GRN4166

German Language and Society: Research Project ( 12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL)

Leader: Heinz Kreutz

Offered:
Not offered in 2005.

Synopsis: The unit will explore the German language as a productive area of investigation from a sociolinguistic perspective. This unit will also go beyond the broader issues of language and society, politics and education and take an applied, practical research approach to the new role of the German language in a politically and socioculturally changed Europe. Recent developments pertaining to issues such as language and national identity, pluricentricity, migrant German and the national and international status of German will be explored.

Objectives: Students completing this subject will have achieved an understanding of the link between the German language and society at different levels of societal organisation; consolidated and reinforced their understanding of the role the German language plays in modern German society; become able to discuss at an abstract level, using current sociolinguistic theories, the role of the German language as a mirror of cotemporary German speaking societies; developed the ability to translate theoretical concepts into applied research activities; applied their sociolinguistic insights into the workings of the German language to their own language learning process; engaged in sociolinguistic research into the German language by developing, conducting and writing up a research report using methods of data collection, calibration, analysis and interpretation.

Assessment: Archival work and library exercise (1000 words): 10% + Data collection exercise (1200 words): 15% + Data analysis (1200 words): 15% + Class paper (600 words): 15% + Research essay (5000 words): 45%

Contact Hours: 3 hours (1 x lecture and 2 x seminars) per week

Prerequisites: GRN3165

Corequisites: At least one of German level 4 core units GRN4265, GRN4275, GRN4355, GRN4385.