54
German Language and Translation
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, students should be able to know relevant aspects of the history of the German language, also with reference to its diatopic variants. They should have a good ability to analyse and understand the typology of German words, their internal structure, semantic relationships; ability to analyse and understand the function of vocabulary in the articulation of information; know the essential scientific terminology in the areas covered.
With regard to receptive and productive language skills, students should be able to
- understand the main elements in a clear speech in standard German on any topic;
- participate in conversations on topics of personal interest or current affairs;
- describe, justify and briefly explain opinions, plans and narrate a story or the plot of a book or film; summarise any type of text (short story, article, conversation, interview, etc.) while also expressing their own opinion;
- write coherent texts on familiar topics or topics of personal interest.
CAPABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The course of tuition is intended to provide the knowledge and methodological tools required for adequate written and oral competence in German, not dissociated from metalinguistic reflection. One will have to learn to
- explain phenomena of change in the German language
- understand written texts in everyday or topical use
- understand radio and television broadcasts on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest
- be able to interact in German on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest
- briefly justify and explain opinions and plans
- be able to communicate opinions, experiences and impressions in writing.
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Autonomy of judgement:
Students are expected to have an active and passive competence in the language and structure of German such that they will be able to understand and/or process content regardless of the type of text in which that content is presented. They will also be able to make critical use of the theoretical tools provided, in particular acquiring an awareness of their scope.
Communication skills:
Students should be able to communicate their ideas orally or in writing, be able to convey information, discuss issues related to current topics. They will also be able to use the terminology of the discipline (in Italian and German) appropriately.
Learning ability:
Students at the end of the course will be able to continue their in-depth study of the German language and its characteristics. They should be able to extend and test their knowledge independently, demonstrating their ability to make appropriate use of the bibliographical, lexicographical and linguistic tools presented during the course.
Course Prerequisites
Ability to understand, interact with native speakers, produce clear and articulate texts (at least Level B2 of the Common Frame of Reference for Languages); advanced knowledge of German phonology, morphosyntax and vocabulary; knowledge of general linguistics.
Teaching Methods
54 hours of German Linguistics with classroom activities involving students. Attendance is strongly recommended.
In addition, 4 hours per week of language exercises with DAAD and OeaD Readers are scheduled throughout the academic year. The language exercises aim to improve active and passive language competence, both written and oral, as well as the ability to communicate in the foreign language. Regular attendance of these activities is strongly recommended.
Assessment Methods
Language of the examination: German.
The examination consists of three parts. One part relates to the testing of learning of the topics covered during the course. Account will be taken of the correct use of linguistic terminology, the ability to apply linguistic theory to concrete examples and the way in which the topics covered in the oral examination are presented.
The other two parts aim to ascertain competence in written language (written examination) and oral language (interview). The written test includes a commentary on a text; morphosyntax tests;
test of comprehension of a short passage. The oral language test involves a discussion of topics covered in the exercises during the year.
In the assessment of language competence, grammatical correctness, vocabulary knowledge and the ability to argue clearly and correctly will be taken into account.
Texts
Language:
Koithan, Ute (u.a.), ASPEKTE NEU B2, Klett Verlag,
1. Lehrbuch - ISBN 978-3-12-605025-8
2. Arbeitsbuch ISBN 978-3-12-605026-5
Koithan, U./ Schmitz ,H. et al. (2015), Aspekte neu B2. Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch mit Audio-CD, Teil 2. München, Klett-Langenscheidt (from ch. 6.)
Koithan, U./ Schmitz ,H. et al. (2016), Aspekte neu C1. Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch mit Audio-CD, Teil 1. München, Klett-Langenscheidt (5 chapters)
Referenzgrammatik: A. Hering, M. Matussek, M. Perlmann-Balme (2009), Übungsgrammatik für die Mittelstufe: Deutsch als Fremdsprache. München, Hueber Verlag.
Linguistics:
Peter von Polenz, Geschichte der deutschen Sprache, 11 Aufl., de Gruyter, Berlin 2020: capitolo V (Deutsch vom 19. bis zum frühen 21 Jahrhundert) e Die deutsche Sprache im Zeitalter der ‘Globalisierung’
Peter von Polenz, Deutsche Sprachgeschichte Band III. 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, de Gruyter, Berlin 1999 (information on the chapters to be studied will be given during the course)
Contents
History of German language in the 20th century
Course Language
German
More information
Durint the academic year, lectures and seminars are offered by German language and literature lecturers from the Department of Literary, Linguistic and Comparative Studies as well as by Italian and foreign scholars invited by the university.