Module Details

Module Code: LANG7002
Title: German Business & Culture
Long Title: German Business & Culture
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 2220 - Languages
Module Delivered in: 4 programme(s)
Module Description: This module focuses on starting work in a new German-speaking company and dealing with customer complaints. The organisational structure of German companies is also covered during this module. Further themes include workplace equipment and instructions, internal communication methods, basic product descriptions, and taking phone messages.
The student’s range of vocabulary for both everyday and business interactions will be widened. The Cultural Studies component focuses on the study of modern literature such as poems and short stories, as well as the study of German film.
Completion of this module results in attaining a level comparable to that of CEFR Level A2.2 (also commonly referred to A2+).
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 describe films, short stories or poems that are of cultural significance in the German-speaking regions;
LO2 comprehend spoken German in everyday and business contexts at intermediate level;
LO3 speak in the present tense and the past tenses in business and everyday situations requiring negotiation and resolution;
LO4 write extended paragraphs, projects, letters and emails in German;
LO5 analyse and discuss intermediate-level authentic texts in German.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
Prior completion of CEFR level A2.1 (lower level A2) in German.
 
Indicative Content
German Cultural Studies
Film Studies: Die Welle. German Business Culture: Giving a tour of your company; entertaining business guests; letter and email writing etiquette in everyday and business German.
Listening Skills
Role-playing; audio materials; film materials.
Speaking Skills
Group and paired dramatic role-playing, including role plays based on working in a German environment; discussion of German-language films and news items.
Writing Skills
Writing letters (or emails) in the Present Tense, the Future Tense, the Imperfect Tense and the Pluperfect Tense. Use of main and relative clauses in sentence construction. Use of the Subjunctive in business letter-writing. Translation of reasonably complex English-German and German-English texts.
Reading Skills
Reading moderately complex authentic texts (such as longer newspaper, internet or magazine articles, recruitment advertisements or letters from prospective employers) in German.
Grammar
Specific revision areas of grammar: relative pronouns and relative clauses; articles, negation, reflexive pronouns, the Passive.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 20
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Participation
Assessment Type Open-book Examination % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 4 Learning Outcomes 1,4,5
Assessment Description
Film Studies essay: Die Welle ---- Prepared, supervised in-class essay (350-400 words) in German. Dictionary usage allowed.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 2
Assessment Description
Listening test
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
In-class test
Assessment Type Oral Examination/Interview % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Individual oral exam: General language and language for the workplace (role plays)
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Speaking, listening, reading, writing, Landeskunde Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Language lab Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent revision of language structures and vocabulary; independent project research and writing Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Speaking, listening, reading, writing, Landeskunde Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Language lab Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Learning Non Contact Independent revision of language structures and vocabulary; independent project research and writing Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Becker, Norbert & Jörg Braunert. (2017), Alltag, Beruf & Co A2/2, Chapters 6-10 only, Hueber, [ISBN: 9783194015906].
  • Gieler, P.. (2018), Austria - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture, Kuperard, [ISBN: 9781857338676].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Oxford University Press. (2006), Oxford-Duden German-English Dictionary, [ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-0-19-861435-7].
  • Norbert Becker, Jorg Braunert, Wolfram Schlenker. (2004), Unternehmen Deutsch Grundkurs Lehrbuch, (Chapters 9-10), Klett (Ernst) Verlag,Stuttgart, p.189, [ISBN: 9783126757409].
  • Braunert. (2005), Unternehmen Deutsch Lehrbuch _Aufbaukurs, (Chapter 1 only), Klett, p.215, [ISBN: 9783126757454].
  • Roraff, Susan & Julie Krejci. (2001), Culture Shock! Austria: a guide to customs and etiquette, Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, Portland, Oregon, [ISBN: 1-55868-591-X].
  • Hampshire, David. (2015), Living and Working in Switzerland: A Survival Handbook, Survival Books Ltd., London, [ISBN: 9781909282599].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BIBLA_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in International Business with Language 2 Group Elective 1
CR_FTRSM_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Tourism Management 6 Elective
CR_FTOUR_7 Bachelor of Business in Tourism Management 6 Elective
CR_BGBPS_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Global Business and Pilot Studies 2 Elective