126-479 German in Academic Communication

This subject is taught in German. Formerly available as 126-030. Students who have completed 126-030 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

37.5 points of second/third year subjects in German language. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of European studies at second/third year, see Prerequisites.

German was, until the middle of the 20th century, an important medium of international academic communication. This subject will trace the transformation of German in the 18th century into a precision tool of academic research. Through the analysis of contemporary academic communication, linguistic and stylistic features common to academic texts and discourses in many disciplines will be appraised, as well as those features specific to particular disciplines. The different levels of specialisation as reflected in the language of academic communication will also be discussed as a sociolinguistic phenomenon. Forms of academic communication in German will be analysed and compared to their English equivalent. Students who complete the subject should have been introduced to research methods and materials in special language (LSP) research; and have learnt to appraise linguistic and stylistic features of academic language at different levels of linguistic analysis.

• have acquired skills in research, critical thinking and contextualising information;

• also have developed skills in communicating knowledge intelligibly through oral presentations and essays in German.

A 1000 word classpaper for 3rd year students 30% (due during semester) and a 1200 word classpaper for 4th year students 30% (due during semester), an essay of 3000 words for 3rd year studnets 70% (due at the end of semester) and an essay of 4000 words for 4th year students 70% (due at the end of semester).