German Language II

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course consists of two parts.

The first part is a course in German grammar that covers the use of German modal verbs and verbal syntax (the infinite verb forms, conjunctive and passive) needed to express complex sentences and written German. The second part is a basic course in language sounds (phonetics / phonology).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the course, the student is expected to:

Knowledge

- have thorough knowledge of German grammar / language structure on a number of central topics (e.g., conjunctive, infinite syntax and passive)

- have good basic knowledge of German phonetics / phonology

- have basic knowledge of academic linguistic terminology (and knowledge of phonetic transcription using IPA signs)

Skills

- be able to use basic German grammar and academic phonetic / phonological terminology

- be able to describe and analyze relatively complicated structures in the German language

- be able to use simple syntactic analytic tools and basic phonetic transcription

General competence

- be equipped to develop his/her own practical and theoretical expertise in the German language

- be well prepared for studying German at the 200 level

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Autumn

Place of Instruction

Bergen. Dette emnet finst òg som nettstudium (TYS635)
Required Previous Knowledge
No formal requirements, but all teaching takes place in German and requires good proficiency in German.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
It is advised that students first complete TYS105 or the equivalent.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Due to certain academic overlaps the credit count for TYS115 is reduced by 10 credits if combined with TYS113, TYS113-F or with TYS635.
Access to the Course
The course is open to all students admitted to the University of Bergen.
Teaching and learning methods

Teaching includes lectures that presuppose active participation on the part of the students, as well as a exercise class.

One two-hour lecture and one two-hour practice colloquium weekly for 12 weeks.

One "preparation pack" per week for self-study

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Students must attend at least 75 % of the teaching sessions.

Students must complete one exercise per week based on the "preparation packages". Eight exercises must be approved in order to sit for the exam.

All work requirements in the course must be approved by the academic instructor in the same semester before the candidate can take the written examination.

Mandatory assignments are valid for one additional semester following the semester of instruction.

Forms of Assessment
The assessment in the course is a four-hour written exam.
Grading Scale
The grading scale is A-F, where F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Autumn. Students with valid approvals on their mandatory assignments may also be assessed early in the fall semester.
Reading List

The syllabus includes key elements of German grammar, phonology and language exercises.

The reading list will be ready by 1 Jun for the fall semester, and 1 Dec for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation
Evaluation of the course is carried out in accordance with the University of Bergen quality assurance system.
Examination Support Material
A single-language German dictionary.
Programme Committee
The program committee is responsible for the academic content and structure of the study program, 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 program.