Offered By	ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Academic Contact	Ms Gabriele Schmidt

German is the most commonly spoken language in the European Union, being spoken by about 100 million people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other nations as their first language. With a rich literary and philosophical heritage (e.g. Goethe, Kafka, Nietzsche), German is a language of culture, science, technology, trade, and international relations. This role has increased since Germany's reunification and the political changes in Eastern Europe.

In the Australian context, German has a long tradition as one of the top ten community languages on this continent. German migrants have made major contributions to Australia's cultural and economic development. Nowadays over half a million Australians are of German origin.

German and English are both members of the Indo-European group of languages and have many similarities, which makes it easy for native speakers of English to learn German. The School of Language Studies offers courses in German language, linguistics, literature, society and film from beginners to honours and postgraduate levels. The German Studies Program encourages students to study abroad and has various exchange agreements with partner universities in Germany and Austria.

The German courses set out below comprise a set of first year and later year core language courses, together with a proposed range of thematic courses. There are two kinds of thematic courses: German-specific and common (to the Modern European languages). Each thematic course will be offered approximately every third year, subject to enrolment figures and availability of staff. However, it is expected that a sufficient number of thematic courses will be offered every year, and all students will be given the opportunity to complete a major and the degree with honours in German Studies.

The sequence of courses for the German Studies major is dependent on the student's language competence. New students with some previous knowledge of German will be given a placement test during Orientation Week to decide their appropriate entry point to the core language courses. Students who have completed an accredited major in Continuing German at an ACT secondary college or have an equivalent qualification frequently begin at the intermediate level with GERM2105. Native speakers of German or those who speak and write the language fluently are asked to consult the Convener of German Studies during Registration Week to plan their major.

Requirements

The major consists of a minimum of 42 units - seven courses. For beginning students, the major consists normally of six core language courses plus one thematic course or seven core language courses; for students who have previous knowledge of German, the major consists of core language courses and thematic courses.

1. Major for beginners (introductory):
Introduction to German (1) GERM1021, Introduction to German (2) GERM1022, Continuing German 1 GERM2103, Continuing German 2 GERM2104, Intermediate German 1 GERM2105, Intermediate German 2 GERM2106, plus one thematic course (German specific); or Advanced German 1 GERM3007;

2. Major for post-beginners (continuing):
Continuing German 1 GERM2103, Continuing German 2 GERM2104, Intermediate German 1 GERM2105, Intermediate German 2 GERM2106, Advanced German 1 GERM3007, Advanced German 2 GERM3008, plus one thematic course;

3. Major for students beginning at an intermediate language level:
Intermediate German 1 GERM2105, Intermediate German 2 GERM2106, Advanced German 1 GERM3007, Advanced German 2 GERM3008, plus three thematic courses (at least two German specific);

4. Major for students beginning at an advanced language level:
Advanced German 1 GERM3007, Advanced German 2 GERM3008, plus five thematic courses (at least three German specific).

Assessment

Details of assessment for all courses will be arranged at the beginning of each semester in consultation with students. Course entries below provide further information on proposed assessment.

For information on Honours in German click here.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2010 website applies to the 2010 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2009 website.