GERMAN FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS - 2023/4

Module Overview

In this module, students develop their fluency and accuracy in the target language, through language-learning tasks across all four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), with a focus on using German to carry out, present, and write up research projects on a theme connected to the German-speaking world. This module is taught in the target language in semester 1 of FHEQ Level 5.

Module provider

Literature & Languages

Module Leader

KAUP Judith (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Identifying and evaluating appropriate source materiasl


• relating to five overarching topics: marketing and nation-branding; technologies; heritage and the arts; sustainability; German politics and identity


• extracting and synthesizing information


• integrating source materials with their own thinking


• reflecting critically on their own and others' perspectives


• distinguishing fact from opinion in the source material


• presenting facts vs. opinions


• linking thoughts, ideas and arguments; oral and written signposts for constructing an argument data commentary


• referencing skills and bibliography writing


• register and style


• presenting research in written and spoken modes


• methods of self-and peer-assessment of spoken and written texts


• advanced grammar topics

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• knowledge and understanding of the use of the target language


• ability to analyse and interpret texts


• ability to select and synthesise information from written and oral texts


• ability to take notes effectively and use IT skills to find and present relevant information


• subject-specific knowledge of German language in a professional and academic environment.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Oral Examination - focus group. (40%)

Students prepare, film, and upload a small group discussion in the target language on a given topic. This allows students to improve oral language and presentation ability, and develop their digital literacy.

• Research Essay (1500 words) (60%)

Takes the form of a literature review and an analytical essay enabling students to develop subject specific knowledge, improve their written German, and develop research skills.

Formative assessment and feedback

• Students will be provided with detailed written feedback following coursework assignments.


• Verbal feedback will also occur in class and individual appointments if required.

Module aims

• This module aims to further developthe linguistic skills acquired at FHEQ Level 4, to enable studentsto communicate effectively and accurately in the target language in specific academicand work relatedcontexts. Students learn how to producecomplex, sophisticated, and accurate, written and spoken texts, and these skills feed into FHEQ Level 5 semester 2. The module's focus on research projects also equips students with competencies that they will develop further at FHEQ Level 6 in the dissertation.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• enable students to develop their language skills as a medium for understanding, expression and communication, through listening, speaking, reading and writing in the target language


• enable students to acquire explicit knowledge of the linguistic structures, grammar and stylistic registers through attending classes and reading in the target language


• encourage student participation and learner autonomy, through small group classes, reading outside contact hours and participating in seminars


• develop research skills, through reading and presenting findings, through informal class presentations and in the written assignment


• enable students to engage in analytical and evaluative thinking, to analyse and interpret texts and other cultural products, through attending classes and engaging in individual study


• develop communication skills through interactions in class


• develop teamwork and problem-solving skills through collaboration in their small research groups; planning the discussion and preparing the questionnaire for the oral assessment

The learning and teaching methods include:

• three contact hours per week over Semester 1


• classes will include lectures and seminars


• students are expected to read extensively outside classes in order to follow lectures and participate in seminars

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: GER2037

Other information

Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas:

Global and Cultural Capabilities: In this module, students develop an understanding of marketing and branding in the German-speaking world, sustainable development, heritage and the arts, and issues surrounding politics and identity. Students are invited to reflect on their own prior knowledge, cultural backgrounds and experiences, to contribute to discussions in class. Students develop subject-specific knowledge of contemporary political and social issues in Germany and other German-speaking countries and regions, which feeds into their preparation for spending part or all of the Professional Training Year in a French-speaking environment.

Sustainability: Sustainable development in Germany and the German-speaking world is one of five key topics studied over the course of the semester, through task-based language learning activities. Students gain awareness of the UN's 17 sustainable development goals, and are equipped with the vocabulary to discuss these in the target language. Through in-class activities and homework tasks, students explore relevant examples ranging from ecotourism to clean energy initiatives, enabling them to develop their understanding of sustainability within a global, Germanophone context.

Digital: For the speaking assessment, students work in groups to carry out and film a small group discussion for their speaking assessment. The module therefore equips students to develop their digital literacy using audio-visual software to record and upload their focus groups. Throughout the module, students use discussion boards on SurreyLearn to exchange their ideas and collaborate, and other homework tasks encourage the utilisation of digital tools, such as the creation of moodboards, to illustrate and express ideas and opinions. One of the central topics of this module is technology, and students are thus enabled to develop their ability to discuss new technologies and their applications in the target language, at an advanced level.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.