Feedback from our students is crucial for us to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programs. This course is evaluated in the following way:

• mid-term evaluation
• continuous/final evaluation

The results are considered by:

• Lecturer groups
• Head of studies
• Programme committee