Overview | Summary of Courses

Offered By:

ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences

The German Language & Culture Minor is aimed at students developing a high level of competence in the German language as well as a critical understanding of the German-speaking cultures. Students can choose from courses in German language, linguistics, literature, society and film. The exact sequence of courses depends on the student’s language proficiency when beginning with the minor.

German is the most commonly spoken first language in the European Union, being spoken by about 100 million people in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With a rich literary and philosophical heritage, German is a language of culture, science, technology, trade and international relations. This role has increased since Germany's reunification which is reflected in Berlin having become a centre of global youth culture (“Berlin ist cool!”).

Language level placement tests are held prior to commencement. 

Students are advised to check prerequisites carefully and plan their minor accordingly.

 

Learning outcomes

• On successful completion, students will have a range of language enabling them to express viewpoints and develop arguments without much searching for words, using some complex sentence forms to do so. Students who begin the German Language & Culture Minor without prior knowledge in the language can expect to achieve approximately the B1 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Students with previous knowledge can expect to achieve approximately a C1 level or higher.
• Students will be able to express themselves confidently, clearly and politely in a formal or informal register, appropriate to the situation and person(s) concerned.
• For students with previous knowledge this includes, appropriate for the language level, students can use the language for academic purposes, e.g. essay writing with referencing and class presentations.
• Through language, students will be able to demonstrate intercultural awareness and communicative ability.
• Students will be able to read literary texts and understand German films in the context of German-speaking cultures and will be able to analyse and critique them.
• Students will have an understanding of modern history of the German-speaking countries and will be able to relate this knowledge to their own cultural background.
• Students will be able to conduct a research project on a topic related to the German language and associated cultures and to write a report on their project.

Requirements

This minor requires the completion of 24 units, which must include:

A minimum of 12 units from the completion of core courses from the following list:

GERM1021 - German Studies: Introduction to German (1) (6 units)

GERM1022 - German Studies: Introduction to German (2) (6 units)

GERM2103 - German Studies: Continuing German 1 (6 units)

GERM2104 - German Studies: Continuing German 2 (6 units)

GERM2105 - German Studies: Intermediate German 1 (6 units)

GERM2106 - German Studies: Intermediate German 2 (6 units)

GERM2112 - Selected Topics in German Studies ( 6 units)

GERM3007 - German Studies: Advanced German 1 (6 units) 

GERM3008 - German Studies: Advanced German 2 (6 units) 

GERM3020 - Contemporary German Society (6 units)

 

A maximum of 12 units from the completion of courses from the following list:

GERM2020 - Postwar German Society (6 units)

GERM2046 - German Cinema (6 units)

GERM2048 - Spoken Interaction in German: Theory and Practice (6 units)

GERM2110 - Structure of German (6 units)

GERM3041 - German Prose of the 20th Century (6 units)

GERM3046 - German Cinema (6 units)

GERM3047 - Images of 20th Century German Culture (6 units)

GERM3048 - Spoken Interaction in German: Theory and Practice (6 units)

 

A maximum of 6 units from the completion of courses in the subject area LANG – Language Studies in German topics. 

The information published on the Study at ANU 2012 website applies to the 2012 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2011 website.