Selected Topics in German Linguistics

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

TYS319 addresses one or more topics in modern German linguistics, including German didactics. Both empirical, theoretical, and methodological issues may be discussed, also from a contrastive perspective.

Through work on the topic, students will also become familiar with empirical research, for example through the use of online corpora.

Students will have the opportunity to explore self-selected areas within the chosen topic(s) through mandatory assignments.

TYS319 is recommended for students who plan to write a master’s thesis in linguistics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student will have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

The student

  • has in-depth theoretical and empirical knowledge of a topic within modern German linguistics
  • has thorough knowledge of the methods used in the field
  • has knowledge of contrastively significant differences between German and Norwegian within the field

Skills:

The student

  • can apply and independently reflect on theoretical and methodological approaches
  • can present, analyze, and compare different representations, theories, and methods
  • can use a precise linguistic terminology in German
  • can identify relevant sources and bibliographies and use them critically to structure and formulate academic arguments in German
  • can reflect on (i.e., present, discuss, analyze) contrastively significant differences between Norwegian and German

General Competence:

The student

  • can plan and carry out an independent, limited research or development project in German
  • can use scientific terminology when addressing a complex topic
  • can present and engage with academic issues, analyses, and conclusions within modern German linguistics in appropriate academic language, both orally and in writing
  • can apply their knowledge and skills to new areas in order to complete advanced tasks and projects

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Autumn

Place of Instruction

The entire course is offered online, but with a mandatory introductory session at the university’s campus in Bergen.

Parts of the teaching will also be offered as seminars at the university’s campus in Bergen.

Required Previous Knowledge
Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in German of at least 80 ECTS credits or equivalent education.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
In-depth knowledge of German
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
15 ECTS credits if you have previously taken TSAK319.
Access to the Course
The course is open to students enrolled in the master’s program in German at UiB and to students admitted to the teacher education program with a master’s degree in foreign languages at the Faculty of Humanities.
Teaching and learning methods

Lectures/seminars and exercises.

Teaching is either campus-based, hybrid, or online.

Students are expected to be prepared for classes and to participate actively and regularly.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

The course has two mandatory activities:

  1. a written assignment of about 1,500 words
  2. an oral presentation of about 10 minutes

Both the assignment and the presentation must be in German.

Forms of Assessment

Assessment is based on:

  1. a 7-day home exam of about 3,000 words, excluding table of contents, assignment text, and bibliography.
  2. an oral exam of about 30 minutes. In the oral exam, the student must give a presentation on a self-selected syllabus-related topic or an assigned topic for about 10 minutes. Questions will be asked about the presentation and the home exam, and there may also be questions about the syllabus in general.
Grading Scale
For grading, the A-F scale is used, where F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Autumn
Reading List
The reading list will be finalized by July 1 for the autumn semester.
Course Evaluation
The course will be evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.
Examination Support Material
Not relevant
Programme Committee
The Programme Board is responsible for the academic content and structure of the study programme, and for the quality of all the subjects therein.
Course Coordinator
The Program Board for German Studies.
Course Administrator
The Department of Foreign Languages at the Faculty of Humanities has the administrative responsibility for the course and the study programme.