ID:
500892
Duration (hours):
36
CFU:
9
SSD:
LINGUA E TRADUZIONE - LINGUA TEDESCA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 22/05/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to further develop students’ understanding of the structure of the German language at all levels, including morphosyntactic, lexical, textual, pragmatic, and variation-related aspects. In particular, it will focus on: 1) the concept of “text,” examined both in terms of its specific structures and its communicative functions; 2) linguistic variation in its sociolinguistic dimension, with particular attention to spoken German and to forms of interaction between spoken and written language (fingierte Mündlichkeit, neue Schriftlichkeit, language in social media); and 3) German modal particles (Modalpartikeln) and the principal means of expressing modality. Students will learn to understand and analyze the various realizations of the German language in their structural, communicative, and textual dimensions, situating the phenomena examined within the appropriate theoretical linguistic framework. The analytical reading of different types of texts will also provide an excellent opportunity to expand both active and passive vocabulary.
Course Prerequisites
This course explores and develops the methodological and analytical skills developed in the introductory German 1 course. From the point of view of instrumental language skills, a good knowledge of German is required (see level attainable in the second year).
The course is held partly in Italian and partly in German, both for theoretical and analytical reflection.
Teaching Methods
The course includes lectures, individual or group work on assigned texts, and plenary review sessions. Active participation is required and is considered an essential prerequisite for achieving the learning objectives of the course. Students will be expected to participate actively by completing exercises related to the topics covered. The course handout forms an integral part of the course. Non-attending students will prepare independently on the texts listed in the specific bibliography.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of a written assessment in the form of midterm coursework for attending students and an oral examination (during the official exam session) for non-attending students, and will be conducted partly in Italian and partly in German. The examination is designed to assess the acquisition of an adequate knowledge of the key concepts and fundamental theories discussed during the course, as well as the ability to present these topics using appropriate academic language. Students will also be expected to demonstrate a good ability to identify and analyze the specific structures and phenomena examined in class. For attending students, assessment will cover theories of text linguistics and sociolinguistics, as well as the texts analyzed during the course; for non-attending students, it will cover the topics addressed in the bibliography.
In order to be admitted to the oral examination, students must have passed all the preliminary written tests and the preliminary oral test, which certify that they have reached the minimum language level required for the year of study. The preliminary written tests are: Cloze (completion of a text with grammatical elements / multiple choice), Aufsatz (essay writing), Hörverstehen (listening comprehension), and Textarbeit (text comprehension, set by the instructor). Students who have attended at least 70% of the supplementary language instruction may take the partial preliminary tests in the designated exam sessions.
The preliminary oral test, which is intended to assess oral comprehension and speaking ability, may only be taken after all written tests have been passed and constitutes the final stage in verifying attainment of the required level of instrumental language competence. The oral interview will be based on readings and one film chosen by the student from a list that will be distributed during the academic year. This part of the assessment will be conducted entirely in German.
In order to be admitted to the oral examination, students must have passed all the preliminary written tests and the preliminary oral test, which certify that they have reached the minimum language level required for the year of study. The preliminary written tests are: Cloze (completion of a text with grammatical elements / multiple choice), Aufsatz (essay writing), Hörverstehen (listening comprehension), and Textarbeit (text comprehension, set by the instructor). Students who have attended at least 70% of the supplementary language instruction may take the partial preliminary tests in the designated exam sessions.
The preliminary oral test, which is intended to assess oral comprehension and speaking ability, may only be taken after all written tests have been passed and constitutes the final stage in verifying attainment of the required level of instrumental language competence. The oral interview will be based on readings and one film chosen by the student from a list that will be distributed during the academic year. This part of the assessment will be conducted entirely in German.
Texts
Required readings for all students:
preparation of selected chapters (1–4) from: S. Müller (2014), Modalpartikeln, Heidelberg, Universitätsverlag Winter;
preparation of sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, and 3.9 from: Cognola, F. / Moroni, C. (2022), Le particelle modali del tedesco. Caratteristiche formali, proprietà pragmatiche ed equivalenti funzionali in italiano, Rome, Carocci Editore.
Attending students: course handouts and materials provided by the instructor during the course.
D. Mazza (2013), La lingua tedesca. La storia, i testi, Carocci (Chapter 5 and Further Reading 1 and 2) (+ additional texts to be agreed upon with the instructor during the course);
Non-attending students: will prepare the texts listed in the specific bibliography:
K. Brinker (2005), Linguistische Textanalyse. Eine Einführung in Begriffe und Methoden, Erich Schmidt Verlag (Chapters 1, 2, 3–3.3, 4.4, 5–5.3);
D. Mazza (2013), La lingua tedesca. La storia, i testi, Carocci (Chapter 5 and Further Reading 1 and 2) (+ reading and analysis of 5 texts chosen by the student);
E. M. Thüne, I. Elter, S. Leonardi (2005), Le lingue tedesche: per una descrizione sociolinguistica, Graphis (Chapters 3–5);
M. Costa / M. Foschi (2017), Grammatica del tedesco parlato, Pisa, Pisa University Press (Chapters 3–4).
Additional reference texts:
Fandrych, C. / Thurmair, M. (2025), Deutsch im Gebrauch: mündlich – schriftlich – medial. Grundlagen und Vermittlung, ESV.
K. Kassel / S. Reimann (2017), Basiswissen Deutsche Gegenwartssprache, Francke Verlag.
Preliminary oral examination
The preliminary oral examination, aimed at assessing language competence, will focus on two texts chosen from a set of five proposed texts and on one film chosen by the candidate.
The texts will be published on Kiro during the course and in due time for exam preparation.
preparation of selected chapters (1–4) from: S. Müller (2014), Modalpartikeln, Heidelberg, Universitätsverlag Winter;
preparation of sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, and 3.9 from: Cognola, F. / Moroni, C. (2022), Le particelle modali del tedesco. Caratteristiche formali, proprietà pragmatiche ed equivalenti funzionali in italiano, Rome, Carocci Editore.
Attending students: course handouts and materials provided by the instructor during the course.
D. Mazza (2013), La lingua tedesca. La storia, i testi, Carocci (Chapter 5 and Further Reading 1 and 2) (+ additional texts to be agreed upon with the instructor during the course);
Non-attending students: will prepare the texts listed in the specific bibliography:
K. Brinker (2005), Linguistische Textanalyse. Eine Einführung in Begriffe und Methoden, Erich Schmidt Verlag (Chapters 1, 2, 3–3.3, 4.4, 5–5.3);
D. Mazza (2013), La lingua tedesca. La storia, i testi, Carocci (Chapter 5 and Further Reading 1 and 2) (+ reading and analysis of 5 texts chosen by the student);
E. M. Thüne, I. Elter, S. Leonardi (2005), Le lingue tedesche: per una descrizione sociolinguistica, Graphis (Chapters 3–5);
M. Costa / M. Foschi (2017), Grammatica del tedesco parlato, Pisa, Pisa University Press (Chapters 3–4).
Additional reference texts:
Fandrych, C. / Thurmair, M. (2025), Deutsch im Gebrauch: mündlich – schriftlich – medial. Grundlagen und Vermittlung, ESV.
K. Kassel / S. Reimann (2017), Basiswissen Deutsche Gegenwartssprache, Francke Verlag.
Preliminary oral examination
The preliminary oral examination, aimed at assessing language competence, will focus on two texts chosen from a set of five proposed texts and on one film chosen by the candidate.
The texts will be published on Kiro during the course and in due time for exam preparation.
Contents
During the course we will analyse and discuss: 1) the principles of coherence and cohesion at the textual level, with special attention to complex structures, ambiguity and contrastive perspective, focusing on the different textual functions and their specific structures; 2) the variants of the German language in the different contexts of use and in the different pragmatic performances; 3) analysis of spoken language and German modal particles. The analysis tools developed in class will be tested on a wide range of authentic texts, Non-participating students will have to demonstrate a good knowledge of the topics of the programme. They will have to prepare for the examination of the additional readings (see bibliography). The 'didattica integrativa' with C.E.L.(Collaboratori ed esperti linguistici), lasts one year and aims to develop: 1) for students in the IIA group, the language, grammar, writing, listening and conversation skills at B1 level; 2) for students in the IIB group, the skills at B2 / C1 level, depending on their starting level.
Course Language
Italian and German
More information
In the event of particular need for students unable to attend lectures, teaching strategies (student reception, online materials) will be adopted on a case-by-case basis as appropriate to enable students to pass the test to the best of their ability.
International students or incoming Erasmus students are encouraged to contact the lecturers promptly. For students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD), examination arrangements will be made in agreement with the lecturer(s), in accordance with the provisions of the relevant offices.
Degrees
Degrees
MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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