University of Sydney Handbooks - 2018 Archive

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Germanic Studies

Germanic Studies

The rules below are for the introductory language acquisition pathway. Please see the Subject Area page on the left for information on how to achieve the major at a higher level.

Major

A major in Germanic Studies requires 48 credit points from this table, including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level language units *
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level language units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level culture units
(iv) 12 credit points of 3000-level language units
(v) 6 credit points of 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project

Minor

A minor in Germanic Studies requires 36 credit points from this table, including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level language units *
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level language units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level culture units
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level language units
* Appropriate language units are assessed either by language level and grade therein achieved in Higher School Certificate or International Baccalaureate, and/or by one-on-one interviews prior to commencement.

1000 level units of study

GRMN1001 German 1

Credit points: 6 Session: Intensive July,Semester 1 Classes: 2x2hr tutorial/week Prohibitions: GRMN1111 Assessment: 12x Weekly online homework exercises equivalent to 750wds total (15%), 1x equivalent to 750wds speaking and listening test (15%), 1x equivalent to 1000wds grammar, listening, reading test (20%), 1x 2 hours exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
These practical language classes are designed to develop listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in German, as well as cross-cultural competency. By the end of the unit you will have acquired the basic skills and vocabulary needed to deal with everyday situations in German. Activities in the classroom also introduce you to the cultures of the German-speaking world.
GRMN1002 German 2

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: 2x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: GRMN1001, or GRMN1111 Prohibitions: GRMN1122 Assessment: 12x Weekly online homework exercises equivalent to 750wds total(15%), 1x equivalent to 750wds speaking and listening test (15%), 1x equivalent to 1000wds grammar, listening, reading test (20%), 1x 2 hours exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The practical language classes in this unit build on GRMN1001. By the end of the unit you will be able to communicate in a variety of simple and routine situations in German. Using authentic materials in the classroom will also enable you to improve your cultural competency and deepen your knowledge of the German-speaking world.

2000 level units of study

Language
GRMN2003 German 3

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x2hr tutorials/week Prerequisites: HSC Beginners >70, or HSC Continuers Prohibitions: GRMN1211, GRMN2611 Assessment: 12x Weekly online homework exercises equivalent to 750wds total (15%), 1x equivalent to 675wds oral presentation (15%), 1x equivalent to 900wds grammar, listening, reading test (20%), 1x equivalent to 2250wds final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The practical language classes in this unit build on GRMN1002. By the end of the unit you will be able to communicate in a variety of simple and routine situations in German. Using authentic materials in the classroom will also enable you to improve your cultural competency and deepen your knowledge of the German-speaking world.
GRMN2004 German 4

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: GRMN2003, or GRMN1211, or GRMN2611 Prohibitions: GRMN1222, GRMN2612 Assessment: 12x Weekly online homework exercises equivalent to 750wds total (15%), 1x equivalent to 750wds oral presentation (15%), 1x equivalent to 1000wds grammar, listening, reading test (20%), 1x 2 hours exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The practical language classes in this unit build on GRMN2003. By the end of the unit you will be able to communicate in most situations likely to arise while travelling in a German-speaking country. Using authentic materials in the classroom will also enable you to improve your cultural competency and deepen your knowledge of the German-speaking world
Culture
GRMN2005 Reading German Culture

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: GRMN1002 or 12 credit points at 1000 level of European Studies Assessment: 1x equivalent to 2500wds final exam (40%), 1x equivalent to 1000wds book review presentation (20%), 1x 2500wd learning journal (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit introduces you to the history, literature, and culture of the German-speaking world from the nineteenth century to the present. Through the lens of literature and media, you will encounter the major cultural trends and events that have shaped German-speaking societies over the past two hundred years.
GRMN2632 Early 20th Century German Culture

This unit of study is not available in 2018

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1hr seminars/week Prerequisites: 12 Junior credit points of German Prohibitions: GRMN2450 Assessment: 1xEssay(3000wds) (50%), 1xwritten tutorial paper (1500wds) (25%), 1xClass presentation (1500wds) (25%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will provide students with an in-depth study of the major writers of German literature from the beginning of the 20th century through to about the end of World War II thereby giving students an appreciation of the variety of themes and narrative modes of that period. During this time, writers were confronted with massive cultural, social and political changes and we will examine how they dealt with these in their works.
Textbooks
Mann, Tonio Kröger. Mario und der Zauberer (Fischer Tb. 1381) Kafka, Das Urteil und andere Erzählungen (Fischer Tb. 19) Brecht, Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder (es 49)
GRMN2633 Topics in German Film

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr seminar/week Prerequisites: (12 Junior credit points of Germanic Studies) or (18 Junior credit points including ENGL1011) or (6 Senior credit points in ICLS) Prohibitions: GRMN2455 Assessment: 1x3000wd essay (50%), 1x1500wd written tutorial paper (25%), 1x1500wd class presentation (25%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study will explore German film from the perspectives of film theory and historical culture. Discussions will situate films within the German political and cultural context of their time and study them from the perspective of contemporary cross-cultural critique. The unit may concentrate on the works of a specific director, a period or a genre, or deal with key social and political issues within a selection of German films.
Textbooks
German film course pack to be purchased from the University Copy Centre
GRMN2642 German Culture and Society 1849-1914

This unit of study is not available in 2018

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 12 Junior credit points of German Assessment: 1x2500wd learning journal (40%), 1x1500wd Class presentation (25%), 1x2hr written exam (35%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit offers an introduction to German culture and society in the second half of the 19th century and examines the process of the founding of the German nation state and its struggle to find its place in Europe. Through analysing literary texts and discussing cultural, social and political conditions from 1849 to1914 it will build an understanding of how nationalism and imperialism lead Germany ultimately into World War I.
GRMN2643 Teaching and Learning Methods in German

This unit of study is not available in 2018

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 12 Junior credit points of German Assessment: 1x3000wd Essay (50%), 1x1500wd written tutorial paper (25%), 1xTutorial presentation (equivalent to 1500wds) (25%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit surveys influential theories and approaches of language teaching and learning as well as methodologies and didactics of German as a foreign language. The theoretical foundation will be applied to the teaching of language and culture to help students develop a repertoire of teaching techniques and strategies. The assessment tasks are designed to give students the opportunity to apply new knowledge in teaching and learning methods through discussion, presentation and independent research.

3000 level units of study

Language
GRMN3005 German 5

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x2hr tutorials/week Prerequisites: GRMN2004, or GRMN1222, or GRMN2612 Prohibitions: GRMN2613 Assessment: 12x Weekly online homework exercises equivalent to 750wds total(15%), 1x equivalent to 750wds oral presentation (15%), 1x equivalent to 1000wds grammar, listening, reading test (20%), 1x 2 hours final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
These practical language classes build on GRMN2004. By the end of the unit you will be able to communicate on a range of more complex issues, both verbally and in writing. Using authentic materials in the classroom will also enable you to improve your cultural competency and deepen your knowledge of the German-speaking world.
GRMN3006 German 6

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x2hr tutorials/week Prerequisites: GRMN3005, or GRMN2613 Prohibitions: GRMN2614 Assessment: 12x Weekly online homework exercises equivalent to 750wds total (15%), 1x equivalent to 750wds oral presentation (15%), 1x 1000wd short essay (20%), 1x 2 hours final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
These practical language classes build on GRMN3005. By the end of the unit you will be able to communicate on a range of complex texts and situations, and to express yourself in German with a degree of fluency. Using authentic materials in the classroom will also enable you to improve your cultural competency and deepen your knowledge of the German-speaking world.
GRMN3007 German 7

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr tutorial/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: HSC Continuers >80, or HSC Extension, or German IB GRMN3006, or GRMN2614 Prohibitions: GRMN2617, GRMN2618, GRMN3008, GRMN3009, GRMN3010 Assessment: 12x Weekly online homework exercises equivalent to 750wds total (10%), 1x equivalent to 675wds oral presentation (15%), 1x equivalent to 900wds short essay (25%), 1x equivalent to 2250wds final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
These practical language classes build on GRMN3006. By the end of the unit you will be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts and situations, and to express yourself in German with ease and spontaneity. Using authentic materials in the classroom will also enable you to improve your cultural competency and deepen your knowledge of the German-speaking world.
GRMN3008 German 8

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr tutorial/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: GRMN1311 or GRMN2615 or GRMN3007 Prohibitions: GRMN1322, GRMN2616 Assessment: 12x Weekly online homework exercises equivalent to 750wds total (10%), 1x equivalent to 750wds oral presentation (15%), 1x 1000wd short essay (25%), 1x 2 hours final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
These practical language classes build on GRMN3007. By the end of the unit you will be able to understand the main ideas of complex texts and situations, and to express yourself in German fluently and spontaneously. You will be able to express and justify your views on topical issues, both verbally and in writing. Using authentic materials in the classroom will also enable you to improve your cultural competency and deepen your knowledge of the German-speaking world.
GRMN3009 German Language and Society

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr tutorial/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: GRMN3008, or GRMN2616 Assessment: 1x equivalent to 500wds listening comprehension (15%), 1x equivalent to 500wds reading comprehension (15%), 1x equivalent to 1500wds oral presentation (30%), 1x 2000wd project essay (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit enhances your language skills while enabling you to study contemporary German society. Using materials drawn from contemporary print and (audio-)visual media, you will expand your capacity for written and spoken expression by engaging with key social and cultural issues in the contemporary German-speaking world.
GRMN3010 Translating German Culture

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr tutorial/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: GRMN3008, or GRMN2616 Assessment: 1x 500wd bilingual glossary (15%), 1x 2500wd translation project (50%), 1x 1500wd commentary (35%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit allows you to enhance your language skills by studying translation. Using a range of materials, you will put into practice basic translation concepts and techniques, enabling you to build your knowledge of German language and culture.
Culture
GRMN3011 Power and Protest: 20th Century Germany

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 2000 level of Germanic Studies or 12 credit points at 2000 level of European Studies Assessment: 1x 1500wd manifesto (25%), 1x equivalent to 1500wd online discussion (25%), 1x 3000wd research essay (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
From 1968 to 1989, divided Germany was pulled between forces of power and protest. In this unit, you will study the major trends in late twentieth-century German society and culture. Using a variety of media, you will explore how demands for freedom and democracy, as well as forces of conservatism and repression, shaped Germany East and West during this period.
GRMN3015 Gender and Sexuality in German Culture

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 2000 level of Germanic Studies or 12 credit points at 2000 level of European Studies Assessment: 1x 1500wd tutorial paper (25%), 1x 1500wd presentation (25%), 1x 3000wd research essay (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Reading works by some of the most important modernist authors, this unit explores discourses of gender and sexuality in German and Austrian culture at the turn of the twentieth century.
GRMN3611 Contemporary German Fiction

This unit of study is not available in 2018

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 12 Senior credit points from German or (GRMN1311 and GRMN1322) Assessment: 1x3000wd research paper (50%), 1x1500wd tutorial paper (25%), 1xClass presentation (equivalent to 1500wds (25%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit provides an overview of important currents in contemporary German fiction. Student will study a selection of highly acclaimed novels in depth and reflect on influential approaches in literary analysis. They will gain an insight into the diversity and originality of contemporary German literature and an understanding of the relationship between literary fiction and their historical and cultural contexts. The assessment tasks are designed to give students the opportunity to apply new knowledge and methodology through independent research.
GRMN3613 Research in German as a Foreign Language

This unit of study is not available in 2018

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Prerequisites: 12 Senior credit points in German or (GRMN1311 and GRMN1322) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will examine themes from the field of Research in Language Teaching and Learning (Sprachlehrforschung) as well as the theoretical and practical aspects of German as a foreign language (Deutsch als Fremdsprache). The main issues addressed are the acquisition and teaching of German as a foreign and second language along with major questions in applied linguistics. The assessment tasks are designed to give students the opportunity to apply new knowledge and methodology through independent research on tertiary language teaching concepts and multiple language acquisition.
GRMN3682 Foreign and Exotic in German Literature

This unit of study is not available in 2018

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 12 Senior credit points in German or (GRMN1311 and GRMN2322) Prohibitions: GRMN2682 Assessment: 1xOral Presentation (equivalent to 1000wds) (20%), 1x1500wd tutorial paper (25%), 1x3500wd Research essay (55%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit investigates questions of national identity and foreignness (Fremde) in modern literary texts in German. We will consider the construction as well as the deconstruction of belonging and 'being foreign', both by native authors and by so-called 'Auslaender' (foreigners, migrants) writing in German. Narratives critical concepts of a national identity which excludes, rejects and devalues the 'other', as well as narratives by authors 'embodying' the foreign and 'exotic', will be compared.
GRMN3686 Art and Ideology: Theories of Culture

This unit of study is not available in 2018

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 12 Senior credit points in GRMN Assessment: 1xoral presentation (1500wd equivalent)(25%), 1x1500wd class protocol (25%), 1x3000wd research essay (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Is modern culture a force for good? How does culture shape our place in the modern world? This unit introduces students to the answers German thinkers have found to these questions since the mid-nineteenth century. Reading texts by major thinkers (Nietzsche, Marx, the Frankfurt School) in the original language, we will consider the relationship between art and ideology, culture and the unconscious, and aesthetics and mass culture. Students will learn how to critically analyse cultural products across a range of media, and to reflect on the uses and limits of theory in analysing culture.

Interdisciplinary Project unit of study

FASS3999 Interdisciplinary Impact

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1hr lecture/performance event week for 5 weeks 2hr workshop per week for 10 weeks 2hr online learning modules for 5 weeks Prerequisites: 18 credit points at 2000 level Assessment: 1x 2000 wds equivalent Mapping knowledge exercise (30%), 1x 10 minutes Collaborative Presentation (30%), 1x 2000 wds equivalent Critical reflection essay (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Interdisciplinarity is a key skill in fostering agility in life and work. This unit provides learning experiences that build students' skills, knowledge and understanding of the application of their disciplinary background to interdisciplinary contexts. In this unit, students will work in teams and develop interdisciplinarity skills through problem-based learning projects responding to 'real world problems'.

Honours

Honours in Germanic Studies requires 48 credit points from this table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 4000-level selective seminar units
(ii) 36 credit points of 4000-level thesis units

Honours seminar units

GRMN4113 Theories and Methods in Germanic Studies

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x 1500wd review exercise (25%), 1x 1500wd research presentation (25%), 1x 3000wd research paper (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will introduce you to a range of theories and methods relevant to pursuing research in Germanic Studies. It will provide you with the skills you need to complete an extended academic research project, introduce you to the conventions of academic research culture, and encourage you to reflect on the place of research within wider society.
GRMN4114 Research Fields in Germanic Studies

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x 6000wd research essay (100%) Mode of delivery: Field experience
This unit enables you to pursue an original research question outside the scope of your thesis project in a relevant field within Germanic Studies: history of ideas, literature and film, or German-language pedagogy.

Honours thesis units

GRMN4111 Germanic Studies Honours Thesis 1

Credit points: 18 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 7 x half-hour supervision meetings/semester, on average Mode of delivery: Supervision
In this unit you begin a substantial, independent research project in Germanic Studies. Regular meetings with a supervisor approved by the Germanic Studies Honours Coordinator will guide your progress. You will develop a plan for researching and writing the thesis, submit an ethics application if appropriate, familiarize yourself with disciplinary conventions and standards, engage with relevant literature, theories and methodologies, and submit drafts at agreed times.
GRMN4112 Germanic Studies Honours Thesis 2

Credit points: 18 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 7 x half-hour supervision meetings/semester, on average Assessment: 1x 18-20000wd Thesis (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
This unit enables you to complete an Honours thesis of 18,000-20,000 words. Continuing on from the Honours Thesis 1 unit, within this unit you will complete the body of the thesis.

Advanced Coursework

The requirements for advanced coursework in Germanic Studies are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
24-36 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2019.