BA Politics and German / Course details

This module provides an introduction to the pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary of Modern Standard German. Focussing on a variety of topics (including culture, society and current affairs) and using a range of teaching methods and audio-visual as well as printed media, it aims to equip students with the language skills needed for competent spoken and written communication. Classes are complemented by an independent language learning programme, involving reading, writing, speaking and listening activities, as well as vocabulary work and CALL exercises. Teaching and learning on this module are supported by an extensive Blackboard site, providing additional resources for students. Blackboard should therefore be accessed on a regular basis.

Available on:

An A-level pass in a foreign language other than German, or in English Language.

This is not a LEAP module and is available only as part of a degree programme where German is taken as a named Honours subject.

All Joint Honours programmes with German. All other programmes compatible with a Minor in German.

Focusing on a variety of topics (including culture, society and current affairs) through audio-visual and printed media, it aims to equip students with the language skills needed for competent spoken and written communication. 

By successfully completing this course unit, students will be able to master German language skills appropriate for a basic level A2 of the Common European Framework.

• Understand extended speech, including some TV news and current affairs programmes
• Read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems, as well as short literary texts
• Speak with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes interaction with native speakers quite possible and take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts
• Produce oral discourse
• Write clear text

On successful completion of this course unit, students will be able to:

• apply appropriate linguistic concepts
• analyse and interpret acquired information and synthesise it as knowledge

On successful completion of this course unit, students will be able to:

• read and understand a range of text types relating to socio-cultural aspects of Germany and the German speaking world
• demonstrate active understanding of most of the essential linguistic structures covered in the set textbook, and a passive understanding of the rest
• communicate appropriately in written and spoken German

On successful completion of this course unit, students will be able to:

• take responsibility for their own learning, manage time and work to deadlines
• work independently to produce a dossier, showing an understanding of how to learn within the cycle of planning, action and reflection
• work effectively and constructively as part of a group
• show an awareness and responsiveness to the nature and extent of cultural diversity
• use information and communications technology effectively and appropriately

Nature and timing of feedback:

Details of the extensive range of feedback opportunities available to students can be found on the

GERM51011 Blackboard website.

Dollenmayer, David B. & Thomas S. Hansen (2014). Neue Horizonte: Introductory German. 8^th edn. Heinle, Cengage Learning.  (‘International edition’).

Dollenmayer, David B., Ellen W. Crocker & Thomas S. Hansen (2014). Neue Horizonte: Student Activity Manual, 8^th edn. Heinle, Cengage Learning.

Printed Access Code (PAC) for access to Cengage Premium Website.

Further Reading;

Durrell, Martin, Katrin Kohl, Claudia Kaiser and Gudrun Loftus (2015). Essential German Grammar. Abingdon: Routledge.

Collins German Dictionary, 8th edn. 2013. Glasgow: HarperCollins.

Langenscheidt Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache, Neubearbeitung. 2008. Berlin:

Langenscheidt.

Fernandez-Toro, Maria & Francis R. Jones. 2001. DIY techniques for language learners.

London: Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (CILT).